Janine Firpo

Janine Firpo has a diverse work experience in the finance and social impact sectors. Starting in 2000, they worked as a Director at Hewlett-Packard Company, where they focused on developing sustainable solutions for emerging markets. In 2005, they co-founded and served as the President of Sevak Solutions, a non-profit organization that aimed to improve financial services for the urban and rural poor.

From 2008 to 2012, Janine worked at the IFC - International Finance Corporation, where they held roles as a Mobile Money Expert and East Asia & Pacific Mobile Banking Consultant. During this time, they supported the development of a global e-payments business line and provided consultancy services on regulatory analysis, feasibility assessments, and partnership opportunities.

In 2009, Janine became the Executive Director of XSProject, a non-profit based in Jakarta, Indonesia, which transformed into a sustainable triple-bottom line enterprise. Janine focused on designing consumer products from waste materials and using sales proceeds to provide educational scholarships to disadvantaged children.

From 2012 to 2017, Janine worked as the Deputy Director of Financial Services at Scale at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Their responsibilities included accelerating and deepening the penetration of digital financial services in developing markets, using a combination of grants and investment vehicles.

In 2017, Janine joined Next Wave Impact as a Lead Investor, contributing to the growth of women's participation in angel investing. Janine helped build a diversified portfolio of investments that provided social, environmental, and financial returns.

Since 2019, Janine has held various roles in organizations focused on promoting women's financial empowerment and equitable access to capital. Janine served as an Instructor at Women with Capital, a Board Member at Zebras Unite, a Co-Founder at Invest for Better, and an Author of Activate Your Money, a book providing foundational support for women to take control of their money and become confident investors.

Overall, Janine Firpo has a wealth of experience in advocating for financial inclusion, women's empowerment, and social impact in the finance industry.

Janine Firpo earned their Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biology from UCLA, where they studied from 1974 to 1978. Janine then pursued further education and completed their Master's degree (MS) in Zoology/Computer Science from the University of Florida, attending from 1979 to 1981.