Muhammad Yunus

Professor Yunus, the “father of microfinance,” founded the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh on the premise that the poor are creditworthy. In 2006, Professor Yunus and the Grameen Bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for their efforts to create economic and social development from below.” Professor Yunus is only one of six people in history to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Congressional Gold Medal. Professor Yunus published his work on microfinance and social business in his books, Banker, to the Poor, Creating a World Without Poverty, and Building Social Business. Professor Yunus serves on the Board of Grameen Research, which provides research, training, and support in the field of microfinance, as well as Sing for Hope, an organization dedicated to transforming underserved communities through arts outreach programs.