Keynote Kadita ‘A.T.’ Tshibaka to speak on “Staying the course – Microfinance Matters!”
TORONTO (Sept 15, 2011) – Toronto International Microfinance Summit announced today that Kadita ‘A.T.’ Tshibaka, Director and past CEO of Opportunity International will set the tone for its Saturday Conference – the micro way.  In its third year, the annual Summit brings together: microfinance practitioners, development professionals, NGOs, social entrepreneurs, academics, students, business leaders and media for dialogue, education and to share best practices.  A new MicroMarketplace will allow attendees to meet local micro-entrepreneurs and purchase their products and services. The 2011 theme is: From Microcredit to Financial Inclusion: Making a Difference in our World. 

EVENT:         CONFERENCE - 2011 Toronto International Microfinance Summit

DATE:           Saturday, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

PLACE:          Allstream Centre, Exhibition Place, 105 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto

TIME:            Registration, 7:30 – 9 AM. Program and Lunch, 9 AM – 5 PM
                   MicroMarketplace – 7:30 AM – 5 PM

Media availability: Please contact us.

The over 40 Summit speakers from 30 organizations on 5 continents include:

· CONFERENCE CHAIR: Jim Louttit, Secretary, Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit
· LUNCHEON SPEAKER: Jeff Rayman, President, Secutor Capital; Director, UEnd Poverty
· PLENARY PANEL & BREAKOUT SPEAKERS: Bob Annibale, Citi Microfinance; Vidar Jorgensen, Grameen America; Damian von Stauffenberg, MicroRate; Joyce Lehman, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Tess Bayombong, CARE Canada; Dr. Tanjina Mirza, Plan Canada; Michael Bowles, Aga Khan Foundation; Deborah Lindholm, Foundation for Women; Joanna Richardson, CIDA; and more.

EVENT SPONSORS:  Citi Microfinance, Alterna Savings, State Street, Crann Law Firm, Dentistry on Dufferin, JVL Global Microfinance Consulting, Zeidler Partnership Architects, Edward Gruscyk Insurance Agency Ltd.

MEDIA PARTNERS:  CNW Group, Canadian Newcomer Magazine, MicroCapital Monitor, OMNI Television, SocialFinance.ca.

For tickets, bios and more information, visit www.microfinanceconference.ca  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn, take the micro walk on YouTube and try our new mobile app.

Contact: Wendy Bodnoff
             Co-chair, Media & Public Relations
             905 334 3660   ( )
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Toronto International Microfinance Summit is Canada’s premier event focusing on domestic and international microfinance.  This non-profit organization was founded in 2009 by Rotarian Action Group for...