Student Board 2025-2026
Sloane Easton
President
Sloane Easton is a Senior at Horace Mann School in the Bronx, New York. She developed an interest in microfinance in 8th grade when researching ways to help improve social mobility in developing countries, combining her passion for business and philanthropy. Building on her interest, she founded a microfinance initiative called Women Fund Women where she identified successful women-owned businesses in New York City to gift products where the proceeds would help fund initial loans to women entrepreneurs across Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and Oceania. Since joining the National High School National Microfinance Coalition as a freshman, Sloane has deepened her engagement at the national level. Through media, communications, and mentorship, Sloane has been able to grow the NHSMC and inspire others around the United States to pursue microfinance. Sloane has authored numerous articles about microfinance for various business publications at Horace Mann and founded a Social Impact Investing club at her school where she teaches those in her community how to invest in loans. Additionally, she is the president of her school’s Women in Business Club and a managing editor of her school's main business publication– BusinessMann. Outside of microfinance, Sloane is deeply passionate about educating others and is the president of the Saturday Morning Tutoring Program where she runs a free tutoring program for underprivileged students around New York.
Ellie Rosenwald
Vice President
Ellie Rosenwald is a Senior at Gulliver Preparatory in Miami, Florida. She first learned about microfinance when researching different integrations of business with social change, as she has always had a passion for both. Becoming more interested, Ellie founded Impact Microfinance Global, a member club under the NHSMC. As a member of the student board, Ellie is excited to grow the impact of microfinance, as well as teach others of its importance. She will serve as the liaison between the Student Board and NHSMC members. Apart from her involvement with microfinance and the NHSMC, Ellie is a c-suite officer of the Business Club, on her school’s Wharton Investment Competition team, is the founder and president of the Songwriting Club, and a devoted dancer. Ellie is passionate about leadership, the arts, economics, and finance, and will utilize her skills in these areas to contribute to the NHSMC's mission and initiatives.
Om Dagadgunde
Director of Operations and Media
Om Dagadgunde is a junior at the Academy for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering in Rockaway, New Jersey. He is incredibly passionate about how STEM, and the world of business, and finance can overlap to create a brighter future. Furthermore, he became interested in the world of microfinance in early sophomore year, and joined NHSMC as an intern to develop an informal loan calculator that utilizes machine learning models. Om also serves as the co-president of his school’s economics club, which helps high schoolers navigate the complex world of economics. Overall, he aims to use his skills to ensure smooth, and stable operations for NHSMC while maintaining NHSMC’s social media accounts, and outreach. Looking forward to a great year as director of operations and media!
Jack Cohen & Alex Black
Heads of Internship Program
Jack Cohen is a junior at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx, New York. It is his second year with the NHSMC. He is deeply interested in business and exploring how micro finance creates real, measurable impact by helping people lift themselves out of poverty through entrepreneurship. Further, Jack serves as a member of Zawadi by Youth, a microfinance club at Riverdale Country School that provides loans to female entrepreneurs. He is thrilled to serve as the leader of the internship program this year to apply his knowledge and expand his expertise.
Alex Black is a Junior at Riverdale Country School, located in the Bronx, New York. He was first exposed to microfinance through the club Zawadi by Youth at his school, which emphasizes student-led discussions around global economics, financial empowerment, and counteracting the structural challenges of poverty. Once a member of this club, he continued to further develop his understanding of microfinance as an Intern of NHSMC, working in the Marketing and Social Media Cohort. The user focused, educational assignments he completed gave him a practical understanding of how small loans can drive outsized impact—especially when paired with community trust and long-term support. This past summer, he studied lean startup models in a Global Entrepreneurship program in Dublin and interned at ENSAF Capital, a workforce housing investment firm, where he evaluated multifamily deals and joined property management strategy calls. All his experiences, collectively, shape his belief in finance as a tool for innovation, equity, and long-term impact.