NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Mayada El-Zoghbi leads CGAP’s Strategy, Research and Development unit supporting CGAP’s role as the leading global knowledge hub on financial inclusion. As head of strategy, she is managing CGAP strategic planning processes as well as leading on new areas of research for CGAP such as women’s financial inclusion and financial services in crisis environments.   Prior to this, El-Zoghbi was head of the office for CGAP in Paris where she managed CGAP’s work with donors and investors, which included developing funder guidelines, providing advisory support to funder strategies, and supporting funder staff capacity development. She also managed CGAP’s work in the Middle East and North Africa.  Before joining CGAP, El-Zoghbi managed a development consulting firm leading its inclusive finance practice.  She led numerous technical assistance, evaluation, and research assignments and also served as a research director for a USAID knowledge management initiative on microfinance and conflict.  She holds a master’s degree in international affairs from SIPA at Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Minnesota.