Stephen Rasmussen has 40 years of development and financial inclusion experience. He is based in Pakistan and has major contributions as a board member and advisor for several development, education, and financial service organisations. From 2004-2023, Mr Rasmussen worked for CGAP, most recently as the CEO. CGAP is a resource centre housed in the World Bank Group, dedicated to empowering people living in poverty through financial inclusion. In 2014-2015, Mr Rasmussen established and was the first CEO of Karandaaz Pakistan, a start-up company focused on small business finance, digital financial inclusion, and innovation in the financial sector. From 2001 to 2008, he was the CEO of the Pakistan Microfinance Network. He served as the CEO of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, a large rural development programme in northern Pakistan from 1994 to 2003. He also supported the establishment of the first Microfinance Bank in Pakistan there. Prior to that, Mr Rasmussen worked in the healthcare sector with the Aga Khan University and the Aga Khan Health services in Pakistan.