Microfinance Focus, November 19, 2011: Wharton School will be hosting the third annual Women's World Banking (WWB) Advanced Leadership Program from Nov. 28 through Dec. 2, 2011. The program implemented in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation will bring together 25 senior leaders from the world's top microfinance institutions (MFIs) to enhance their leadership skills and expose them to the latest business practices and thinking to help them build a sustainable future.

"WWB has partnered with Wharton to engage leaders of the best MFIs worldwide to wrestle with the tough questions facing the industry, with the ultimate goal of influencing the future of microfinance," says Elizabeth Lynch, Manager, Center for Microfinance Leadership at WWB.

This year's program will emphasize innovation, including how to equip leaders with strategic thinking and scenario planning skills so they can better plan for and address market changes. Attendees also will work in teams on a real-life innovation case and present their recommendations at the end of the conference. Wharton's faculty will deliver sessions on critical thinking, negotiation, HR and organizational development strategy and succession planning. The Center's other founding partner, Creative Metier Limited, will also participate.

The program's closing speaker, WWB President and CEO Mary Ellen Iskenderian, will address the role of principled leadership and innovation in the microfinance industry.

Women's World Banking is a global network of 39 leading microfinance providers and banks, working in 27 countries to bring financial products and services to low-income entrepreneurs, especially women.