How the Millennium Challenge Corporation Approaches Women’s Economic Empowerment
February 25th, 2020 5:00PM -6:30PM
Around the world, women are disproportionately affected by poverty and discrimination. Gender inequality limits women’s participation in shaping economic and social policies and curtails access to economic assets and economic opportunities. Investing in women’s economic empowerment creates a path towards gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth. The United States has undertaken a whole-of-government effort to advance women’s global economic empowerment and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) plays a central role in that. Join the World Affairs Council and Anthony Welcher, the MCC’s Vice President for Compact Operations, for a discussion on how the MCC works with partner countries to unlock the economic potential of women and break down financial, legal, and cultural barriers that prevent women from fully engaging in their countries’ economies.
About the Speaker
Prior to joining the MCC, Anthony Welcher served as Associate Policy Director of External Affairs for the Director at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau where he managed the Bureau’s external facing engagements by overseeing the divisions of Intergovernmental Affairs, Business Liaison, Communications, Legislative Affairs, Advisory Committees and Community Organizations.
He co-founded several firms that engage in political and business investment strategies in the U.S. and across the globe where he developed projects and investment strategies. During his time in the private sector, he served on boards and volunteered time working with not-for-profit organizations in his native Seattle area. He volunteered for the International Republican Institute (IRI), to assist with foreign elected officials and candidates on government transparency and messaging. He also served on the Small Business Administration’s Regulatory Fairness Board for three terms.
During the George W. Bush administration, he served as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. State Department. In this role he served as the Secretary of State’s representative to U.S. governors, local, regional and state officials, and was responsible for all aspects of the Department’s management of U.S. territories and insular areas. During his tenure there he managed international diplomatic missions to fragile nation states and designed multiple programs that required cross collaboration with other federal agencies and engaged disparate community groups. He also served as a protocol officer for several Summits and heads of state visits.
Previously he served as the Director of External Affairs and as a Congressional Liaison at the United States Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank). In this position, he was responsible for promoting U.S. exports, manufacturing and job creation across the country.
Anthony earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington (Seattle).
About the Moderator
Kimberly Davies Lohman is with Resonance, a consultancy at the intersection of international development and corporate sustainability that works with businesses, funders, and other stakeholders to build collaborative sustainable development solutions. Kimberly began her career in international development at Grameen Foundation and Freedom from Hunger, expanding financial services to help women lift themselves out of poverty. Kimberly was also a sustainability strategy consultant at Accenture and gender intern at The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Kimberly earned her MBA with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California at Davis.