NYU School of Professional Studies Supports Women’s World Banking in its 2021 Fintech Innovation Challenge

The School’s Renowned Continuing Education Courses and Certificates Will be Awarded as Prizes for Winners of the Competition Who Use Fintech to Serve Unbanked and Underserved Women

NEW YORK, June 22, 2021 – The NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS), a national and global leader in continuing education that plays an instrumental role in meeting the needs of the evolving workforce and providing pathways to professional success, has become a contributing partner in the Women’s World Banking 2021 Fintech Innovation Challenge. The competition, now in its third year, affords a global stage to highlight fintech innovations serving unbanked and underserved women in order to build their security and prosperity in the face of these global inequalities. It brings together the top minds in fintech to develop quality solutions that encourage and enable women’s financial inclusion.

Martin Ihrig, associate dean of the NYU School of Professional Studies, Division of Programs in Business and a board member of Women’s World Banking, played an instrumental role in cultivating the collaboration between NYU SPS and Women’s World Banking, introducing the incentive of NYU SPS continuing education courses and certificates as prizes for Fintech Innovation Challenge winners. Entrepreneurial ideas that promote relevance and reach, innovation, empowerment, sustainability, gender diversity, scalability, and responsibility will be selected by a panel of judges, and winners will receive up to $4,000 to be applied towards the cost of any NYU School of Professional Studies continuing education course or certificate.

“The synergy between NYU SPS, a leader in educational innovation that empowers individuals to reach their full potential through diverse and inclusive learning opportunities, and Women’s World Banking in its ability to level the financial playing field for women around the world, provided a natural partnership for doing good, while advancing the critical missions of both institutions,” noted Ihrig. “Our shared vision to improve the lives and the livelihoods of others affords an amazing platform for equitable outcomes, and diversity and inclusion in a changing world. Winners of the competition can use the prize of NYU SPS classes and certificates to sharpen their skills for their entrepreneurial ventures in a way that empowers them to advance the well-being and equality of those who must have a voice and a seat at the table.”

“We are delighted to collaborate with the NYU School of Professional studies on this game-changing initiative. The School’s support in providing incentives for leaders in fintech to share their ideas and their influence in a truly meaningful way, is an invaluable contribution to the success of this year’s Fintech Innovation Challenge,” said Mary Ellen Iskenderian, president and CEO, Women’s World Banking.

About the NYU School of Professional Studies
Celebrating 86 Years of Excellence in Applied Professional Education
For 86 years, the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS) has been a deeply respected institution of higher education that is grounded in applied learning. From its early years, training returning World War II veterans to fulfill the nation’s urgent need for skilled technical workers, it has evolved into a professional education powerhouse that offers 20 graduate degrees, 13 bachelor’s degrees for traditional and post-traditional students, four associate’s degrees, and a plethora of continuing education courses and credentials.

NYU SPS is a thought leader, and serves as an incubator for new ideas in industries that are constantly changing, including real estate, real estate development, and construction management; hospitality, tourism, travel, and event management; global affairs and global security, conflict, and cybercrime; global sport and sports business; publishing; marketing; public relations; project management; executive coaching and organizational consulting, human resource management and development, and human capital analytics and technology; management and systems; translation; and professional writing. It is focused on building skills that open doors to opportunities in emerging fields and global markets. NYU SPS faculty members are leading experts in their areas of discipline, with a hands-on approach that encourages students to push beyond their limits and to break new ground.

Home to some of the largest and most prestigious industry conferences in the world, including the Schack Institute of Real Estate’s Capital Markets Conference, REIT Symposium, and National Symposium of Women in Real Estate; and the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality’s International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, the School’s invaluable connections to industry leaders is a truly distinguishing factor in the education that it provides. Through career development services and resources provided by the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development at NYU SPS, guest lecturers, site visits, participation in numerous conferences and events, and Global Field Intensives, students benefit from an NYU education that will set them apart. In addition, they have the opportunity to learn from and network with more than 30,000 NYU SPS alumni who live, work, and contribute to innovation in industry around the world. To learn more about NYU SPS visit: sps.nyu.edu.

About Women’s World Banking
Women’s World Banking designs and invests in financial solutions, institutions, and policy environments in emerging markets to create greater economic stability and prosperity for women, their families, and their communities. With a global reach of 56 partners in 31 countries serving more than 69 million women clients, Women’s World Banking drives impact through its scalable, market-driven solutions; gender lens private equity fund; and leadership and diversity programs. To learn more about Women’s World Banking, visit womensworldbanking.org.