Michael Schlein
Michael Schlein | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 March 1961 |
| Alma mater | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Occupation(s) | President and CEO, Accion (since 2009) |
Michael Schlein is the president and CEO of Accion, a global microfinance and impact investment nonprofit.[1][2]
Biography[edit]
Schlein holds a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1984. He also studied at the London School of Economics in 1983. He is married to Lisa Jordan Tamagni and resides with his family in Brooklyn, New York.
Career[edit]
Schlein began his career at Smith Barney, where he worked with municipal governments on access to capital markets. He then was Chief of Staff to the New York City Deputy Mayor for Finance and Economic Development (1989-1993), and then Chief of Staff under Chairman Arthur Levitt at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (1994-1997).[3]
He returned to the private sector in 1997, working directly for then-Smith Barney CEO Jamie Dimon. Following the firm's merger with Salomon Brothers, Travelers, and Citibank into the newly created Citigroup, he assumed responsibilities for government relations, philanthropy, internal and external strategic communications and branding, human resources and international franchise management. He was a member of the firm's Management Committee, Executive Director of its Business Practices Committee, as a director of Citibank, N.A.; Poland's Bank Handlowy, and Citibank Korea, Inc.
Through his work with Citi's philanthropic arm, the Citi Foundation, he became interested in microfinance and worked with Accion, a global non-profit that helps provide financial services for those living in poverty. He joined Accion's board of directors in 2007. He was appointed president and CEO of Accion following Maria Otero’s departure in September 2009.
At Accion, he has overseen significant expansions of the organization, including a new strategy focused on the broader goal of financial inclusion where everyone has access to the financial tools they need to help improve their lives. Schlein is a vocal advocate of building economic opportunity through microfinance, impact investing, and social entrepreneurship, and he is frequently quoted in the media, including Reuters,[4] American Banker,[5] and Institutional Investor[6] on related subjects.[7][8]
Related professional work[edit]
In April of 2014, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Schlein to serve as the chairman of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Schlein and de Blasio are long-time personal friends, having worked together in the Dinkins Administration. He has stated that he plans to “be more prudent” in the city's approach to corporate subsidies and tax incentives, noting that “New York City is a magnet for talent and employees” and NYC is “now in a position of strength.”[9][10] He also serves on the board of directors for BancoSol in Bolivia, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
References[edit]
- ^ "Executive Profile: Michael Edward Schlein". Bloomberg Businessweek. Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
- ^ Woolhouse, Megan (June 1, 2014). "Seven things you should know about Michael Schlein". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ "Mayor de Blasio Appoints Michael Schlein as Chairman of New York City Economic Development Corporation's Board of Directors" (Press release). New York, New York: NYC.gov. City Hall Press Office. April 3, 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-24.
- ^ Fioretti, Julia (December 9, 2013). "Big banks see rich opportunities in world's poorest". Reuters. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Wack, Kevin (2013-10-28). "How Far Should the CFPB Go to Save Consumers from Themselves?". American Banker. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Kutler, Jeffrey (2013-10-20). "Finding Macro Solutions for Microfinance". Institutional Investor. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ "From Poverty to Profits". CNBC. CNBC. 2012-11-17. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Schlein, Michael; Taylor, Diana (2012-05-15). "Investing For Global Impact: Be Early Be Patient". Forbes. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Grynbaum, Michael (April 2, 2014). "De Blasio Naming Ex-Banker as Economic Development Corp. Chairman". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Campbell, Colin (2013-11-30). "Bill de Blasio Rolls Out Inauguration Team". The New York Observer. The New York Observer. Retrieved 24 June 2014.