Blog Archives

The McDougals Celebrate 25 Years in the Opportunity International Family

In 25 years of supporting Opportunity International, Governors Fred and Nancy McDougal say they’ve received more than they’ve given. Fred, founder of textbook publishing giant McDougal Littell (now Holt McDougal), first learned of Opportunity from his friend Dave K. Hardin, a former Opportunity board chair. The McDougals would later honor their friend through generous contributions Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Donors, Insight Trips, Our Leadership, What We're Reading
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Twenty-five Years of Impact: Opportunity International’s Board of Governors

This year, Opportunity International marks the 25th anniversary of our Board of Governors program. The Governors’ long-time impact is a testament to the power of one person, one family and one community of people to change the world. Governors serve as ambassadors for our work and make annual contributions of $5,000 or more to further Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Donors, Our Work
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Deyl Kearin Runs 155-Mile Ultramarathon Sahara Race to End Poverty

This post was written by Deyl Kearin, supporter and member of the Board of Governors, who’s en route right now to Egypt for an ultramarathon, Sahara Race, starting October 28. He’ll run the equivalent of six marathons in six and a half days — a total of 155 miles (250 kilometers) — to help Opportunity’s clients in Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Donors, Events, Faith in Action, Fundraisers, Online Giving, Our Mission and Vision, Our Motivation, Social Media, Where We Work
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Meeting Each of Us Where We Are

The following post was written by Rich McClure, a member of Opportunity’s Board of Governors, about his Insight Trip last week to India. As I finished an impactful Insight Trip to see Opportunity’s operations in Chennai, India, I was convicted again by Jesus’s example of meeting people where they are. No matter how a person Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Faith in Action, Insight Trips, Where We Work
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Meet Our Staff: Starting a New Chapter with the Governors

In October 2011, I took a leap of faith leaving some amazing friends and the fast pace of New York City to come back to my sweet hometown of Chicago. I achieved wonderful things in my career, coordinating conferences for 150-2,500 people, special events, outings, and managing a state of the art conference center for Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Events, Meet Our Staff, Microfinance Conference, Strategic Partners, Young Ambassadors for Opportunity
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What We’re Reading: Darcy Deane on How Great Women Lead in Teen Vogue and More

Seventeen-year-old Darcy Deane and her mom, Bonnie St. John, wrote the book on inspiring female leaders. In How Great Women Lead: A Mother-Daughter Adventure into the Lives of Women Shaping the World, the co-authors profile some of the world’s most inspiring women–from Hillary Rodham Clinton; to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; to Sharon Allen, the first female Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Events, Local Staffing, Our Mission and Vision, Strategic Partners, What We're Reading, Where We Work
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Meet Our Staff: 10 Questions with Lauren Hawley, New Board of Governors Manager

Lauren Hawley arrived at  three weeks ago, taking the role of the manager of the  program. She’ll be working to grow the community and coordinate Governor activities, support Governor events, and strengthen this group of highly committed Opportunity supporters and champions. Get to know our newest team member, Lauren… What did you do before you came here? I Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Our Mission and Vision
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My Lunch with Ghanaian Staff Member Vida

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to have lunch with Vida Marfo of Opportunity International. She is the Regional Head of Small/Medium Enterprise (SME) and a Manager for Property Folios at Opportunity Ghana. Vida was kind enough to do an interview with me so I could share what I learned from her with all Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Loans, Local Staffing, Our Work, Strategic Partners, Training, Where We Work
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Celebrating 40 Years of Microfinance with the “Holiday Fête” in Scottsdale, Arizona

On Tuesday evening, Dec. 6, 2011, the members of Opportunity International’s Arizona Board of Governors hosted the “Holiday Fête: Commemorating 40 Years of Client Impact and Transformation,” a 40th-anniversary celebration at the Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale. “ is proud to celebrate our 40th year of working alongside our clients, staff and supporters to fight global poverty,” Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Events, Insight Trips, Our Work, Young Ambassadors for Opportunity
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Opportunity Celebrates 40 Years at “Side by Side” Gala in Minneapolis

Last Thursday night, more than 400 guests gathered at International Market Square in Minneapolis, Minn. to celebrate Opportunity International‘s 40th anniversary at a gala event, “Side by Side: Celebrating 40 Years of Opportunity.” The evening included entertainment by Minnesota resident and contemporary Christian singer Sara Groves and the African musical group Duniya Drum and Dance, Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Events, Faith in Action, Our Leadership, Our Mission and Vision, Our Motivation, Our Work, Where We Work, Young Ambassadors for Opportunity
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