WASHINGTON, D.C., May 29, 2024 – Global nonprofit Accion today announced the appointment of Karthik Venkataraman as Chief Operating Officer. Venkataraman will lead efforts to strengthen Accion’s global operations, as the organization works to create a fair and inclusive economy where underserved people have quality financial choices and opportunities to improve their economic well-being.
Venkataraman joins from Bain & Company, bringing nearly 20 years of consulting experience across many sectors, including financial services and other consumer-facing businesses, and having worked as an expert in Bain’s Organization and Change Management practices.
Michael Schlein, President and CEO of Accion, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Karthik Venkataraman as Accion’s new Chief Operating Officer. Karthik will strengthen our operations, as we continue to build a strong platform for future growth, bringing cheaper, customer-friendly solutions to the nearly 2 billion people globally who are failed by the financial system.”
“I am honored to be joining Accion at a really exciting time in the organization’s growth,” said Karthik Venkataraman. “Accion is a unique organization, bringing together investment strategies, advisory solutions, and expert thought leadership to make responsible solutions available to people who are currently excluded from the financial system. Having advised the team over the last 8 years, I look to forward to helping Accion strengthen its operations and leadership, delivering scalable solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women globally.”
At Bain & Company, Venkataraman also led work with investor clients on portfolio advisory and spearheaded many of the company’s social impact efforts, working with organizations in financial inclusion, agriculture, and education. Venkataraman held several people leadership roles at Bain and was a leader for the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, having led Bain’s own DE&I transformation. He is a long-time advisor to Accion, having supported the organization’s new strategy process and other initiatives.
Prior to Bain, Venkataraman worked in the technology sector. He holds a graduate degree from Princeton University, and post-graduate degrees from Johns Hopkins SAIS and The Wharton School.
About Accion
Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the nearly two billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build more than 230 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 75 countries, reaching more than 350 million people. More at www.accion.org.