Anne H. Hastings
Anne Hastings, Ph.D. (She/Her) is a distinguished leader in global development and microfinance, currently serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors for University of Fondwa USA, Inc. and as a board member of Father Joseph Network USA. Based in Rockville, Maryland, Anne leverages her expertise in public policy and international development to advance educational and economic opportunities for underserved communities, particularly in Haiti. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University. Anne brings decades of leadership experience in nonprofit management, microfinance, and global advocacy. She served as Managing Director of Fonkoze and CEO of Sèvis Finansye Fonkoze (SFF) in Haiti, overseeing the growth of the nation’s largest microfinance institution from just two volunteers to over 900 employees serving more than 220,000 clients. She later led the Microfinance CEO Working Group, coordinating strategic efforts across ten global networks impacting 71 million low-income individuals in 89 countries. Anne also contributed as a Global Advocate and Quality Assurance Advisor with Uplift, shaping global strategies to scale proven poverty-alleviation approaches. Throughout her career, Anne has been recognized for her commitment to transparency, accountability, and social impact. She is fluent in English and Haitian Creole and is actively engaged in multiple organizations, including the Leadership Collaborative to End Ultra-Poverty. With over 500 professional connections and a strong presence in global development circles, Anne continues to champion innovative solutions that expand access to education, financial services, and social programs for the world’s most vulnerable populations.
• Duke University - BA
• University of Virginia, Ph.D.
• Honorary Doctorate, Business Leadership, Duquesne University
• End Ultra-Poverty: A Global Collaborative
• Vice President, University of Fondwa USA
• Board Member, FJN USA Board of Directors
• Welcome Committee, Ingleside at King Farm
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of strong mentorship, strategic vision, and deep empathy. After earning my Ph.D., I began my career in consulting in Washington, D.C., but in 1995 I answered a call to Haiti, where I dedicated myself to empowering Haitians—mainly women—to lift their families out of poverty. Over the next 17 years, I helped build Haiti’s largest microfinance institution from the ground up—a network of 47 branches serving hundreds of thousands of clients in a financially sustainable manner, while ensuring that Haitian women led at every level. Today, as Vice President of the Board of the University of Fondwa USA, my proudest work lies in supporting the next generation’s education and leadership. Throughout my journey, the heart of my work has always been the Haitian people. Their integrity, dignity, and unwavering pursuit of opportunity have shaped both my career and my life, leaving me with a lifetime of meaningful relationships and shared impact.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Ask yourself what you believe in most deeply. Then take everything you’ve learned—your skills, your experiences, your relationships—and put it in service of that.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be bold. Find a compelling vision you can commit to—and build the circles of influence needed to achieve it. Learn to see problems as opportunities, and meet them with a willingness to say “yes.”
Seek out partners. Be honest about the challenges and barriers you face, and invite others to share their knowledge, guidance, and support. When you feel stressed or uncertain, return to your purpose and to your partners —they are your strength. And trust that unexpected opportunities will appear.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, accountability, trust
