Vikram Akula is at the forefront of creating market-based solutions for financial inclusion. Before becoming Chairperson of Vaya Finserv Private Limited, Vikram began working in rural development as a grassroots social worker in India. Prior to his position, Vikram founded Bharat Financial Inclusion and worked at McKinsey & Company and the Worldwatch Institute. Vikram was named TIME magazine one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is a recognized Echoing Green Fellow. Vikram published several books including “Micro-Meltdown: The Inside Story of the Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of the World's Most Valuable Microlender" and "A Fistful of Rice: My Unexpected Quest to End Poverty Through Profitability." He is a graduate of Tufts University, Yale University and University of Chicago.