Joan Trant is Executive Director of the International Association of Microfinance Investors (IAMFI), a global membership organization that helps commercially oriented microfinance investors leverage capital more effectively to achieve financial and social returns. Joan’s responsibilities encompass recruiting and serving Association members, overseeing research, developing educational and networking events, conducting outreach to industry leaders and managing the day-to-day operations of the organization. She is a featured speaker at conferences and has written several articles on microfinance investing for various publications.
Previously, Joan served as Deputy Executive Director of The Resource Foundation for nine years, with the objective to empower needy communities in Latin America by cultivating productive relationships with U.S. donors and in-country nonprofits to increase self-reliance and living standards. Under her leadership, The Resource Foundation exceeded 20% annual growth and supported the community-building programs of 120 nonprofit organizations and transformed microfinance institutions in 20 Latin American and Caribbean nations, benefiting annually 4.6 million disadvantaged children, youths, women and men.
Prior to The Resource Foundation, for 15 years Joan held various sales and operations management positions in the financial services industry at Bankers Trust (1993-1997) and Citibank (1982-1993). In these roles, she focused on investment management and retail banking for high net worth individuals in the Mexican, Argentine and Spanish markets, managing a combined investment portfolio totaling $225 million.
Joan is a graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business Executive Level Nonprofit Management Certification Program. She holds a bachelors degree from Georgetown University where she graduated magna cum laude, concentrating in Latin American studies. Joan volunteers for Georgetown University’s Alumni Services and NYC Alumni College. She is a member of the New York Chapter of Women Advancing Microfinance. Joan is based in New York City.