Leesa Shrader

Leesa Shrader leads implementation of the foundation’s Women's Economic Empowerment programs across seven countries: Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Senegal.

Before joining the foundation, Leesa worked at the intersection of digital innovation, financial inclusion, agriculture, market systems development, and women’s livelihoods in 55 countries. She launched and managed two commercial banks that serve low-income markets, as well as a number of microfinance institutions, and she worked for institutions including the World Bank, CGAP, GIZ, Mercy Corps, and Women’s World Banking.

Leesa has a master's degree in public policy from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s degree in international studies and Russian from Reed College.