Our Mission
To cultivate a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable world
Our Values
We aim to serve for and with others, gratefully collaborating with those who share our mission. Grounded in empathy and humility, we embrace disruptive technologies with the potential to uplift people. We thoughtfully explore new methods, systems, and practices that seek to advance and transform small businesses. We share our knowledge and resources with others so that they may practice zero-interest microfinance within their own communities and beyond.
What We Do
With borrowers in over 10 countries spread across 4 continents, we work to empower small entrepreneurs at or near the poverty line by increasing financial literacy and providing critical banking services.
Our Approach
Partner
Through dynamic partnerships with social enterprises around the world, ZiM identifies potential borrowers and unique collaborative opportunities.
Educate
In cooperation with our partners, ZiM provides vital financial education and skills training to members of globally underserved communities.
Transform
With zero-interest microloans, ZiM empowers small entrepreneurs to develop their profitability and grow their businesses, ultimately helping to break cycles of poverty.
Our Team
Emma Pigott
Operations Manager
Emma is a senior political science major and international business minor from Chicago, IL. Throughout her time at Santa Clara, she has served as a mentor for Women in Business, a Peer Educator for an international economics and development course, and the Associate Editor of the international business minor blog. She is passionate about microfinance as a tool for overcoming economic, social, and political inequality.
Brendan Larkin
Fintech Officer
Brendan is a junior in the Leavey School of Business studying finance. Originally from Chicago, he is a member of the SCU Investment Banking Club and SCU Finance Association. Brendan hopes to use his computer science background to integrate fintech and other software solutions into the ZiM platform. Through ZiM, he hopes to help entrepreneurs around the world achieve their personal and financial goals.
Ryan Sullivan
Communications and PR Officer
Ryan is a freshman studying finance in the Leavey School of Business. He has an intellectual curiosity for examining wealth inequality nationally and internationally. In addition to his microfinance blog, he operates his own blog on the US racial wealth gap, in order to spread awareness about social entrepreneurship and the continuing impact of institutional racism on African Americans, to other college students.
Justin Armanino
Project Officer
Justin is a senior finance major and economics minor at Santa Clara’s Leavey School of Business, as well as a member of the University Honors Program. Born and raised in Danville, CA, he has a passion for ESG and Nonprofit work, and was introduced to the concept of microfinance through Professor Le. Justin has a particular interest in how financial literacy can be utilized in tandem with microfinance to promote self-efficacy in underserved communities.
Antonio Mora
Project Officer
Antonio is a senior from San Jose studying management at the Leavey School of Business. He is also a LEAD Scholar and member of SCU Sports Business. Antonio holds a number of leadership positions at Santa Clara including as a Marketing Intern for SCU Athletics and Co-Cultural Chair for the LatinX Student Union. His passion for ZiM stems from his personal experiences growing up with immigrant parents and his desire to give back to his community.
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