New Delhi: Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN), the premier industry association and Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) for the microfinance industry in India today announced that Dr Alok Misra, currently Professor & Chairperson of Public Policy & Governance at MDI Gurgaon, will be taking over as CEO of MFIN from 1^st August, 2020. Dr Misra takes over from the present CEO, Harsh Shrivastava, who has decided to move on after over 2 years at MFIN.

Dr. Alok Misra has 28 years of professional experience in international development, rural finance, microfinance, inclusive finance and research at both policy and implementation level. Dr Misra has worked globally across 22 countries and with premier institutions like NABARD, NCDEX and MDI. He has provided consulting to ADB, UNCDF, World Bank, IFC, IDLO, Rabo Bank among others. Currently, he is a member of SMART Campaign Accreditations committee, Inclusive Finance India Group of Advisors and member of digital finance working group constituted by ITU, Geneva. Dr. Misra holds a PhD in Development Studies from Victoria University of Wellington, Master’s in Development Management (Gold Medallist) from Asian Institute of Management, Manila. He has been trained at Harvard Business School  and was a Fellow, Fletcher Leadership Program for Financial Inclusion at Tufts University. Dr. Misra is a global expert in inclusive finance.

Welcoming Dr Misra, Manoj Kumar Nambiar, Chairperson of the MFIN board said, ”We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Misra as the new CEO and Director at MFIN. His background and long experience in the sector makes it a natural choice. I have no doubt that he will add great value to our future plans as we build on the last 10 years and look forward to the next decade of the association. ”

In a communication to the Members of the Association, Mr Nambiar mentioned that Harsh Shrivastava has moved on to pursue a career in public policy. He thanked him for his involvement in various initiatives like CRL in microcredit, various policy advocacy efforts, crisis management in States, and in ensuring a higher visibility for MFI’s and MFIN.