Every year, Kivans push the boundaries of what’s possible — building new tools, strengthening partnerships, and finding more meaningful ways to expand access to capital around the world. In 2025, that work came to life through deeper storytelling, innovative products, data-driven impact, and a culture rooted in collaboration and care. From climate-smart lending tools to new ways for lenders to see and grow their impact, these staff picks highlight the moments, ideas, and initiatives that inspired our team most this year — and point to what’s possible when a global community comes together around opportunity.
Lyndsae Peele, Senior Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Manager
I oversee nationwide strategies and partnerships that drive financial inclusion by expanding equitable access to Kiva’s community-backed, 0% no-fee loans for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
What are you most excited about from this year?
“In 2025, we amplified more voices across the Kiva ecosystem — our borrowers, partners, and Capital Access Managers who make this work come alive. This year was all about deeper storytelling, stronger partnerships, and elevating the communities we serve.”
Joel Hughey, Senior Director, Impact
I ensure our impact drives our strategy, and that we have the frameworks, tools and resources to continue to learn about the impact Kiva is making, how we can do better, and drive positive change amongst our amazing ecosystem of partners.
Favorite Kiva impact innovation in 2025?
“This year we developed and implemented the Climate Compass, which is a tool that assesses where our partners are at in their climate journeys. We've now rolled this tool out to over 30 Kiva Lending Partners, and the insights are so valuable. We're learning so much about the needs, opportunities and challenges that our partners face in the climate space, all of which will help us develop our Climate Smart Toolkit to support partners in tackling these needs more effectively.”
Sandy Paparisto, Director, People Business Partner
I focus on benefits, employee experience, general support and people strategy.
Favorite employee engagement initiative of the year?
“Kiva’s ongoing recognition efforts via NectarHR have really stood out to me this year as a formative and positive piece of our culture. Every day, a series of kind and supportive shout-outs fly around from Kivan to Kivan — and it’s not only wonderfully mood-boosting and positive, but also a great window into what others are working on, and where opportunities for cross-collaborating might lie. The points and challenges are a fun gamified aspect, too, that give our team flexibility to encourage various actions. Ultimately, Kivans and their natural inclination towards appreciation have made Nectar a success, and I love seeing that reflected in our feed every day!”
Joe Travis, Principal Software Engineer
I make sure all the ones and zeroes end up where they’re supposed to be.
What was your favorite project you worked on in 2025?
"My favorite project of 2025 has been Giving Funds. Though it is similar to our other auto lending products, it promises to unleash the power of collective fundraising in a way that I don’t think we’ve seen since Kiva started crowdfunding its first loan. I’m excited to see the impact that we can unlock with this new fundraising model!"
Cynthia Betubiza, Communications Manager
I work collaboratively to create educational and promotional materials for Kiva’s online audiences, to spread the word about Kiva’s impact areas, campaigns, and more.
What was your favorite social media campaign of the year?
"I really enjoyed collaborating with the rest of the team on our World Refugee Day campaign. The creative and email marketing teams put together amazing graphics and copy that asked our audience to put themselves in the shoes of refugees after they leave their homes, asking them to imagine having to flee their homes with nothing and start over somewhere new, especially without the financial tools and resources one would need. I created an educational post to accompany this and together, I think the full campaign was brilliantly done!"
Maddie Kong, Product Design Intern
I am currently a product design intern on the marketplace team.
Favorite thing you learnt this year?
"Both my favorite and the most important thing I learned at Kiva was that it's always incredibly helpful and a blast to collaborate with your community & team. I have a lot of fun memories listening to people talk about their work, offer critique, and of course watch the discussion turn into a full blown creative jam sesh with overflowing ideas!"
Shehaam Houkal, Senior Director of Product
I lead the strategy for lender experiences on the website.
What's your favorite product innovation of the year?
"My favorite Kiva product innovation this year is the new lender dashboard. It provides lenders with a clear view of their impact at a glance, updates on changes since their last visit, and clear next steps to further expand their impact."
Beth Kinyanjui, Impact Manager
I collect evidence of Kiva’s impact among underserved communities and use these insights to strengthen the capacity of Kiva's partners to deliver more impactful services.
What is your favourite impact data point from 2025?
"Credit alone is not enough. The most vulnerable benefit most when credit is combined with additional services. Vulnerable clients accessing additional services report dramatically better quality of life outcomes (84% report improved quality of life, versus 70% of those who access credit alone). They also report superior savings performance, with 64% reporting increased savings compared to 38% of those who access only credit. Additional services also reduce the likelihood of savings depletion."
Juniper Bea, Copywriter
I find new and engaging ways to show how Kiva impacts lives worldwide.
Favorite borrower story this year?
"Elizabeth’s story was a joy to write. I was deeply touched by her drive to provide her daughter with as many opportunities as possible, even if it meant leaving behind everything she knew. Plus, her orange cat is adorable."
What we’re reading
End the year with a dose of inspiration! Here's what the team is loving from the Kiva blog this year…
Supporting more refugees in Uganda
“Visiting UGAFODE’s new center in the Kyangwali refugee settlement, I saw what “expanding financial access” truly means. Now, Kiva lenders can help refugees in that area get the capital they need to start small businesses, something that wasn’t possible before.”
— Lev Plaves, Director of Investments
The ripple effects of investing in women
“It’s exciting to see real outcomes that confirm what I see again and again in Kiva’s work; when women gain access to fair capital, they don’t just build businesses — they transform the systems around them.”
— Kendra, Director of Investments, Europe & Asia
Fighting climate change on Kiva.org
“The people most threatened by climate change are often the same people we serve, and their resourcefulness amazes me. Our role is to help strengthen that resilience through things like access to water, improved crops, and renewable energy.”
— Patrick, Senior Investment Manager
Why access to capital matters
“I’m always struck by the hustle of small entrepreneurs. They persevere, grow their businesses, and invest in their families. People know how to solve the challenges in front of them; they just need the right capital at the right time.”
— Rachel, Senior Director, Impact Investments
A year of connection
These reflections tell the story of a year defined by connection: to borrowers and partners, to one another as colleagues, and to the mission that brings Kivans together across roles and regions. Whether it’s a powerful data insight, a product that unlocks collective action, or a campaign that deepens empathy, each highlight underscores the same truth — impact is strongest when it’s built collaboratively. As we head into 2026, we’re carrying forward the lessons, momentum, and inspiration of this year, energized by what we’ve learned and excited for what we’ll build next.
