Rani Deshpande is an independent consultant with 25 years of experience in management, strategy, and technical assistance in the fields of financial inclusion, poverty alleviation, and youth economic empowerment. Her current work with CGAP focuses on how financial services can contribute to positive outcomes for disadvantaged young women.

Previously, as Director of Financial Capability and Employment at Save the Children, she oversaw a $30M portfolio of global programs designed to provide adults and youth with the opportunities, skills, and tools they need to earn and manage a decent income. She also directed the YouthSave project, a $12.5M, 13-partner consortium initiative to investigate the potential of savings accounts as a tool for youth development and financial inclusion. Ms. Deshpande has also been a management consultant, assisting nonprofit organizations with strategy and business planning at The Bridgespan Group. Earlier, she conducted research and industry-building activities at CGAP, notably around savings.

Ms. Deshpande earned her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and a dual Masters in
International Affairs and MBA from Columbia University.