Kenneth Vander Weele
Investment Services
Ken Vander Weele is the President of the Investment Services Division. He is responsible for the development and oversight of commercial microfinance institutions within the Opportunity International Network. He is in charge of investment banking services to procure debt and equity capital to finance development and growth of commercial microfinance institutions. Ken is responsible for the formation of the Opportunity Transformation Investment Fund and the development of the investment philosophy, policies and strategies. In addition, he is accountable for the creation of new microfinance banks and the conversion of NGOs into microfinance banks. Ken is currently serving on 10 boards of directors of Opportunity microfinance institutions. He also oversees feasibility studies, research and financing of entry into new countries.
From 1975 to 1981 he worked at Grant Thornton in Madison, Boston, and Chicago. He was the Senior Vice President, CFO and a founding shareholder for Graphisphere Corporation from 1981 to 1991. Ken was responsible for all financial and accounting functions and had a number of valuable accomplishments for the company. Some of his other activities include the American Institute of CPA’s, the Illinois Society of CPA’s, Turnaround Management Association, Association for Corporate Growth, CPA’s for the Public Interest, a financial advisor and venture capital investor for entrepreneurial companies, and service on corporate, civic, and religious boards of directors.
Prior to his position as President of Investment Services, Ken held various positions with Opportunity International Network. From 1991 to 1992 he served as the consultant for Latin America, including assessing new sources of capital, developing entrepreneurship training programs and various administrative and troubleshooting assignments. He was the Regional Vice President for Eastern Europe from 1992 to 2000, and was in charge of the initiative, development and funding of all Opportunity International microfinance institutions in Eastern Europe. In 2000 and 2001 Ken served as the Interim COO for the Opportunity International Network. His primary responsibilities included management of four divisions and 48 international employees, the implementation of new strategic plans and the coordination of all global activities. For 8 months in 2001 he was the Interim President for Opportunity International in the U.S, following the resignation of the CEO. His specific tasks included administration; worldwide policy and program management; supervision of field staff, fundraising, external communications and the coordination of the search for a new CEO.
Ken received a BBA Degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, a MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, and a Ph.D. from the Open University of the U.K. under the sponsorship of the Oxford Center for Mission Studies and Oxford University.
