Vicki Escarra, Global CEO of Opportunity International, has received a Committee of 200 Annual Luminary Award for Exceptional Women. Vicki was chosen as this year’s Skills to Succeed Champion for Opportunity International’s work training women to be better entrepreneurs and leaders in 22 countries where the organization is active.

During an award ceremony today, Escarra expressed her deep gratitude for the award, and spoke about the need around the world for programs that help women succeed.

“This award means a lot to me. Thank you to C200 and Accenture for this wonderful acknowledgement of our work,” Escarra said. “We share your vision to help people develop the skills to build a business.”

“We must invest more resources in women across the developing world,” Escarra continued. “It's not only a moral imperative but a smart business decision. Closing the gender gap can increase a developing country’s GDP by up to 16 percent, according to a report by the World Economic Forum.”

The Committee of 200 Luminary Awards annually honor outstanding women for their entrepreneurial, corporate, and philanthropic innovation as well as their excellence in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. The Skills to Succeed award is given to a leader who develops a successful program to help people develop the skills to build a business.

Opportunity International provides loans and other financial services to help women around the world work their way out of poverty, transform their lives and strengthen their families and communities.