Jean Gilson

Senior Vice President, Global Strategy, DAI

Ms. Gilson is Executive Chair of the MicroVest Board and Senior Vice President of Global Strategy at DAI. Ms. Gilson has more than 35 years of experience in global development, policy, and banking across both developed and emerging markets. At DAI, Ms. Gilson oversees corporate strategy development, planning, and execution; global marketing and communications; and the incubation of corporate growth initiatives.

In between her two stints at DAI, Ms. Gilson was the Senior Policy Advisor for USAID from 2004 to 2006, and served for four years as USAID’s senior representative and Country Manager in Vietnam, stationed in Hanoi. Ms. Gilson also served as an IFC-appointed Board member for Cambodia’s ACLEDA Bank during its transition from a microfinance institution to a commercial bank. She serves on the board of multiple organizations, including the Programs Advisory Council of Trees for the Future; the SID-International Governing Council in Rome, and the Society for International Development, USA chapter.

Ms. Gilson has an M.A. in international law and economics from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and an M.B.A. equivalent certificate from the First National Bank of Chicago. She completed her undergraduate degree at Georgetown University with a B.A. in economics and English.