Professor Muhammad Yunus Named One of        "The 12 Greatest Entrepreneurs" We are pleased to announce that Professor Yunus has been named one of “The 12 Greatest Entrepreneurs of Our Time” by Fortune® in April’s cover story. Professor Yunus is the only social entrepreneur in this group of innovative luminaries who have “changed the face of business” including Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and John Mackey (Whole Foods Market). We salute Professor Yunus’ achievements as he continues to transform business, society and the lives of millions of our neighbors living in poverty. Read full story HERE.

I recently came across a Forbes Op-Ed Piece, “The US is a Very Entrepreneurial Economy: It Just Doesn’t Have Many Entrepreneurs” by Tim Worstall. Based on the numbers, the US has fewer startups, fewer small businesses, and fewer one-man businesses than in Europe. While the US has many more, what he dubs, “’innovative entrepreneurs’”, those who introduce a new product to change the world, the US falls far behind in self-employment.

Yet, burgeoning entrepreneurs walk into Grameen America's doors every day.

The US has an abundance of entrepreneurs whom lack the financial resources to bring their ideas to market. With over 50 million people in the US unbanked or underbanked, access to startup capital is a socio-economic privilege.

Maybe not all Grameen America clients have the vision and skills to become an “innovative entrepreneur”, but with greater financial inclusion, they just might surprise you!

Baily is a rock within Grameen America. With her vibrant personality and go-getter attitude, Baily exudes the essence of social entrepreneurship!

Meet Baily:

What is your role as an Advisory Board Member? What compelled you to get involved?


Microfinance!! Here in the US!!! Are you kidding me?! Whoohooo!! This was my first reaction to learning about Grameen America. I was as shocked to learn that the Bangladeshi model worked here in the US as I was thrilled for the implications for impoverished Americans. As an Advisory Board Member, I endeavor to tap into all of my abilities and resources to support Grameen America in achieving that scale.

How did you become involved in the microfinance space?

I first learned about microfinance while working at Lehman Brothers in the late 2000s. I loved Lehman (I did!), but, I realized that I was looking for something greater to believe in. I joined a number of the professional microfinance networks in NYC and became enamored of private sector concepts of poverty alleviation and economic transformation more broadly.

What is one fact most people would never guess about you?

I'm a mountain climber! Or I'm a New Yorker! One or the other manages to surprise people. Truth is, I was born and raised in Manhattan, but my soul is in the mountains. Recently I have gotten hooked on more technical mountaineering, ice climbing, and rock climbing.

Where do you envision Grameen America will be in 10 years time?

- 100,000 borrowers, $100 MM loan portfolio

- 30 US branches

- 98%+ repayment and small savings products

- Attract private sector talent and "home-grow" branch managers

- Strategic partnerships with top US banks - on a non-exclusive basis

- Take bets on financial innovation, such as mobile banking technology

- Loan officers are top university graduates

- GA Brand = borrower first, pride and honor, upward mobility, transformation, measurable success


Too much to ask? ;-)

This week’s Mocha Monday spotlight’s Echoing Green. Echoing Green accelerates social change by investing in social entrepreneurs who work to solve social, environmental, economic, and political inequities. Through Echoing Green’s innovative approach, all individuals are given access to reach their potential. 

Check out the 2011 Fellows and see which project speaks to you. Our pick—Equal Opportunity Schools. Addressing the education gap which develops from academic tracking, EOS ensures all students are enrolled in classes of appropriate academic rigor.