When it comes to flowing more capital to historically underfunded communities in Canada, microfinance has been a long-term channel to address the lack of access to financial resources for underfunded groups left behind by traditional financial institutions. How does microfinance help to address the access gap, and what are the barriers to advancing these solutions?

In this New Power Talk, our Partnership Manager, Merette Mathieu, joins a conversation with Alterna Savings’ Susan Henry and Windmill Microlending’s Oumar Dicko to delve into the nuances of microfinance solutions, discussing both the obstacles and the transformative impact of their initiatives.

About our speakers: 

• Susan Henry (Director, Community Impact and Financial Inclusion, Alterna Savings) was leading the launch of Alterna Savings' award-winning Community Microfinance Program and the Community Loan Funds Partnership Programs, where since its inception in 2000, over $8.6M in loans have been disbursed. 

• Oumar Dicko (National Director of Stakeholder Relations & Quebec, Windmill Microlending) is a seasoned government relations and public affairs professional, who brings years of experience helping organizations across the country build associations with all levels of government.