Paula Storch Tjossem is an individual lending, microfinance and SME specialist and possesses over 12 years of practical experience in developing and transitional economies of Africa, Eastern Europe, South Asia, and the former Soviet Union. Ms. Tjossem was the main writer and manager of the Individual Lending Toolkit published in 2007 by MicroSave.

Additionally, she designed, created, managed, and operated two microfinance / SME financial institutions as well as has managed and operated loan funds. Micro and small business development skills include assessment; product design and development; execution and direct management of financial institutions; commercial lending; grant management; institutional development and capacity building; operational management; monitoring and evaluation; business development services; impact survey design and implementation; extensive practice in creation and presentation of trainings; and provision of technical expertise in formal and informal settings, rural and urban areas, and diverse political environments.

Ms. Tjossem has also worked with refugee and internally displaced persons in war torn areas in the areas of income generation and sustainable livelihood in rural and urban settings. Prior to Ms. Tjossem’s international experience, she worked in the U.S. banking industry in New York City and San Francisco. Ms. Tjossem holds a BS in finance from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and studied contemporary Economic Policy at the American University.