Thursday, September 24, 2026
4- 7 p.m.
Home Studios, 873 Broadway, #401, New York, NY
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Space is limited, so please RSVP at your earliest convenience.
About the event
The biggest barrier to solving global challenges is not a lack of ideas. It is how we fund and scale proven solutions that help families lift themselves out of extreme poverty. Join us for a candid conversation among funders, researchers, and implementers exploring collective, accountable investments and what it takes to bring these models to the communities that need them most.
As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges, this event will spotlight innovative, evidence-based approaches to doing development differently. BRAC is convening leaders from across the sector to explore how we can address evolving global challenges—including poverty alleviation, economic inclusion, and climate resilience—by scaling proven solutions through effective philanthropy. Together, we will examine strategies that move beyond exchanging ideas to building the partnerships and investments needed to achieve bold, lasting change.
Speakers
Shameran Abed, Executive Director, BRAC International
Shameran joined BRAC Bangladesh in 2009 and BRAC International in 2012, and has been instrumental in bringing BRAC’s flagship microfinance and ultra-poor graduation programs to a global scale. Under his leadership, BRAC International’s microfinance portfolio has seen impressive growth and a renewed focus on client impact. Since 2016, he has led BRAC’s ultra-poor graduation work and played an instrumental role in setting up the UPGI to spearhead global advocacy and provide technical assistance to governments largest mobile money providers.
Abe Grindle, Program Director, Co-Impact
Abe Grindle is a Director on Co-Impact’s Programs team, where he helps oversee the sourcing, vetting, structuring, and support of philanthropic systems change grants. Before joining Co-Impact in 2017, he spent nearly a decade at the Bridgespan Group, where he advised leading philanthropists and NGOs across Africa, the Caribbean, India, and North America on strategies to scale impact, improve effectiveness, and deploy significant philanthropic capital. He also co-founded and managed Bridgespan’s multi-year research initiative on systems change and authored or co-authored several publications, including Audacious Philanthropy: Lessons from 15 World-Changing Initiatives in the Harvard Business Review.
Earlier in his career, Abe worked in technology innovation and policy at the White House Office of Management and Budget, NASA, and MIT, and spent a year working with Native American youth in rural Montana. He holds M.S. degrees in Technology and Policy and in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT, and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Saint Louis University. Since 2016, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.
Dean Karlan, Innovations for Poverty Action
Dean Karlan is the Frederic Esser Nemmers Distinguished Professor of Economics and Finance at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. In low and medium income countries, his research focuses on microeconomic issues of poverty, including household finance (risk, credit, and savings), social protection (e.g., cash transfers and the Graduation approach), entrepreneurship, agriculture, health, education, mental health, and religion. Much of his research incorporates insights from behavioral economics, and also places a heavy emphasis on multi-site studies.
Rosemary Nduhiu, Executive Director, Country Programs, Mastercard Foundation
Rosemary Nduhiu is the Executive Director, Country Programs at the Mastercard Foundation, where she leads the foundation's country implementation portfolio, advancing opportunities for young people to access dignified and fulfilling work while contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
With more than 20 years of leadership experience across philanthropy, telecommunications, media, and consumer goods, Rosemary has led transformational initiatives, strategic investments, and institution-strengthening eƯorts that have expanded opportunity and driven impact at scale. Her work is rooted in country-led development and co-creation, bringing together diverse stakeholders to foster resilient systems that enable young people, particularly young women, to realize their aspirations.
In her current role, Rosemary oversees the implementation of country strategies that support economic inclusion, strengthen local institutions, and create pathways for young people to participate meaningfully in their communities and economies. She is a passionate advocate for African-led solutions that unlock potential, accelerate systems transformation, and contribute to lasting social and economic progress.