Learning without Borders

"𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 — 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁."

That’s the approach that’s guided Sam Mendelson’s career in Financial Inclusion — a path that began with a powerful childhood memory of witnessing deep poverty while traveling with his parents.

That moment stayed with him, planting the seed for a career driven by the belief that everyone deserves fair access to opportunity.

In this clip from the 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺’𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 event, Sam shares how his zigzag journey — from microfinance risk reports to international impact work — was finally given a name: Purpose.

With a little help from Phyllis SantaMaria, he realized he’d been living it all along.

🎥 Watch the video — and if you’re a professional wondering how your own story might lead to impact, book a free 30-minute Clarity Call here:
👉 https://ivtshort.com/claritycall

Phyllis here - I keep getting asked, "What sparked your journey into Financial Inclusion?"

At the Financial Inclusion Forum’s 20th Anniversary event, I shared the story behind my mission. From a hard-hitting funding loss in East London to a life-changing encounter with Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, my journey shows that each of us can turn our skills into impact so we can leave a legacy.

🎥 Watch my story in 8 minutes and share with me your thoughts in the comments!

🎉 This week, we celebrated a true milestone — 𝟮𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 (𝗙𝗜𝗙) and the incredible leadership of our co-founder, 𝗗𝗿 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮.

From its roots as the UK Microfinance Club in 2005 to becoming a trusted platform for financial inclusion champions across the sector, FIF has always had one constant: Phyllis. Her unwavering commitment to justice and inclusion has shaped not only the Forum’s direction but also the lives and careers of countless individuals working to build a fairer financial system.

Phyllis’s journey began with personal experiences of exclusion in the segregated South of the US — and what she turned that into is nothing short of remarkable. She has helped build a community where inclusion is more than a buzzword. It’s a mission.

Now, as she steps into the role of Director Emeritus, we’re celebrating her impact — and also inviting the next generation to step forward.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, “ 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙄 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙖 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚?” — 𝗹𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸. We’re offering a 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 to help professionals and SMEs map out how to lead with purpose and impact.

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:
👉 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗶𝘃𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹

Thank you, Phyllis. Here’s to your legacy — and the future leaders you’re still inspiring.

🎉 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 🎉

“It’s about purpose — both personal and collective.”

Join us as 𝗦𝗮𝗺 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻 shares his journey from the early days of the Microfinance Club in 2008 to becoming a leading voice in financial inclusion today.

At the 𝟮𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺, we’ll reflect on two decades of impact and look ahead to the future of inclusive finance — with insights from practitioners, pioneers, and changemakers like Sam.

📍 𝗦𝗢𝗔𝗦, 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻
📅 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲
🕡 𝟭𝟴:𝟯𝟬–2𝟭:𝟬𝟬
💻 Or join us online via Zoom

🎟️ 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘄:
👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/20th-anniversary-of-the-financial-inclusion-forum-tickets-1333692573389

Let’s come together to celebrate the power of inclusion — and build what’s next.

🎥 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 — 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗮𝗺 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝘁 🌍

As we prepare to celebrate 𝟮𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺, we’re spotlighting the stories that make this community so powerful.

At our anniversary event, 𝗦𝗮𝗺 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝘁 will share how financial inclusion helped him uncover his purpose — and how you can find yours too.

💡 Connect with passionate practitioners
🎤 Hear stories of impact and purpose
🔗 Explore how you can get involved

📍 𝗦𝗢𝗔𝗦, 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻
📅 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲
🕡 𝟭𝟴:𝟯𝟬–2𝟭:𝟬𝟬
💻 Or join us online via Zoom

🎟️ 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:
👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/20th-anniversary-of-the-financial-inclusion-forum-tickets-1333692573389

Let’s celebrate 20 years of inclusive finance — and the people behind it.

🎉 You’re Invited! 🎉
Join us as we celebrate 20 years of impact at the Financial Inclusion Forum!

From microfinance to early childhood development, discover how financial inclusion is transforming lives — and meet changemakers like Stella, who’s joining us live from Zoom! 🌍✨

📅 Monday 2nd June
🕡 18:30–21:00
📍 SOAS, University of London
💻 Or join us online via Zoom

🎟️ Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/20th-anniversary-of-the-financial-inclusion-forum-tickets-1333692573389

Let’s shape the next 20 years of inclusive finance — together.

💡 What is financial inclusion—and why does it matter?

In this short video, Phyllis Santamaria breaks down why over a billion people still lack access to fair, affordable financial services—even in developed countries—and how mobile apps, local partnerships, and innovative solutions like climate insurance are transforming lives.

📱 From safer savings to affordable loans, remittances, and better money management, financial inclusion unlocks opportunity and resilience for all.

🎥 Watch the video to learn more—and get inspired to take action.

📅 Then join us on Monday 2nd June in London or online for the 20th Anniversary of the Financial Inclusion Forum at SOAS University of London OR ONLINE via ZOOM. Hear from global practitioners, explore real-life impact stories, and discover how you can get involved.

👉 Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/20th-anniversary-of-the-financial-inclusion-forum-tickets-1333692573389?aff=oddtdtcreator

🌍 From Bangladesh to the UK, mobile money in Kenya to refugee support with digital IDs – financial inclusion is changing lives across the globe. 💡

In this inspiring video, Phyllis Santamaria shares real-world examples of how access to credit, savings, and financial services empowers communities—from women-led enterprises in Bangladesh to farmers in Ghana and families here in the UK escaping predatory lending.

🎥 Watch the video to see the impact in action and discover how YOU can be part of this global movement.

📅 Then, join us on Monday 2nd June in London or online for the 20th Anniversary of the Financial Inclusion Forum at SOAS or ONLINE VIA ZOOM.

👉 Register FREE now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/20th-anniversary-of-the-financial-inclusion-forum-tickets-1333692573389?aff=oddtdtcreator