FINCA Microfinance Bank Ltd. serves clients with responsible and affordable financial services.
FINCA Microfinance Bank’s Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors brings a breadth of expertise and dedication to providing access to responsible financial services.
ZARLASHT WARDAK
CHAIRPERSON/BOARD DIRECTOR
VICE PRESIDENT & REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE MIDDLE EAST & SOUTH ASIA, FINCA IMPACT FINANCE
Zar Wardak
Zar Wardak is a proven and respected leader in global finance. With over 10 years experience in executive financial management, she is currently the Regional Director of FINCA International (Middle East & South Asia), one of the leading microfinance organizations in the world. She is also the Chairperson for the Afghanistan Microfinance Association and Chairperson of Board for the MESA subsidiaries.
She is the former CEO of FINCA Afghanistan, where she transformed the subsidiary to sustainability within three years. Prior to joining FINCA, Zar was a financial services industry consultant in Afghanistan, and before that, Vice President with Citibank North America.
Ms Wardak completed a Bachelor of Arts in International Business at Southwestern College in Kansas, and a Master of Science in Peace Operations at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
Being fluent in English, Dari, Pashtu and Urdu, and having a unique cultural understanding and perspective, allows Afghan-American Zar to achieve exceptional outcomes for the organizations she works for. She is a sought-after speaker, and has shared the stage with Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus on the topic of Microfinance as it relates to peace and prosperity.
Despite working in extremely complex and challenging environments, Zar Wardak has an impressive track record of transforming financial organisations into well-governed, high-performing and sustainable entities.
JEFFREY PETER SMITH
BOARD DIRECTOR
VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, FINCA IMPACT FINANCE
Jeffrey Smith
Jeffrey Smith has nearly 40 years of experience in auditing, finance, accounting, risk management, internal control and regulatory compliance. He has led many restructuring efforts of global audit, risk management and compliance departments, as well as, many global efforts implementing effective risk controls and compliance monitoring systems.
Mr. Smith has worked in both the public and private sectors. He has been an independent consultant and held global positions at Citibank and Ford Motor Company. Most recently, he was the Chief Auditor at Rotary International.
Mr. Smith is a Certified Risk Professional and earned a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University (Detroit, Michigan, USA). He also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA).
Volker Renner
BOARD DIRECTOR
Volker Renner
Volker Renner has over 15 years of senior management experience in the microfinance industry. Prior to his current position, he served as Chief Operating Officer for FINCA’s global operations, and Regional Director for FINCA’s Eurasia Region. Before joining FINCA in 2004, Mr. Renner held positions as CEO of ProCredit Bank (Ukraine), Team Leader of EBRD/KfW’s joint Ukraine Microlending Program, and Bank Advisor to banks in Russia’s Siberia region. Throughout his career, Mr. Renner has served as board chairman, board member and audit committee member for numerous microfinance institutions and banks. He holds an M.B.A. with a focus on banking from the Mannheim Professional Academy.
Roshaneh Zafar
BOARD DIRECTOR
FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, KASHF FOUNDATION
Roshaneh Zafar
Ms. Roshaneh Zafar is the Founder and Managing Director of Kashf Foundation – the first specialized microfinance organization in Pakistan established in 1996. Kashf Foundation was awarded the Microfinance Excellence Award by the Grameen Foundation-USA for its groundbreaking innovations in the field of microfinance in Pakistan, while in 2005 it won the AGFUND International Prize for Microcredit 2005 out of 98 countries
Prior to establishing Kashf Foundation, Ms. Zafar worked with the World Bank in Islamabad in the Water and Sanitation department for several years. Ms. Zafar was one of the first Ashoka Fellows in Pakistan and has been a Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur since 2004. Ms Zafar has also been awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian awards, by the President of Pakistan for her work in the field of development and women’s empowerment and was also awarded the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship in 2007. Ms Zafar is a graduate of the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, USA and also holds a Master’s degree in Development Economics from Yale University, USA.
Fatma Safiye Ozuygun Sahin
BOARD DIRECTOR
Fatma Safiye Ozuygun Sahin
Safiye is a seasoned senior banker with vast experience across many banking functions, geographies and client segments. Over the last 20 years at Citi she worked as a Senior Banker both in Turkey and London covering several FTSE 100 clients overseeing complex financing transactions. Subsequently, as a Regional Head for Europe Middle East and Africa Citi’s Internal Audit and Risk Management Group she has led transformational global projects in risk and control functions. She is also a Senior Credit Officer.
She has recently been awarded ‘Champion for Women Award’ in 2014 by Women in Banking and Finance UK Network (WIBF) in recognition for her efforts supporting women in the workplace.
In order to pursue her life-long ambition and commitment for women’s economic empowerment, Safiye joined Citi Microfinance in 2009 as a Business Director.
She has since worked to address issues of access to finance for women entrepreneurs focusing on building scalable solutions. Safiye was part of a team in Citi Microfinance that has developed a Citi-Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) microfinance partnership providing funding to 40 microfinance institutions with outreach to almost 1 million micro-entrepreneurs in 22 countries, approximately 91% of whom are women. Safiye has expended considerable effort in creating and expanding women’s networks and platforms for women to gather and flourish. Safiye served as the co-chair of the Citi Women UK Network for two years and now sits on the steering committee.
She was recipient of the Citi Diversity Employee Network Star Award in 2009 and 2010.
In addition, in 2011, Safiye co-founded ‘Women Advancing Microfinance’ (WAM) to connect women interested in financial inclusion and social businesses in the UK and internationally. WAM is the only UK network for the advancement of women in the microfinance industry.
She has MSc degree in Banking and Finance from Nottingham University.
MAKHMUDJON SAIDAKHMATOV
BOARD DIRECTOR
CEO, FINCA KYRGYZSTAN
Makhmud Saidakhmatov
Makhmud joined FINCA in December 2006 as COO for FINCA Kyrgyzstan. After successful implementation of all strategic goals assigned to this role, in 2009 he has been appointed as CEO of FINCA Azerbaijan, and later in 2010 as the CEO of FINCA Kyrgyzstan. He held the position of CEO of FINCA Kyrgyzstan till February of 2015, and later he was assigned as an advisor to the management team of FINCA Bank Kyrgyzstan.
Prior to FINCA, Makhmud worked for over 4 years for “LFS Financial systems GmbH”, a German consulting and management company specialized in banking and SME finance projects in developing and transition countries. As a banking advisor, he managed projects in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan focused on establishment of micro and SME lending operations at various commercial banks. In 2003, Makhmud was working in Azerbaijan to develop micro and SME lending practices at Access Bank Azerbaijan. Makhmud commenced his professional banking career in 1998, at the National Bank of Uzbekistan, where he worked for three years as a Senior Investment Officer.
Makhmud holds a diploma in economics from the National University of Uzbekistan and Master’s degree in Economic and Social Studies from the University of Manchester, UK. He also holds a professional certification of Stonier Graduate School of Banking administered by the American Bankers Association at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
Dr. Arif Ahmed
BOARD DIRECTOR
Dr. Arif Ahmed
Dr. Arif Ahmed has 15+ years of global experience in digitization & innovation in financial services. Currently, he is at U.S. Bank, where has held executive roles in Data Analytics & Innovation. Prior to U.S. Bank, he worked at Rev Worldwide, where he held various executive product and technology roles in support of launching one of the first mobile-first Digital Banks in 10+ countries. Earlier, he was the Group Head of Strategic Initiatives & Business Development at United Bank, in Pakistan, where he initiated & led the highly successful digital transformation of the bank-starting in 2003.
In these roles, Dr. Arif Ahmed has been responsible for a number of key ‘first-ever’ initiatives in mobile/Internet banking, mobile payments, payment cards, branchless banking, digital cross-border remittances, conversational interaction, AI and machine learning-based fraud and risk management.
Prior to these roles in financial services, Dr. Arif Ahmed held various technical, strategy & business development roles at Motorola and 3Com.
Dr. Arif Ahmed has an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and obtained his B.S. and PhD. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.
Shabbir Hussain Hashmi
BOARD DIRECTOR
Shabbir Hussain Hashmi
Mr. Shabbir H. Hashmi is serving as an independent director on the boards of Dawood Lawrencepur Limited, Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited, Dawood Hercules Corporation, OJ Engineering and HBL Asset Management Ltd. He is also on the board of governors of The Help Care Society which is operating K-12 schools in Lahore for underprivileged children. He has more than 35 years of project finance and private equity experience. In his previous experience in corporate governance, Shabbir Hashmi has held more than 24 board directorships as a nominee of CDC/Actis and 12 directorships as an independent.
In executive roles, Shabbir Hashmi has led the Pakistan operations at Actis Capital, one of the largest private equity investors in the emerging markets. Prior to Actis, he was responsible for a large regional portfolio of CDC Group Plc. for Pakistan and Bangladesh. He had a long stint with USAID and later briefly with the World Bank in Pakistan, specializing in planning and development of the energy sector.
He is an engineer from Dawood College of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan and holds an MBA degree from J.F. Kennedy University, USA. He joined the Board of FINCA Pakistan in August, 2020 and is also the Chairman of it’s Audit Committee.
FINCA Microfinance Bank’s Management Team
Our management team brings vast experience, professional skills and expertise from various industry backgrounds.
Shahid Hosain Kazi
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Shahid Hosain Kazi
Shahid Hosain Kazi is a banking industry veteran. He has 22 years of banking experience in different institutions, departments, territories & jurisdictions and in various capacities, including in Leadership roles. Shahid’s experience covers key banking functions such as Corporate & Retail Banking, Strategic Planning, Risk Management & International Business.
Shahid started his banking career with Emirates Bank in 1994. Over the years, he held senior positions at Bank Alfalah and Habib Metropolitan Bank (subsidiary of Habib AG Zurich). Most recently, he served for 4 years as “Group Head – Corporate & Transaction Banking” at Habib Metropolitan Bank.
He holds an MBA in Banking & Finance from Institute of Business Administration (IBA) – Karachi.
Ghulam Qadir
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Ghulam Qadir
Mr. Qadir brings 28 years of work experience to the table including 19 years of banking experience of working in Pakistan and Canada. He has served with Tangerine Bank in Canada which is a pioneer in Branchless Banking in North America. He has served at Bank Alfalah Limited Pakistan in various capacities for over 11 years and has also worked with Deloitte Pakistan. His last assignment was as Chief Financial Officer of U Microfinance Bank Limited.
Mr. Qadir is a fellow member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan and Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan. He is also a member of Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, Canada and holds bachelor degree from University of Karachi.
Manzoor Ahmed Janjua
CHIEF LEGAL & CORPORATE OFFICER/COMPANY SECRETARY
Manzoor Ahmed Janjua
He is Law Graduate and Masters in Political Science from University of the Punjab. He is also a certified director from the Institute of Charted Accountants of Pakistan. His tenure at the Bank witnessed a successful completion of major equity injection of US based Microfinance organization, FINCA Impact Finance.
Muhammad Shahzad Sadiq
GROUP HEAD RISK MANAGEMENT
Muhammad Shahzad Sadiq
Muhammad Shahzad Sadiq has joined us as Group Head Risk Management of the bank. He is a banking sector veteran with over 25+ years of progressive experience in different institutions, departments and in various Leadership roles
His experience covers the following key segments/functions:
- Risk Management
- Credit and Marketing
- Legal and Corporate Affairs
- Finance and Budgeting
- Project and Corporate Finance Management
- Planning and Audits
Muhammad Shahzad is a diverse and experienced professional and prior to joining the FINCA Family, he has held a number of positions including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Internal Auditor to mention a few. He has worked with some of the leading commercial banks in the country and his last assignment was with Allied Bank.
Nuvin Jatala
HEAD OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Nuvin Jatala
Nuvin Jatala is the Head of IT. She joined in November 2007 and led the setup and implementation of the bank’s information and communication infrastructure as well as the core banking system. She was also responsible for assembling the IT team and developing the requisite policy/procedures. In addition to managing the IT operations, she is also overseeing the implementation of technology-based channels for the bank, which involve deployment and maintenance of ATM’s at all branches, and other such initiatives.
Prior to joining FINCA, she was working with City Schools Private Limited from 2004-2007. Her initial work experience comprises of software project management and re-engineering at two software service providers. Her total career span is now more than 13 years. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems from N.E.D University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi and Masters in Computer Science from SZABIST, Karachi.
Muhammad Qaisar
HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Muhammad Qaisar
Mr. Qaisar brings over a decade of experience working in the microfinance industry. He started his career at the grass root level, successfully performed different roles like credit officer, branch manager, area manager, regional manager and finally attained the position of head of Business Development at FINCA.
Mr. Qaisar possesses multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural and multi-institutional knowledge of working closely with rural/urban segment of the society; grip on individual and group based lending model, knowledge of social sector, implementing efficiency measures, in-depth understanding of effective communication and ability to travel extensively in operational areas.
Mr. Qaisar has a degree in Master of Arts in Sociology and also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Development Support Communication from University of the Punjab Lahore.
Syeda Noshina Bukhari
HEAD OF OPERATIONS & DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Syeda Noshina Bukhari
Syeda Noshina Bukhari is an experienced banker. She has over 10 years of commercial banking experience before joining the Microfinance sector in 2008. She has worked at Union Bank Limited, Askari Commercial Bank and Prime Commercial Bank before joining FINCA. She has experience in branch banking operations, trade finance and SME financing. She has also worked as a main trainer and director management trainee program at Prime Commercial Bank Limited. She has developed and implemented the Banking Operational Policies and Procedure, Internal Control Processes and played a vital role in implementation of the Banking software.
Mrs. Bukhari’s has done her Masters in Public Administration from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad.
Bakar Ahmed
HEAD OF HR, TRAINING & OD
Bakar Ahmed
Mr. Bakar Ahmed is the EVP/Head HR, Training & OD at FINCA Microfinance Bank Limited. He has been associated with the Banking Industry for over 24 years, serving in leading banks at key positions. He was an advisor under World Bank MDTF project TFAO4946 on Capacity Strengthening Human Resource Management of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and has worked as Chief Human Resource Officer at Ubank and Country Head HR at Askari Bank Limited thus he brings with him a rich banking experience, presenting an impeccable portfolio of HRM, earned during the course of over 24 years of progressive responsibility and achievement in the field.
He started his professional career in 1995 with HBL by qualifying through Pakistan Banking Services Commission competitive exam and served in the field of Operations, Credit and Human Resource. In January 2005, he moved to Askari Bank where he rose to Country Head HR. He has transformed HR into a strategic business partner by creating an enabling platform through process automation. He is a Senior Certified Professional of HR accredited by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP), USA. He is also a Silver Medalist in MBA (Ex) program from LUMS, MBA-IT (Ex) from CIIT, Islamabad, and has a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering from UET Lahore (Taxila Campus).
Muhammad Asif Javed
HEAD OF COMPLIANCE
Muhammad Asif Javed
Mr. Asif Javed is a veteran banker with a cumulative banking experience of 20 years in leading commercial banks of Pakistan. He started his banking career in 1999 from MCB Bank and later on worked with HBL for 8 years in different capacities. Before joining FINCA, he had been at Barclays Bank, Pakistan for a period of 8 years, working as the Head of Trade Finance (central region).
His expertise includes foreign trade finance, core banking & branch operations, internal audit, customer service, compliance & internal controls. Mr. Asif obtained his MBA from Al-Khair University. In his position as the head of compliance, he looks after compliance related matters of the bank.
Syed Asghar Hussain
HEAD OF STRATEGY & NEW INITIATIVES
Syed Asghar Hussain
Asghar is a Product Management and Consumer Insights professional with more than 16 years of experience. He has worked in a wide variety of roles within the financial sector. He is skilled in the areas of business strategy, P&L management, research, product & project management. Asghar started his career in 2000 and has since worked with companies like Outreach Digital, Gallup Pakistan, BearingPoint, Oasis Insights, Standard Chartered Bank & Tameer Microfinance Bank. His last assignment was with The Pragma Corporation, an agency working with the USAID, where he served for 1 year as SME Banking Advisor. He holds a Masters in International Marketing from University of East London, London & an MBA from IBA, Karachi.
FINCA Impact Finance’s Global Management
The FIF leadership team manages a global organization of more than 12,000 employees.