Washington, D.C., October 1, 2024 – Global nonprofit Accion today announced the appointment of Paulo Silva as Chief Financial Officer. Silva will lead development of the financial systems and management to support Accion’s growth, as the organization works to create a fair and inclusive economy where underserved people have quality financial choices and opportunities to improve their economic wellbeing.
Silva brings over 15 years of experience working within investment banking, asset management, and the United Nations. He joins from UNICEF where he drove financial governance, reporting, analysis, and innovative initiatives across over 190 offices around the world.
Michael Schlein, President and CEO of Accion, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Paulo Silva as Accion’s new Chief Financial Officer. With experience spanning Wall Street and the not-for-profit sector, Paulo will strengthen our financial operations and systems, as we build a platform for continued growth, bringing low-cost innovative digital solutions to the nearly 2 billion people globally who are failed by the financial system.”
“Throughout my career, I’ve seen that financial services are powerful tools to help reduce poverty and create opportunity,” said Paulo Silva. “I am excited to join the Accion team and deliver strong financial operations that support the organization’s work developing and scaling responsible digital financial solutions for underserved people globally.”
Prior to UNICEF, Silva set up and ran a management consulting business helping clients develop and optimize financial frameworks, scale operations, and implement new systems. He was previously a Vice President at Goldman Sachs, where he oversaw financial operations and strategic initiatives for the currencies sales and trading desks. He also served as Controller of Goldman Sachs Trust Company within the firm’s investment management division.
Silva has managed hedge fund operations and accounting, and started his career as an auditor at KPMG. He is a CPA and holds graduate degrees from Harvard University and Iona University. Silva previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.
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About Accion
Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the nearly two billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory solutions, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build 267 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 75 countries, reaching 440 million people. More at https://www.accion.org.
Media contact
Thessa Mooij
media@accion.org
Director of Public Relations