WASHINGTON, D.C., June 23, 2025 — Global nonprofit Accion today announced the appointment of Marisa Lago to its Board of Directors. Lago is the former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. She was appointed by President Biden to lead the federal government’s efforts to assist American businesses entering or expanding into international markets, enforcing fair trade policies, promoting U.S. products and services overseas, and engaging in commercial diplomacy across the globe.
“We are thrilled to welcome Marisa Lago to the Accion Board of Directors,” said Diana Taylor, Accion Board Chair. “Marisa brings extensive knowledge of the global business landscape and deep experience of what is needed to promote small businesses here in the U.S. and around the world. This experience, together with her strong background in finance and compliance, will help power Accion’s work to create a fair and inclusive economy where underserved people have quality financial choices and opportunities to improve their economic well-being.”
Lago has a distinguished career in public service with expertise in international markets, trade, financial regulation and enforcement. Before joining the International Trade Administration, she led the New York City Department of City Planning and the City Planning Commission. In the Obama-Biden Administration, she served in the Department of the Treasury as Assistant Secretary for International Markets and Development.
Previously at Citigroup Inc, she served as the Chief Compliance Officer of the Corporate and Investment Bank. She has also served as President and CEO of the New York Empire State Development Corp., Director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority and Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Boston, and Director of the Office of International Affairs for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“In the course of my career, I’ve seen the important role that small businesses play in the global economy, especially in emerging markets. Yet many of the people that own and operate these small businesses are unable to access savings, credit and insurance, or secure payments provided by the financial system,” said Marisa Lago. “With innovative new technologies, we can change this, and so I am delighted to join the Accion Board of Directors and support the organization’s work to develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for low-income people globally.”
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 solutions, 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 285 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 77 countries, reaching 478 million people. More at https://www.accion.org.
