Isabella Mwasaru, Financial Literacy trainer , community mobilizer, program officer, Debt management,credit control ,Data Enumerator

About

I am a dedicated professional committed to empowering individuals and communities to achieve financial independence and sustainable livelihoods. I have over two decades in the fields of community development, financial literacy, and enterprise development, 10 years of which I have been in finance and banking. I am an experienced senior-level professional recognized for providing operational guidance and supervising the preparation and formulation of appropriate relationship management programs. I am an expert in relationship management, controlling product marketing, managing the existence of corporate clients, setting business performance standards for acquisition, credit risk analysis, and ensuring the presentation of quality analysis. My expertise lies in providing tailored financial literacy training and entrepreneurship education, designing and delivering training programs that address the specific needs and challenges of diverse populations, and equipping them with practical tools for financial management, business development, and market access. I thrive in dynamic environments where I can leverage my expertise to drive positive change and empower individuals to achieve economic independence and financial well-being

Experience

International Rescue Committee

Dec 2020 – Dec 2021

Nairobi, Kenya

Senior Business Training and Apprenticeship officer

Supported business training officers in developing work plans and assuming leadership roles for Business and Life Skills training, as well as supervising the management and implementation of the Urban Savings and Loaning Livelihoods project. ▪ Provided technical support and evidence-based strategies for livelihood interventions. ▪ Scheduled cohorts for business and life skills training, ensuring that all vocational training, apprenticeship, and literacy beneficiaries received introductory training sessions before commencing other activities. ▪ Delivered training materials to clients as the primary trainer/facilitator and scheduled other trainers as necessary for specific cohorts or sessions. ▪ Trained Livelihoods Center Resource staff in delivering business and life skills sessions. ▪ Collaborated with center staff and ERD management to recommend clients for placement in apprenticeships and provided recommendations for matching them with employers. ▪ Conducted weekly visits to apprenticeship sites to verify work conditions, beneficiary presence, and troubleshoot any issues in the working relationship. ▪ Conducted bi-weekly meetings with beneficiaries through calls, interviews, or focus group discussions as appropriate, ensuring accurate processing of beneficiary payments. ▪ Conducted individual business development sessions with clients and coached them through the development of business plans and grant applications. ▪ Assisted in designing, collecting, and analyzing data on local labor market trends, livelihood profiles of specific urban areas, market opportunities, and skills gaps to identify demand-driven opportunities for job creation. Oversaw the formation of associations for the Livelihood Resource center and directly implemented and monitored activities alongside incentive workers. ▪ Coordinated closely with IRC logistics, finance, and grant staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures.

Equity Group Foundation

Apr 2018 – Nov 2020

Nairobi, Kenya

Enterprise Development officer

Mobilized target groups for training as part of the Young Africa Works Kenya Program, a collaboration between Equity Group Foundation and Mastercard Foundation. ▪ Identified challenges to financial self-sufficiency, devised effective solutions, and developed programs to address these challenges for eligible customers. ▪ Conducted training sessions for VSLA groups on budgeting, savings, debt management, financial services, entrepreneurship education, and business development, along with providing mentorship programs. ▪ Provided business skills and money management training to people living with HIV, disabilities, and refugees to enhance livelihoods and foster employment opportunities. ▪ Mentored and trained individuals residing in slum areas on financial literacy and fostered financial independence. ▪ Assisted in receiving, sorting, and selecting candidates for the Wings to Fly Scholars program. ▪ Collected relevant data for different programs to ensure desired outcomes. ▪ Implemented training and mentorship programs for target groups. ▪ Compiled weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports. ▪ Monitored and evaluated program progress. ▪ Encouraged customers to take charge of their financial well-being. ▪ Provided direct services to eligible customers as outlined in the foundation's work plan. ▪ Managed the client progress tracking system to ensure timely support for customers

Equity Bank Ltd

Nov 2010 – Mar 2018

Nairobi, Kenya

Senior Relationship Officer

Coordinated the activities of the SME teams within the branch. ▪ Engaged in client acquisition to establish new client relationships, thereby enhancing segment sales and market share. ▪ Actively managed business client portfolios by segmenting the SME market and prioritizing the optimal allocation of time and resources. ▪ Provided financial literacy education to customers. ▪ Cultivated and nurtured customer relationships. ▪ Assessed customers to ensure they possessed the ability to repay the facility to the satisfaction of the bank. ▪ Assisted customers in completing loan application forms accurately. ▪ Conducted customer visits at both residential and business premises. ▪ Documented credit-related documents. ▪ Oversaw loan disbursement processes. ▪ Monitored and followed up according to credit procedures. ▪ Managed the filing and maintenance of security movement files. ▪ Supervised and ensured compliance program implementation. ▪ Handled collections, portfolio management, monitored loan book quality, and generated reports. ▪ Coordinated the activities of the SME teams within the branch.

Education

Jomokenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Feb 2014 – Jun 2018

Bachelor of Commerce , Finance

Technical University of Mombasa

Jan 2003 – Nov 2005

Diploma in Marketing , Marketing

Isabella Mwasaru

Financial Literacy trainer , community mobilizer, program officer, Debt management,credit control ,Data Enumerator

Skills

Languages