Zar Wardak

Vice President of Global Business and Customer Strategy

Zar Wardak is Vice President of Global Business and Customer Strategy, where she leads financial, social, and environmental performance. She sets and implements FIF’s strategic vision for business strategy and sustainable growth.

Zar is highly skilled in strategic planning, fintech relationships, business unit development, project management, and marketing. She oversees talent management and the development of an organizational culture that prioritizes diversity, inclusion, and belonging, including gender inclusion initiatives for both customers and staff.

Zar began her FINCA career in 2010 as CEO of FINCA Afghanistan, where the company was able to achieve sustainability within three years, with significant engagement of women entrepreneurs. After Afghanistan, Zar oversaw and expanded FINCA’s microfinance operations throughout South Asia and the Middle East, leading successful efforts to transform business models and platforms and embrace digital financial services.

Previously, Zar worked in the financial services industry as a consultant and as a sales director at Citibank. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from Southwestern College in Kansas and a Master of Science in Peace Operations from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.