George Conard

George Conard is Director of the Mifos Initiative at Grameen Foundation, leading the team building an open source software platform for the global microfinance industry. A recognized expert on the use of technology to enable the growth and evolution of microfinance and other means of alleviating poverty, George frequently speaks at industry events and advises key stakeholders in the microfinance community on the effective use of technology. Prior to his work on the Mifos Initiative, George lived in Rwanda and worked to establish the Grameen Foundation’s Village Phone program, culminating in the formation of Village Phone Rwanda SARL, a for-profit joint venture between Grameen Foundation and telecommunications company MTN. George served on the board of Village Phone Rwanda and is a founding board member of the Seattle-based non-profit theater company Shady Lane Productions. George brings more than 15 years of technology management experience to the team, including seven years with Microsoft in international marketing and product development roles, and has consulted for organizations including Microsoft, the Asia Foundation, and Digital Partners.

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