Accion Executive and Leadership Team

Michael Schlein, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Accion, directs the global strategic vision for microfinance and fintech impact investing. Schlein architects high-level partnerships with international financial institutions to expand capital access for underserved populations. By overseeing the organization's long-term mission, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between philanthropic goals and sustainable market growth. This leadership role involves navigating complex regulatory environments across diverse emerging markets to foster economic resilience. Michael Schlein maintains rigorous standards for impact measurement, ensuring every investment generates measurable social value. Through constant engagement with the Board, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the necessary resources to scale innovative financial solutions. Ultimately, Schlein drives the organizational commitment to building a more inclusive global economy by leveraging technology and strategic capital deployment to reach millions of unbanked individuals.

William Burrus, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Accion, manages internal operational efficiency and organizational scaling. Burrus focuses on optimizing the internal infrastructure required to support global non-profit initiatives. By streamlining administrative processes, the President & Chief Executive Officer enables the organization to deploy resources more effectively into fintech ventures. This role involves coordinating with regional directors to ensure operational consistency across the Cambridge headquarters and international field offices. William Burrus monitors the performance of various impact programs, adjusting tactical approaches to maximize social outcomes. The President & Chief Executive Officer facilitates cross-departmental collaboration to maintain agility in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. Through disciplined management of internal assets, Burrus strengthens the foundation of the organization. This leadership position ensures that the mission of providing financial services to the underserved remains supported by robust, scalable, and efficient internal systems.

Wole Ralph, the HR Chief Financial Officer & Director at Accion, oversees the integration of human capital management with fiscal planning. Ralph directs the allocation of financial resources to support talent acquisition and organizational development. By aligning budgetary constraints with workforce requirements, the HR Chief Financial Officer & Director ensures the organization retains the expertise necessary for complex fintech impact investing. This role involves managing the financial health of internal departments while simultaneously fostering a culture of professional growth. Wole Ralph monitors global compensation trends to maintain competitive positioning in the non-profit sector. The HR Chief Financial Officer & Director collaborates with executive leadership to forecast long-term staffing needs based on projected investment cycles. Through meticulous oversight of both human and financial capital, Ralph secures the operational stability required to advance the mission of global financial inclusion and sustainable economic development.

Esteban Altschul, the President, Accion Impact Management at Accion, directs the investment strategy and portfolio performance for the organization's impact funds. Altschul oversees the identification and evaluation of fintech opportunities that promise both social impact and financial sustainability. By managing the investment lifecycle, the President, Accion Impact Management ensures that capital flows into high-potential ventures that serve the unbanked. This role involves rigorous due diligence and ongoing monitoring of portfolio companies to ensure alignment with the core mission. Esteban Altschul collaborates with other C-suite leaders to integrate investment insights into the broader organizational strategy. The President, Accion Impact Management drives the expansion of the investment footprint across emerging markets, focusing on scalable solutions that bridge the gap in financial access. Through disciplined portfolio management, Altschul maximizes the social return on investment, directly contributing to the long-term success of the organization's global initiatives.

Salua Smith, the President's Council at Accion, provides high-level advisory support and governance oversight for the organization's strategic initiatives. Smith facilitates communication between the executive leadership and key stakeholders to ensure the mission remains focused on long-term impact. By overseeing the advisory framework, the President's Council helps refine the approach to complex challenges in the microfinance and fintech sectors. This role involves synthesizing diverse perspectives to provide actionable guidance on organizational priorities. Salua Smith monitors the alignment of current projects with the overarching goals of the organization, ensuring consistency in execution. The President's Council collaborates with the executive team to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing programs and identify new opportunities for growth. Through strategic counsel and governance, Smith strengthens the decision-making process, ensuring the organization remains a leader in the global effort to provide financial services to underserved populations.

Chris Coxon, the Chief Communications Officer at Accion, manages the global brand narrative and public engagement strategy. Coxon architects messaging campaigns that highlight the impact of microfinance and fintech investments on underserved communities. By overseeing media relations and digital outreach, the Chief Communications Officer ensures the organization maintains a strong presence in the global financial sector. This role involves translating complex impact data into compelling stories for donors, partners, and the public. Chris Coxon coordinates with executive leadership to align public messaging with the broader strategic goals of the organization. The Chief Communications Officer monitors market sentiment to proactively manage the reputation of the brand across diverse international regions. Through strategic communication, Coxon amplifies the visibility of the mission, driving increased support and awareness for the critical work performed by the organization in the field of global financial inclusion.