I am excited to join the WorldWise Microfinance team as an intern this spring. I am currently a senior at UW-Madison studying Economics, International Studies, and Data Science. My work at WorldWise allows me to combine my degrees, applying economic theory and data analysis to real-world global challenges. My goal is to strengthen communities by empowering women through entrepreneurial loans.
Outside of my classes, I serve as co-president of the French Club, where we organize cultural outings, present on Francophone traditions, and develop language skills to foster community. I am grateful to have helped create a welcoming space on campus for Francophiles to connect and deepen their appreciation for the language and culture. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, cooking, and traveling. The past two summers I worked in Grand Teton National Park, where I spent my days trekking, swimming, and backpacking through some of America’s most beautiful wilderness.
Microfinance addresses global poverty rooted in the lack of access to financial institutions. The Grameen Bank model is particularly inspiring—it issues no-collateral loans to women, who repay these loans with the support of their peers. Unlike traditional aid, microfinance does not require collateral or place restrictions on how funds are spent, helping to avoid paternalistic approaches. Most importantly, it offers a sustainable, long-lasting solution to systemic poverty by building financial independence rather than dependency.
I am thrilled to contribute to an organization that believes so deeply in the potential of women entrepreneurs around the world. By increasing the visibility of WorldWise Microfinance, I hope to inspire others to join in making a difference in Ghana, Haiti, Kenya, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, and Uganda. I am particularly excited to leverage my French language fluency to connect with and share the stories of borrowers in Haiti and other Francophone communities. I am excited to be a part of an organization that is transforming lives and lifting entire communities out of poverty—one entrepreneurial venture at a time.