Presbyterian Foundation Senior Vice President re-elected to Oikocredit Members Council

Anita Clemmons will serve another three-year term on the council, which promotes global justice and microfinance

by Robyn Davis Sekula, Presbyterian Foundation  | Special to Presbyterian News Service

Anita Clemmons

Anita Clemons was re-elected to the Members Council of Oikocredit at the Annual General Meeting for a three-year term. Clemons serves as Senior Vice President of Investment Management for the Presbyterian Foundation.

Clemons represents North America for the international cooperative. The Members’ Council is a consultation and advisory body which is broadly representative of Oikocredit’s member organizations. It meets between the annual general meetings of members and is elected by the members to reflect and defend their interests.

Oikocredit is a worldwide cooperative society which promotes global justice and encourages people, churches, and others to share their resources through socially responsible investments and by empowering disadvantaged people with credit. Oikocredit is one of the world’s largest sources of private funding to the microfinance sector. it also provides credit to trade cooperatives, fair trade organizations and small-to-medium enterprises in the developing world.

Clemons highlights Oikocredit’s work in Africa, South America and Asia which reaches 38.2 million people. Many are farmers, and the majority are women. “In the time I’ve served on the Oikocredit Members Council, I’ve had the opportunity to more deeply understand the organization and see the impact of its work,” Clemons said. “They’ve become the gold standard for microfinance, always seeking new ways to provide not only funding but training and support. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve.”

The Presbyterian Foundation was a founding member and investor in Oikocredit, founded in 1975 as the Ecumenical Development Cooperative Society. Oikocredit is one of several investments held in the Foundation’s Creative Investment Program. The Creative Investment Program was implemented in 1975 by the 187th General Assembly with the directive to invest funds on six continents that promise high returns in terms of benefits to human needs.

Those areas of concern were to include:

• Self-development of people
• Development assistance
• Racial justice & racial ethnic ministries
• Equal rights for women
• Environmental justice and the quality of life
• Assistance to the economically deprived.

Social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit has 48 years of experience funding organizations active in financial inclusion, agriculture and renewable energy.

Oikocredit’s loans, equity investments and capacity building aim to enable people on low incomes in Africa, Asia and Latin America to sustainably improve their living standards.

Clemons joined the Presbyterian Foundation in 2000 and provides investment management services to PC(USA) partners. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville and a CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation.

If you would like to invest in the mission of Oikocredit or have questions, please contact Clemons at (502) 569-5912 or anita.Clemons@PresbyterianFoundation.org.

Robyn Davis Sekula is Vice President of Communications and Marketing at the Presbyterian Foundation. She is a ruling elder in the PC(USA) and a member of Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville. Send comments on this article to her at robyn.sekula@presbyterianfoundation.org.