Paula Storch Tjossem, an individual lending, microfinance and SME expert, possesses over 13 years of practical experience in development finance in Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the former Soviet Union. Most recently she was posted as the East Africa Representative for ShoreBank International.

Ms. Tjossem was the main author and manager of the Individual Lending Toolkit published in 2007 by MicroSave. 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.

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.