Next week we have the privilege of discussing how microfinance is changing the lives of women around the world. We’ve got a pretty dynamic panel coming to this as well. Below, you’ll find their bios and thus, have the chance to learn more about them as we prepare for next week. We look forward to talking with you next Monday from 12pm-2pm CST! Spread the word!

Panelist: Ruth-Anne Renaud (rarenaud), Vice President of Women’s Philanthropy and Interactive Marketing,Opportunity International

Ruth-Anne brings more than 20 years experience in providing strategic direction and integrated marketing programs that increase brand equity, expand targeted customer bases, generate revenue and enhance customer and channel relationships. In this position at Opportunity, Ruth-Anne is responsible for leading our online communications team, website strategy, and social media efforts. Leveraging our OptINnow.org platform, Ruth-Anne and the team are creating new ways to maximize the online donation experience enabling new and existing Opportunity supporters to help fund client loans and support strategic microfinance projects. In addition, Ruth-Anne is responsible for developing and supporting fundraising strategies designed to cultivate women donors and meet their special needs and interests. She works with the Women’s Opportunity Network, a key constituent group within Opportunity International, to raise funds for women’s needs, programs and leadership development, and with the Opportunity International Network to connect women donors to program initiatives in the field.

Ruth-Anne holds a bachelor of arts degree in government and law from Lafayette College in Easton, Penn.  She also completed executive courses at the Northwestern, Duke and Penn State University business schools as part of an AT&T management mentoring program. Ruth-Anne was recently appointed to the board of Women Advancing Microfinance (WAM) International. Ruth-Anne lives in Chicago, is a docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation and leads tours of historic and cultural landmarks, modern skyscrapers and Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Oak Park, Illinois.

Panelist: A Representative from 7Bar Foundation (@Sevenbar)

The 7Bar Foundation is leading a change in the field of philanthropy with business models for social impact. With our philanthropic brands, we are spearheading these models to create consistent funding for female driven microfinance initiatives.

Panelist: Sheethal Shobowale (@lethalsheethal), Founder, Leap Work

A native New Yorker, Sheethal Shobowale attended Columbia University for both her undergraduate degree in Economics-Mathematics and her graduate degree in Strategic Communications. She worked as an investment banking analyst for Fox-Pitt Kelton and as an investment management analyst for Columbia Investment Management Company (the University endowment).  After earning her Master’s degree, she managed the data, analytics and research group of Media Contacts New York, an online media agency, and worked with several Fortune 500 and other large advertisers across varied industries.

Combining her passions for social change, technology and community building, she recently founded Leap Work, a consultancy that works with non-profits and small businesses in their online marketing communications.

Sheethal also spends time volunteering at a local credit union, teaching financial literacy to youth and adults and coordinating her local block association. She is an avid rock climber, rooftop gardener, international travel fanatic and foodie who loves living in Brooklyn.

Sheethal is currently serving as a Kiva Fellow at microfinance institution Asociación Arariwa in Cusco, Peru and will move to La Paz, Bolivia in the new year to continue to serve as a Kiva Fellow with microfinance institution Emprender.

Moderator: Julie Soforenko (@JulieSof, @ACCION_USA), Online Community Manager,ACCION USA

Julie is the Online Community Manager for ACCION USA where she engages and collaborates with people passionate about small business and microfinance. She believes that every person has the power to create social change.