When you think of Kiva and microfinance in general, you might picture individual entrepreneurs improving their businesses or families accessing credit for pressing everyday needs. While these types of loans are very important, one of the things that sets Kiva apart from other microfinance organizations its dedication to supporting innovation to discover new, high impact loan products. In my fellowship with Kiva Partner CIDRE in Cochabamba, Bolivia I was lucky enough to see one such innovative loan in action. Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in the world, and like many... Continue Reading >>
Raised next to the ocean on the tiny New York island of Long Beach, Katherine has always sought far-flung adventures while somehow managing to wind up at home on the beach during the summer. She studied Sociology and Visual Art at Oberlin College where she developed a great interest in collective organizing as an active member of the Oberlin College Student Cooperative Association. Since graduating, Katherine has explored opportunities in various fields including marketing, design, tech and the nonprofit sector. These varied experiences and a passion for social impact led her down the path of social enterprise, where she worked in marketing and business development at a fair trade retail organization. While visiting artisan cooperatives in South America, she saw first hand the power of income generating projects to create lasting economic growth for marginalized groups. Katherine is excited to return to South America with Kiva to help grow similarly empowering enterprises through microfinance.
Fellows Blog Posts by Katherine Leonetti
May 21, 2015
Bolivia
When you think of Kiva and microfinance in general, you might picture individual entrepreneurs improving their businesses or families accessing credit for pressing everyday needs. While these types of loans are very important, one of the things that sets Kiva apart from other microfinance organizations its dedication to supporting innovation to discover new, high impact loan products. In my fellowship with Kiva Partner CIDRE in Cochabamba, Bolivia I was lucky enough to see one such innovative loan in action. Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in the world, and like many... Continue Reading >>
When you think of Kiva and microfinance in general, you might picture individual entrepreneurs improving their businesses or families accessing credit for pressing everyday needs. While these types of loans are very important, one of the things that sets Kiva apart from other microfinance organizations its dedication to supporting innovation to discover new, high impact loan products. In my fellowship with Kiva Partner CIDRE in Cochabamba, Bolivia I was lucky enough to see one such innovative loan in action. Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in the world, and like many... Continue Reading >>