The past two years have been extremely challenging — and transformational — for the field of inclusive finance. As vulnerable small businesses, microentrepreneurs, and families continue to face extreme difficulties caused by the pandemic, frontline financial service providers have rapidly evolved to meet their shifting needs.

Leaders in the inclusive finance field have:

• Embraced new digital tools and helped their clients do the same,
• Adapted innovative fintech solutions to support struggling small businesses,
• Navigated liquidity crunches jeopardizing millions of jobs,
• Shifted to remote work and supported staff coping with stress, and
• Worked to build financial resilience amid a global recovery that is increasingly unequal.

Gain valuable insights at a critical time

In this extraordinary environment, and after a two-year hiatus, we are very excited to resume the Harvard Business School (HBS)-Accion Program on Strategic Leadership in Inclusive Finance this April, at the HBS campus in Boston. As of January 19, 2022, applications to join the 2022 cohort are now open.

The program is led by faculty cochairs Kash Rangan and Michael Chu, and involves guest lectures by renowned HBS faculty experts on international business, strategy, and management. Kash Rangan is a co-founder and faculty co-chair of the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative, and teaches extensively in HBS’s MBA and executive education programs. Michael Chu is a senior lecturer in the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative and is also a co-founder and partner of IGNIA Fund. Both lead the HBS MBA course, “Business at the Base of the Pyramid.”

This intensive, six-day experience is an invaluable opportunity for leaders from e-commerce and consumer goods firms, fintechs, banks, regulators and policymakers, microfinance institutions and nonprofit organizations, to engage with respected experts on business management and strategy during a pivotal moment for our sector — and learn from experiences on the front lines of digital transformation during the pandemic.

The HBS-Accion program will take place on Harvard Business School’s campus in Boston, Massachusetts. The program applies the famed HBS case study methodology to immerse participants in real world scenarios that combine strategic thinking with advancements in financial inclusion and impact investing, including the latest developments seen during the pandemic. Participants come away with lifelong connections, friendships, and new perspectives.

As our sector continues to rapidly evolve, now is an excellent time to gain skills and insights that empower providers and their vulnerable clients to build a stronger, more resilient future.

Learn more about the program and how to apply here.