Financial Inclusion Unlocked podcast

Jonathan Jones is an NFL cornerback for the Washington Commanders who rose from the undrafted ranks to become two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, a businessman, philanthropist, and licensed pilot. In 2019, Jonathan founded the Jonathan Jones Next Step Foundation in 2019, a platform dedicated to empowering youth through education, professional development, and mentorship. The foundation works to alleviate food insecurity, promote women in stem and sports, and to promote professional development in the communities where he lives. Jay and Jonathan talk about investing in the communities they live in, acknowledging the people who helped you become the person you are, and paying that same investment forward to the next generation. Episode Chapters 0:00 intro 1:24 Building local connections 4:25 Jonathan’s mentors and mentees 10:54 Jonathan’s pride in his mentees’ successes 13:04 how Jonathan chooses his causes 14:08 Jonathan’s support for girls and young women 17:19: Jonathan’s passion for flying 19:40 The Next Step Foundation 20:29 Goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight , in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at www.jayruderman.com .…

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S1 EP8 - Tackling the $170 BILLION annual financing gap for smallholder farmers with Tim Strong, Head of Agricultural Finance at Opportunity International 43:41

2 päivää sitten43:41

43:41

Smallholder farmers are the backbone of Africa's agricultural sector, producing 80% of the region's food supply. In this episode, we met with Tim Strong, Head of Agricultural Finance for Opportunity International to discuss how financial inclusion can be a vehicle for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve their goals. Guest: Timothy Strong , Head of Agricultural Finance at Opportunity International USA The episode covered: The $170 billion annual financing gap facing smallholder farmers The role of smallholders in producing 80% of food supply in low-and middle-income nations How Opportunity International's network of 1,347 Farmer Support Agents (FSAs) has connected over 280,000 smallholder farmers with vital support The GROW Strategy for empowering women in agriculture, who make up 80% of the agricultural workforce in low-income countries Innovation through UlangiziAI chatbot - providing instant agricultural advice in English and Chichewa Climate resilience and economic challenges facing smallholder farmers Blended finance models to de-risk agricultural investments Tim Strong Timothy Strong serves as the Head of Agriculture Finance for Opportunity International. In addition to managing a diverse portfolio of agriculture finance products and services throughout Africa, he has spearheaded Opportunity’s efforts to implement and mainstream gender-inclusive services to empower women in farming. Tim is originally from Northern California and has worked in Southern and Eastern Africa since 2005. Before joining Opportunity, Tim worked with a Silicon Valley start-up coordinating Lean and Kaizen project management, the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Services, the U.S. Peace Corps, the Clinton Foundation, and several commercial farms. He received a Bachelor in Science in biochemistry and plant physiology from the University of California at Davis, and he holds a master’s degree in environmental policy and an MBA in operations management from Middlebury College. He lives with his family in Lilongwe, Malawi. For further information on the initiatives discussed in the episode, visit the following links: Opportunity International Agricultural Finance - Website Ulangizi AI Chatbot - NVIDIA Developer Blog AI is helping the worlds poorest farmers improve yields - Bloomberg Article Financial Inclusion Unlocked is a podcast on a journey to learn how we can unlock the potential of financial inclusion as an enabler for the 17 UN SDGs. This show is produced by SIJ Media , and Series 1 is sponsored by SCBF . Join our community and access exclusive content for this episode on Linkedin at SIJ Media. Connect with host Jack Farren on Linkedin or jack@sijmedia.com…

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S1 EP7 - How GSMA and Visa are advancing Digital Financial Literacy in Africa 40:10

2 päivää sitten40:10

40:10

The adoption of digital financial services, or DFS has created significant impact for underserved communities across the world. The United Nations states that inclusive digital financial services have allowed individuals to store and increase savings, cope with unexpected economic shocks, access social benefits more cheaply, and make investments in economic opportunities that can lead them out of poverty. However, whilst the adoption of DFS has the potential for transformative impact, digital financial literacy is a critical topic that needs to be addressed to ensure that individuals can use these platforms and tools safely. In Episode 7 of the Financial Inclusion Unlocked podcast, we met leading experst to discuss the topic in more detail and learn how GSMA and Visa are collaborating on a new Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) initiative in Kenya and Senegal. Guests: - Panos Loukos , Director - Financial Inclusion at GSMA - Jenelle Harris , Head of Financial Education at Visa The episode covered: Introduction to Digital Financial Services The Role of GSMA in expanding Digital Financial Literacy Visa's Commitment to Financial Education Collaboration in Kenya and Senegal Localization and Cultural Relevance in Content Delivery Gamification and Incentives Panos Loukos: Panos is Director, Financial Inclusion for the GSMA Mobile Money and AgriTech programmes. He leads GSMA’s partnership with Visa that has the objective to develop mobile-enabled financial education and drive scale among the unbanked and underserved in low- and middle-income countries. Panos also leads AgriTech’s insights function and is responsible for developing and delivering the programme’s learning agenda. Before joining the GSMA in 2015, Panos spent several years in leading analyst and consultancy firms with a special focus on mobile operators’ digital strategies. Panos holds a Master’s degree in Plant Science from Imperial College London and an MBA degree from the University of Manchester. Jenelle Harris: Jenelle is an Atlanta-based social impact strategist leading Visa’s Financial Education program. Prior to joining Visa, Jenelle led consulting teams as a Senior Manager with The Bridgespan Group, a social sector advisory firm. Driven by her commitment to contributing to a more just and equitable world, Jenelle began her career in education, including several years as a middle school teacher. She received her MBA from UC Berkeley Haas. For further information on the initiatives discussed in the episode, visit: GSMA Resources: Mobile Money Program Mobile for Development Visa Financial Education Resources: Practical Money Skills : Practical Business Skills Financial Inclusion Unlocked is a podcast on a journey to learn how we can unlock the potential of financial inclusion as an enabler for the 17 UN SDGs. This show is produced by SIJ Media , and Series 1 is sponsored by SCBF . Join our community and access exclusive content for this episode on Linkedin. Connect with host Jack Farren on Linkedin or jack@sijmedia.com…

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S1 EP6 - Supporting Countries to Prepare and Respond Quickly to Climate Disasters with Nilesh Prakhash, Co-Director of Global Shield against Climate Risks 37:15

3 päivää sitten37:15

37:15

When climate disasters strike, the world's most vulnerable communities often face devastating financial losses. In an era of increasing climate risks, traditional disaster response isn't enough. Communities need financial solutions that put them in control of their recovery. In Episode 6 of the Financial Inclusion Unlocked Podcast, we met with Nilesh Prakhash, Co-Director of the Global Shield against Climate Risks, to explore how locally led Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance solutions, or CDRFI, are increasing resilience. Nilesh shares his extensive experience in climate finance, explains the concept of CDRFI, the importance of pre-arranged financing, and the inclusive in-country processes that the Global Shield deploys to engage various stakeholders in assessing financial protection gaps in climate-vulnerable countries. Nilesh highlights successful examples, particularly the implementation of Ghana's tailored support package, including the recent payout of a drought insurance policy, and outlines the challenges and opportunities for local stakeholders within the Global Shield framework. Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in February 2025. Therefore, some of the content from the episode may have changed at the time of release. For the most up-to-date information on the work of the Global Shield, visit the website and follow the Global Shield on LinkedIn . The initiative is no longer active on X. Financial Inclusion Unlocked is a podcast on a journey to learn how we can unlock the potential of financial inclusion. This show is produced by SIJ Media , and Series 1 is sponsored by SCBF . Join our community and access exclusive content for this episode on Linkedin. Connect with host Jack Farren on Linkedin or jack@sijmedia.com…

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S1 EP5 - A New Approach to Financial Inclusion with Sophie Sirtaine, CEO of CGAP 30:29

21 päivää sitten30:29

30:29

The way that we view and define financial inclusion continues to evolve. Not only is financial inclusion measured on purely “access” but on how it can be a vehicle to accelerate the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. In this episode, we meet with Sophie Sirtaine, the Chief Executive Officer of CGAP, to discuss what the future of financial inclusion looks like. CGAP is an international partnership housed in the World Bank Group, dedicated to promoting inclusive financial ecosystems that enable a green, resilient, and equitable world for all. She shared crucial insights on the new Financial Inclusion 2.0 initiative, how financial inclusion can build resilience against economic and climate shocks, and the potential of digital micro-pension schemes. Episode 5 Guest: - Sophie Sirtaine , Chief Executive Officer at CGAP The episode covered: Sophie's Career Overview The changing definition of Financial Inclusion How financial inclusion can build resilience against economic and climate shocks CGAP’s Financial Inclusion 2.0 Initiative The potential of digital micro-pension schemes Advice for innovators working on financial inclusion Financial Inclusion Unlocked is a podcast on a journey to learn how we can unlock the potential of financial inclusion. This show is produced by SIJ Media , and Series 1 is sponsored by SCBF. Join our community and access exclusive content for this episode on Linkedin . Connect with host Jack Farren on Linkedin or jack@sijmedia.com…

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S1 EP4 - The Transformative Power of Saving Groups with Jeff Ashe 36:00

21 päivää sitten36:00

36:00

From Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to ROSCAs and Cuchubales, community-based financial groups have a long history of empowering individuals. Whether it’s for personal development or economic resilience, saving groups have been a cornerstone of financial inclusion for centuries. In this episode, we met with Jeff Ashe, a financial inclusion expert, author and lecturer with over 45 years experience in the sector. Jeff was previously a Senior Associate Director at Accion International, Executive Director at Working Capital, Director of Community Finance at Oxfam America and is now both the Executive Director at Grassroots Finance Action and an Adjunct Associate Professor lecturing on microfinance and financial inclusion at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. The episode covered: Overview and History of Saving Groups Jeff's transition from working in microfinance to saving groups Impact of Oxfam America's Save for Change programme 9 Principles for a Saving Group Initiaitive Digitisation of Saving Groups Backyard Bankers in the USA Featuring Cindy, Saving Group Leader Financial Inclusion Unlocked is a podcast on a journey to learn how we can unlock the potential of financial inclusion as an enabler for the 17 UN SDGs. This show is produced by SIJ Media , and Series 1 is sponsored by SCBF. Join our community and access exclusive content for this episode on Linkedin . Connect with host Jack Farren on Linkedin or jack@sijmedia.com…

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S1 EP1 - The Potential of Fast Payments with The World Bank 27:43

5 weeks sitten27:43

27:43

In the first episode of the new Financial Inclusion Unlocked podcast, Jack met with Thomas Yann Piveteau, Financial Sector Specialist at The World Bank to learn about Project FASTT . Thomas explained the objectives of the project, which aims to develop fast payment systems globally. The discussion covers the benefits of these systems, the role of central banks, challenges in implementation, and the comparison between fast payment systems and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Thomas also highlights the global adoption of fast payment systems and future trends in the payment landscape. Check out the article mentioned in the episode on Fast Payment Systems vs CBDCs by World Bank and BIS here Financial Inclusion Unlocked is a podcast on a journey to learn how we can unlock the potential of financial inclusion as an enabler for the 17 UN SDGs. This show is produced by SIJ Media , and Series 1 is sponsored by SCBF. Join our community and access exclusive content for this episode on Linkedin…

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S1 EP2 - How Parametric Insurance is Protecting Communities in Fiji Against Cyclones and Flooding 29:03

5 weeks sitten29:03

29:03

With the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events increasing, Small Island Developing States (SIDs) are bearing the brunt of climate change, facing a growing number of threats including cyclones, floods, and rising sea levels. For instance, Fiji alone has seen devastating impacts from cyclones like Cyclone Winston in 2016 , which the World Bank stated caused over $1.4 billion in damage—around 20% of the country’s GDP . As communities in Small Island Developing States experience these challenges firsthand, climate risk insurance is emerging as a potential tool to help families and local businesses recover more quickly and build resilience. In this episode, Jack met with industry experts to learn about how parametric insurance can be deployed and also learnt about PICAP (the Pacific Insurance Climate Adaptation Programme). Guests: Matt Genazzini , Executive Director at Microinsurance Network Krishnan Narasimhan , Lead Specialist CDRFI at United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Sinja Buri , Team Lead Climate Risk Finance Solutions at Munich Climate Insurance Initiative , housed at UNU-EHS Felichya Whippy-Khan , Product Owner Parametric Insurance at Tower Insurance in Fiji. Learn more about the Cyclone Insurance cover discussed with Felichya in the episode here Financial Inclusion Unlocked is a podcast on a journey to learn how we can unlock the potential of financial inclusion as an enabler for the 17 UN SDGs. This show is produced by SIJ Media , and Series 1 is sponsored by SCBF. Join our community and access exclusive content for this episode on Linkedin . Connect with host Jack Farren on Linkedin or jack@sijmedia.com…

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S1 EP3 - How a Bank In Uganda Is Providing Access To Finance For Refugees 20:40

5 weeks sitten20:40

20:40

Uganda is the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa, with over 1.7 million refugees and asylum seekers in the country. For those arriving in Uganda, accessing basic financial services has been incredibly difficult due to a lack of legal documentation, collateral and inadequate banking infrastructure. In this episode, we met with two leading experts representing Opportunity Bank Uganda Limited (OBUL) and Opportunity International UK (OIUK). Guests: - Amos Bonna , Chief Relationship Officer at Opportunity Bank Uganda Ltd - Noah Ssempijja , Country Lead Refugee Financial Inclusion Programme at Opportunity International UK The episode covered: Barriers for refugees in the country in accessing financial services Collaboration between OIUK and OBUL How OBUL opened their first branch in a refugee settlement How the bank serves refugees in settlements and urban areas How the bank customise its products to cater to the needs of refugees? Delivering financial literacy trainings Financial Inclusion Unlocked is a podcast on a journey to learn how we can unlock the potential of financial inclusion as an enabler for the 17 UN SDGs. This show is produced by SIJ Media , and Series 1 is sponsored by SCBF. Join our community and access exclusive content for this episode on Linkedin . Connect with host Jack Farren on Linkedin or jack@sijmedia.com…

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Series 1 Trailer! 1:50

6 weeks sitten1:50

1:50

Financial Inclusion Unlocked is launching on 24th March!! The new podcast series is on a journey to learn how we can unlock the potential of financial inclusion as an enabler for the 17 UN SDGs. From the heights of Uganda's Rwenzori Mountains to the islands of Fiji, we're uncovering stories of breakthrough solutions covering topics from parametric insurance protecting communities against cyclones to innovative solutions empowering refugee entrepreneurs and instant payments. Financial Inclusion Unlocked is hosted by Jack Farren, a social entrepreneur in the financial inclusion sector that is passionate about amplifying these stories. This show is produced by SIJ Media (www.sijmedia.com), and our first 10-episode series is sponsored by the Swiss Capacity Building Facility (www.scbf.ch) Follow "SIJ Media" on Linkedin for daily highlights and for the chance to take part in our competitions and giveaways. The Full Episode List in Series 1 is below: Thomas Yann Pivetau, Financial Sector Expert, World Bank Group (Episode 1) Krishnan Narasimhan, Lead CDRFI Specialist, UNCDF (Episode 2) Sinja Buri, Team Lead Climate Risk Finance Solutions, MCII (UNU-EHS) (Episode 2) Felichya Khan, Product Owner Parametric Insurance Tower Insurance Fiji (Episode 2) Matthew Genazzini, Executive Director, Microinsurance Network (Episode 2) Amos Bonna, Chief Relationship Officer, Opportunity Bank Uganda Limited (Episode 3) Noah Ssempijja, Country Lead Refugee Financial Inclusion Programme, Opportunity International UK (Episode 3) Jeff Ashe, Adjunct Associate Professor, Columbia University (Episode 4) Sophie Sirtaine, CEO, CGAP (Episode 5) Nilesh Prakhash, Co-Director, Global Shield Against Climate Risks (Episode 6) Panos Loukos, Director Financial Inclusion, GSMA (Episode 7) Jenelle Harris, Head of Financial Education, Visa (Episode 7) Tim Strong, Head of AgFinance, Opportunity International (Episode 8) Garance Wattez-Richard, Founder and CEO, AXA EssentiALL (Episode 9) Lillian Nassanga Musoka, Co-Founder and COO, Emata (Episode 10) Maren Hald Bjørgum, Chief Communications Officer, Emata (Episode 10) Kifula Collins, Field Officer, Agri Evolve (Episode 10)…

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Professional football player Jonathan Jones: Mentorship and Making an Impact in Your Community 22:49