We are so excited to introduce our second 2024 Power of the Purse Co-chair, Shamim Okolloh! Get your tickets now for the event you will NOT want to miss!
About Shamim:
Shamim Okolloh was born in Nairobi, Kenya and moved to the US at age 19. She is the Vice President and Community Outreach Officer at Encore Bank. She oversees Encore Bank’s outreach program in Central Arkansas with a focus on financial inclusion for the underserved minority community who are often unbanked and underbanked.
Before joining Encore, Okolloh was the Member Service Coordinator at the Arkansas Foodbank, a position she held since 2014. She also spent three years at Heifer International as the East Africa Program Coordinator where she supported students, teachers, farmers, and community leaders in rural Uganda.
Okolloh has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Spelman College and a Master of Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock. She was named among the Top Ten College Women and feature in Glamour Magazine. Her favorite humans are her two children Liam and Ella and she enjoys East African cuisine.
In 2023 Shamim co-authored a children’s book “Ella The Banker” with her son, Liam (10 years). It was a yearlong process, and the book was releases January 9th, 2024. Liam was inspired by his eight-year-old sister, Ella, who dreams of becoming a banker like her mom. The book encourages girls to consider a career in commercial banking as women, especially women of color, are often underrepresented.
In our August Newsletter a few days ago, Shamim shared her excited to host Power of the Purse this year!
“My journey with the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas began more than a decade ago when I was given a ticket to Power of the Purse. I was inspired by the incredible women who were honored and the critical conversations about financial empowerment. Today, I am proud to continue supporting this event, which serves as a platform for amplifying the vital discussion around the power of women as financial decision-makers.
I recently co-authored a book with my son titled “Ella the Banker.” Inspired by my daughter, who aspires to become a banker, this book seeks to inspire young girls, especially girls of color, to consider a career in banking. I appreciate the parallels I see within our book and the mission of Power of the Purse to empower and uplift girls and women.”
We are so honored to have Shamim be a part of this amazing event and can’t wait for you all to meet her in person, Oct 2nd!! Make sure you secure your tickets and tables TODAY!! We are all so excited to see you at Power of the Purse, presented by Arkansas Children’s Hospital!