A Brief Organizational profile Indian School of Microfinance for Women (the School) based at Ahmedabad (Gujarat) was promoted in the year 2003 by SEWA Bank, Friends of Women World Banking (FWWB) India and Coady International Institute Canada. ISMW is registered under Bombay Public Trust Act 1950. Smt. Ela R. Bhatt, Founder SEWA is the Founder Chairperson of the School. Mrs. Shyamala Gopinath, Former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India has also been an Ex- Chairperson and Ms. Jayshree Vyas - MD, SEWA Bank is the Managing Trustee of the School. The Board of Directors also include, Ms. Dharmishta N. Raval, Advocate (former ED, SEBI), Ms Kashyapi Mehta, DGM, SEWA Bank and Ms. Susan Thomas, Assistant Professor, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai. Ms. Mary Coyle, Former University Vice President, Coady International Institute, Canada, Ms. Nancy Barry, NBA Enterprise Solutions to Poverty, New York and late Mrs. Vijayalakshami Das (one of the founder Trustees), CEO, of FWWB were also on the Board of ISMW. Vision of the School: Vision of the school is to build a nationwide knowledge and infrastructure to empower the poor. The School strongly believes that a holistic approach to balance the economic and relevant social issues will lead to financial freedom of the poor and deprived section of the society especially women and also to financial stability of the organization serving them. Objectives of the School include: o To significantly enhance the capacity of the Target Group and their families o Build a conducive environment for strengthening and spreading microfinance to understand financial capability through policy advocacy and action research o Promoting financial literacy progressively linked to sustainable financial inclusion of the poor for better and secure future especially through effective utilization of financial service.