Essma Ben Hamida holds a university degree in geography and history (University of Tunis) and one post-graduate year in urban planning (University of Paris). Prior to her career in microfinance, Ms. Ben Hamida worked as a journalist/reporter in Tunisia, New York, Rome and Geneva and as a consultant for the United Nations. In 1995, Ms. Ben Hamida launched, with Michael Cracknell, the first best practice microfinance institution in Tunisia. With 130,000 active clients, a $40 million outstanding portfolio, 57 branches, and staff of 750. Ms. Ben Hamida is a founding member of Sanabel, and was elected twice to Sanabel’s Board (2002 – 2008) serving as chairperson from December 2005 to May 2008. She has received distinguished decorations from the President of Tunisia (Officer of the Order of the Republic in July 2006 and the 20th anniversary of the new Republic in November 2008).

Bassem Khanfar CEO of the National Microfinance Bank in Jordan, with over eighteen years of experience in the field of development micro finance, and small enterprises financing including; management, program design, products development, implementation, technical assistance, fund raising, developing strategic business plans, setting policies and procedures, setting internal control and reporting mechanisms, linkages, engagement in coordination of different stakeholders and building relationship with commercial investors and strategic partners. Held of CEO positions since 2001”.

Ranya Abdel-Baki is an economist currently working at Sanabel, Microfinance Network of Arab Countries, as the Executive Director since October 2009. Prior to working at Sanabel, she has worked as a Credit Analyst for five years at National Société Générale Bank and as an Urban Economist & Development Specialist in an environmental consultancy firm. Ms. Abdel-Baki has done a number of consultancy assignments assessing the social impact and financial sustainability of development projects in Egypt. She has worked with various local and international organization and government bodies including the Social Fund for Development, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Danish International Development Agency, and the World Bank. Ms. Abdel Baki holds a MSc. in Urban Economic Development from University College London.

Ms. Deena is an independent consultant with over 15 years experience in the field of microfinance and enterprise development and a regional concentration in the Middle East and North Africa. Ms. Burjorjee works with governments and donor agencies on a range of activities related to financial sector inclusion from strategic management support to MFIs to policy level work aimed at promoting a more enabling environment for the development of the microfinance sector. Formerly, Ms. Burjorjee was the Portfolio Manager and Arab States Technical Advisor for the United Nations Capital Development Fund, an independent Fund focusing on microfinance and local development for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Ms. Burjorjee also served as a member of UNCDF’s microfinance training team for over 6 years providing capacity building to government and donor agencies including the EU, IFAD, FAO, IDB and ILO on microfinance best practices. Ms. Burjorjee holds a Masters Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and has co-authored several technical publications, including a guide for supporting women’s livelihoods through microfinance and a survey of Microfinance in the Arab States. Ms. Burjorjee has taught courses and workshops on microfinance at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs

Ms. Dalati has joined the State of Planning Commission in 1985. She contributed, together with the Commission's team of economists, in the development of policies and strategies for private sector's 10th Five-year plan 2005-2010 in Syria. Moreover, she has worked as the Manager of the Private Sector Department in the Commission and is currently in the position of the Microfinance Manager. She has participated in several conferences and handled the organization of the first Microfinance conference in Syria which was held on November 10-11, 2007.She has also participated in the preparation of the national microfinance strategy for 2009-2010.

Mr. Moussa has over 20 years of international experience in development as a Financial and Management international advisor, fifteen of which are in the domain of Microfinance; building the institutional capacity of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Egypt, the Middle East and Africa, the provision of training to management and staff, and the development of a conducive legislative and informative infrastructure for Microfinance and Small Enterprise sector in the region. As a trainer, Mr. Moussa is certified by CGAP as a lead trainer and resource person in providing training on Strategic, Operational planning and Financial Modeling, as well as in Product Development. Mr. Moussa has designed and conducted training in Egypt, the middle East, Africa, and the United States. Mr. Moussa is board member in “Solidarity” Microfinance program; he also offers technical support to the International organizations in the field of Microfinance such as: Sanabel Microfinance Network for Arab Countries, CGAP, African Development Bank, the USAID and the World Bank.