Syed Mohsin Ahmed 		3rd Floor, Mandir Square, G-8 Markaz, Islamabad
Chief Executive Officer  
Pakistan Microfinance Network		 	smahmed@pmn.org.pk
							
							www.linkedin.com/in/mohsin-ahmed-79a9618/   
+92-300-854 8391  

I am a visionary that focuses on the big picture and have the essential skills to convert vision into reality. With these key ingredients, I work in an organization that focuses on prompting access to finance with a triple bottom line objective. My approach to business success is clear and simple; building on the core business and create linkages and synergies with all the essential players in your business/industry. 

  Professional Skills 

.	• Networking and Relationship Management 
	.	• Leadership 
	.	• Strategy Development  

.	• Microfinance and Financial Inclusion 
	.	• Decision Making 
	.	• Policy Advocacy

•	Industry level investments	•	Governance guidance	•	Can Look at the forest, not the tree	

Professional Experience 
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)                    
Pakistan Microfinance Network, Pakistan                 June 2008 – Till Present 
As a leader running a robust microfinance association my tasks are multi-faceted. In addition to playing a role of carrying out advocacy functions for the industry, I am also in the process of developing a strong management team that can provide quality services to the industry. Given that these are challenging times for the industry where on the one side it is subject to critical questions around its impact and on the other side this industry is transcending with new players entering the BoP market to provide financial services including Mobile Network Operators, Commercial banks, insurance companies and safety net programs. This coupled with institutionalizing a strong set of controls and systems that helps in discussion of diverse ideas with in the network and a consolidated face outside is a task that I am handling strategically, not in piecemeal.   

Policy role: 
• Represents Microfinance Industry on the Agriculture Advisory Committee and Agriculture Credit Committee of State Bank of Pakistan 
• Represent Microfinance Industry in Various Committees of National Financial Inclusion Secretariat including Co-Chair of Microfinance Sub-Committee   
• Led Transition of NGO MFIs into Non-Bank Financial Companies under the regulatory umbrella of SECP 
• Presented a case to SECP for setting up of a task force to develop a regulatory framework and supervise Non-Bank Microfinance Institutions. As a result, SECP has set up a steering committee to oversee development of this framework and approved ToRs drafted by PMN 
• Developed a Startegy to Promote Micro-Insurance in Pakistan  
• Involved in preparing a presentation that shares with Governor SBP challenges being faced by the microfinance sector - Followed up with a concept note that discusses alternative solutions (2009), leading to SBP agreeing to make 90% changes as suggested in the regulatory framework for MFIs 
• Jointly prepared a strategy for microfinance that was presented to the Prime Minister by the Governor State Bank of Pakistan  
• With a former banker, developed a strategy to create linkages between commercial banks and Microfinance providers for increasing access of commercial debt to the industry 
• Interacted with NADRA to sign off on a MoU for the microfinance industry to increase availability of client identification system for the running of a robust credit bureau for the industry (MF-CIB) 
• Strategically developed an eco-system for the setting up of a MF-CIB; secured Rs. 400M funding from donors including SBP, DFID, PPAF and IFAD 
• Wrote a concept note and presented that to the Government for tax relief to Microfinance Banks (2007) 
• Carried out a road show in Washington DC, presenting and pitching microfinance industry of Pakistan to US investors, academia and think tanks 

During my term in office, PMN has made following achievements: 
• Launched a specialized credit bureau for the microfinance sector 
• Member of International Insurance Network 
• Member Global Impact Investment Network 
• Strengthened its relationship with both government (i.e., Ministry of Finance and State Bank of Pakistan) and built relationships with meso level players lime Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and NADRA 
• Currently holds CEO position at the South Asian Microfinance Network 
• Held Chairman position at the South Asian Microfinance Network 
• Member of the Global Steering Committee of Smart Campaign 
• Representative at global forums like “APRACA”, Responsible Finance Forum of G20 platform for financial inclusion, member IFC-The World Bank Group UFA2020 initiative 
• PMN Social Responsibility Analyst sits on global forums like “Social Performance Task Force” 
• Increased its annual revenue from Rs.50M to Rs.250M during the current financial year 
• Built the equity of the organization from Rs. 3M to Rs.200M by the end of December 2016 
• Won “Global Best Network of the Year” award from The SEEP Network 

General Manager 
Pakistan Microfinance Network, Pakistan                February 2006 – June 2008 
 
• Contribute to policy makers by representing PMN at different forums set up by the State Bank of Pakistan 
• Managing relationships with policy makers, donors and investors 
• Managing PMN secretariat - this involves assigning task to staff, determining their salary package, monitoring performance, building team work and building their knowledge as a cutting-edge team  
• Managing relationship with both the current members of the PMN and prospective members 
• Advocating for good financial practices and disclosures by the MFI’s/MFB’s 
• Strategically placing PMN transparency initiative to get buy in from important stakeholders in the microfinance industry nationally and internationally   

Finance Manager & Company Secretary 
Pakistan Microfinance Network, Pakistan                                     February 2001 – February 2006 
 
• Responsible for the preparation and dissemination of the Performance Indicators Report (PIR) published by the PMN that measures and analyzes the performance of Microfinance Institutes in Pakistan 
• Responsible for data collection, reclassification, adjustment and data analysis of member organizations for publication in the Micro Banking Bulletin 
• Comparative analysis of the microfinance sector in Pakistan with other regions of the world 
• Active involvement in the development and delivery of PMN training courses  
• Responsible for maintaining accounts, preparing management and statutory reports. Also required to prepare budgets and coordinate reviews of budgetary performance through the Finance Committee 
• Ensure PMN’s compliance with SECP legal requirements. As Company Secretary, coordinate Board and Annual General Meetings 
• Presentation of issues relating to product pricing and financial sustainability at PMN and national level 

Finance Manager & Company Secretary 
Piedar, Pakistan                                                             August 1996 – February 2001 
• Responsible for the preparation and monitoring of annual budgets, cash budgets and investment of idle funds. Undertook research and performed analysis of financial information and coordination of audits 
• Responsible to analyze microfinance operations, also involved in making financial projections for the organization  
• Managed administration functions of the organization 

Education 
• Associate member of the Institute of Cost & Management Accountant of Pakistan                                       1999 

 Institute of Cost & Management Accountant of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan  
• B.Sc. in Math & Physics                                       1991  

 Federal Board, Islamabad, Pakistan 
 
Trainings and Conferences 
Attended Transformative Leadership Program at London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) in June 2015 
• Attended an “Executive Leadership Program” at the Harvard Business School in April 2010 
• Attended a training arranged by WWB in collaboration with Citi on Financial Risk Management in November 2007 
• Attended a three-weeks’ accreditation program organized at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado in July – August 2004 
• Attended a two-weeks training on ‘Successfully Managing an MFI and Training initiative’ at the ILO training center in Turin 
• Attended a one-week course on ‘Business Planning & Financial Modeling’ in South Africa from September 09 – 14, 2002 
• Attended a two-weeks course on ‘Essential Skills for Microfinance Managers’ in Nairobi, Kenya from June 18 – 29, ‘01 

Publications 
• Coauthored a strategy paper on “Growth Strategy - 2020” for the Microfinance Industry 
• Coauthored a MicroNote on “Commercial Funding Options for the Microfinance Industry” 
• Coauthored a position paper on “Debt Requirements” for the Microfinance industry 
• Coauthored a position paper on “Disaster Risk Management” for the Microfinance Industry of Pakistan  
• Author – Interest Rate Pangs in Microfinance, A PMN Micro Note(2009) 
• Contributing Author – Impact of amendment in prudential regulations allowing MFBs to take subordinate debt (2008) 
• Contributing author Technical Note 1–Recent amendments and challenges of Microfinance Regulation in Pakistan (2006-2007) 
• Advisor on a USAID publication published by Shore Bank International on financial performance trends in Pakistan (2006) 
• Contributing Author on a World Bank and The MIX publication on the financial performance and state of transparency of the microfinance industry in the South Asia Region (2005) 

Awards/Recognitions 
• Sits on the vision 2020 task force for financial inclusion, set up by the Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion Intl,  
• Sits on the Central Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Microfinance Consultative Group 
• Chairman Board of Directors, South Asian Microfinance Network 
• Member of the Global Steering Committee of SMART Campaign 
• Member Advisory Council for Associations at The SEEP Network  

References 
• Mr. Stephen F. Rasmussen, Lead Specialist Technology at CGAP srasmussen@worldbank.org 
• Mr. Zubyr Soomro, Former President Citi-Pakistan, currently Partner Hikmah Consulting and Chairman PMIC zubyrsoomro@gmail.com