Joann de Zegher

Joann de Zegher has a diverse and extensive work experience. Joann is currently the Founder & CEO of PemPem, a company that develops mobile fintech and supply chain software for micro-enterprises in commodity supply chains. Prior to this role, from August 2020 to December 2021, they served as the Founder & President of PemPem, where they focused on supporting the transition of informal, cash-based economies into digital, technology-based ones.

In addition, Joann has held the position of Rainer Arnhold Fellow at Mulago Foundation since October 2022. Previously, they worked at MIT Sloan School of Management as the Maurice F. Strong Career Development Professor & Assistant Professor of Operations Management from July 2018 to June 2022. Their work at MIT Sloan involved designing technologies and algorithms to address supply chain challenges in developing and emerging markets, particularly informal markets.

Joann also has experience at Stanford University, where they served as a Post-doctoral Fellow from July 2017 to June 2018 and as a PhD Candidate from September 2012 to August 2017. Before that, they worked as a Research Intern in Quant Equities at APG in 2012 and as an Intern at UFF Agri Asset Management from February 2010 to August 2010.

Joann de Zegher completed their education in a chronological order, starting with their Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Econometrics and Management Science from Erasmus University Rotterdam. Joann attended this institution from 2010 to 2012.

Following that, Joann pursued a PhD at Stanford University. Their doctoral studies were focused on Operations Management & Earth Systems Analytics, and they attended Stanford from 2012 to 2017.

In terms of additional certifications, Joann obtained an Advanced Open Water Diver certification from PADI in November 2021.