Inspired by Micro-Financing

DSVP hosted and Inspirational Evening with Lucy Billingsley to learn about the inspiration behind her decision to get deeply involved in this work through the establishment of The Chiapas Project. Our moderator, Dodee Frost Crockett, a Barron’s list “Top 100 Women Financial Advisers” and DSVP 2005 Chairwoman of the Board, engaged our guest in a informative and rich dialogue about this fascinating movement that is alleviating poverty around the globe.

Photo: Dodee Frost Crockett, Lucy Billingsley, Karen Akin - Current Board Chair

We invite you to listen to the podcast of this Inspiring Conversation.

LISTEN NOW (or download).

Intro:

In 2003, Lucy Billingsley, a real estate legend in Dallas, Texas, heard Alex Counts, the CEO of the Grameen Foundation USA, speak about the power of micro-credit around the world. True to form, Lucy began to study the concept of microfinance and realized it was a viable and proven business solution to poverty. She recruited 30 women to travel to Chiapas, Mexico’s poorest state, to see it at work. When they returned, they formed the Chiapas Project. They personally pledged and raised $780,000 to fund the expansion of that microfinance institution. Lucy now serves on the board of the Grameen Foundation USA.