Jessica Flannery

As co-founder of Kiva, a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to struggling entrepreneurs who cannot afford or obtain assistance otherwise, Jessica Flannery's presentations focus on how the world can do its part to help those in need to fulfill their dreams.

Inspired by a speech from Nobel Peace prize recipient Muhammad Yunus, she resigned from her previous job and traveled to East Africa where she witnessed how a little bit of money can go a long way for small businesses and entrepreneurs. With that in mind, Jessica Flannery returned home where she husband, Matt Flannery worked together to create Kiva. Motivated by the stories of successes, failures and challenges in East Africa, she designed Kiva's system so the world could participate in the supporting the aspiring entrepreneur. Jessica Flannery's presentations often resonate with her passion for helping others and how people can work together to provide affordable and manageable unburdening assistance.

She graduated with a BA in Philosophy and Political Science from Bucknell University and has an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. She also has a certificate in Global Management and Public Management. She also teaches Global Entrepreneurship at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.