Elisabeth Rhyne

Elisabeth Rhyne "is senior vice president of ACCION International, managing its Research, Development and Policy Department. Ms. Rhyne directs ACCION's research efforts to develop new financial products for the poor, including rural lending products, housing credit and microinsurance. She is also leading ACCION's initiative in sub-Saharan Africa. Ms. Rhyne's experience in microfinance includes her work as Director of the Office of Microenterprise Development at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from 1994 to 1998, where she developed and managed USAID's microenterprise program. Prior to joining ACCION, she worked as an independent microfinance consultant based in Mozambique. Ms. Rhyne's consulting assignments have included advising several government banks on microfinance policy, as well as conducting diagnostic assessments and business planning for more than 10 microfinance institutions. Ms. Rhyne earned a master's and Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard University. She holds a bachelor's degree in history and humanities from Stanford University. Professor Rhyne co-teaches Advanced Topics in Microfinance with Monica Brand.“

Faculty member of the SAIS International Development Program.