Inspired Finance: The Role of Faith in Microfinance and International Economic Development

About M. Looft

Michael Looft works as the Regional Director for Europe and Asia at Kiva Microfunds. In his role he is responsible for setting strategy and overseeing the portfolio of microfinance partners. In 2006 he shifted his career into microfinance after twelve years in the retail and commercial banking industries. Prior to joining Kiva Michael organized savings and loan clubs (ASCAs) in Sierra Leone developed a microfinance program for a US-based non-profit operating in the Philippines and worked as a data analyst for a microfinance institution in Guatemala. He holds an undergraduate degree in International Business from San Francisco State University a Masters of Liberal Arts from St. John's College and a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity. At Harvard he focused on designing Sharia-compliant microfinance products for Muslim communities as well as researching the impacts of faith-based involvement in the microfinance industry.