Rutendo Change
Rutendo will work in Nairobi, Kenya with Juhudi Kilimo, which provides microfinance loan products that allow Kenyan smallholder farmers to access high-quality agricultural assets that enhance the productivity of their farms. Rutendo is from Zimbabwe, and worked as a portfolio manager at a financial services firm. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting Science from the University of South Africa.

Tamsin Chislett
Tamsin will work in Gulu, Uganda with Gulu Agricultural Development Company, a for-profit cotton ginnery in Northern Uganda that is providing former refugees with critical support to regain their livelihoods. Tamsin is from the United Kingdom and worked at Bain & Company as a management consultant, and she has previously worked with TechnoServe in Zimbabwe as a volunteer consultant. She holds BA in Philosophy, Politics & Economics from Oxford University.

Andrea Griffin
Andrea will work in Bangalore, India with Orb Energy, which is India’s largest direct provider of off-grid solar systems. Andrea is from the United States, and has worked as an analyst at Bear Stearns and subsequently J.P. Morgan. She has also worked with the UNDP in Senegal and as a Summer Associate with Acumen Fund in Pakistan. She holds a Master’s in International Energy Management and Policy from Columbia University’s School for International and Public Affairs, as well as a B.A. in Economics from the University of Vermont.

Naomi Inoue
Naomi will work in Nairobi, Kenya with D.light Design, a company that makes low-cost solar lights that provide cleaner, safer, and cheaper lighting to families living at the bottom of the pyramid. Naomi has a background in business development in internet business as well as e-commerce and advertisement, and has worked with Recruit Co. Ltd. and NTT Communications Corporation. She also has experience working at an NGO focused on increasing access to information and communications technology. She holds an M.A. in Responsible Management & Sustainable Economic Development from the UN Mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica.

Ghoncheh Jafarpisheh
Ghoncheh will work in Nairobi, Kenya with Sproxil, which is combating the global counterfeit drug market through a mobile product authentication technology. Ghoncheh is from Iran, and is a former project manager/engineer at a global consumer products company. She received a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois.

Cherian Joseph
Cherian will work in Mumbai, India with Dial 1298 for Ambulance, which focuses on providing affordable emergency medical response services. Cherian is from India and has a business consulting background in healthcare and retail. He has also developed innovative low cost solutions for emerging markets with the Tata Group in India. Cherian holds a M.S. in Industrial Engineering with a focus on humanitarian applications from Georgia Institute of Technology and a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from College of Engineering Pune.

Neha Kale
Neha will work in Bihar, India with Husk Power Systems, which uses innovative biomass technology to convert abundant rice husks into energy that provides power to Indian villages. Neha is from India and previously worked in international marketing for General Motors. She holds a B.S. in marketing and management from Purdue University and an MBA with a concentration in social entrepreneurship from the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University.

Sunru Yong
Sunru will work in Nairobi, Kenya with Global Easy Water Products, which provides affordable drip irrigation for small-scale farmers. Sunru is from the United States, and was a manager at Bain & Company where he has served clients across multiple industries, including consumer products, financial services, healthcare, telecom, and private equity.  He previously worked in international business development at TRG Group.  He studied History at Washington University and has an MBA from Harvard Business School.