Liz Chacko

Background

About Liz Chacko

I am a partnerships and development finance strategist with 20+ years of cross-sector experience spanning international development, financial services, and impact-driven entrepreneurship. My development career has been anchored in building entrepreneurial ecosystems that cultivate and empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Africa and Asia, testing innovative models combining impact finance and business advisory services, and strengthening financial sector policies. With over 14 years dedicated to partnering with impact investors, financial intermediaries, donors, and national governments, I’ve led initiatives focused on access to finance for SMEs, capacity building, and financial sector development. Whether working to shape entrepreneurship development programs, design blended finance structures, or advise on sustainable business models, I bring a solutions-oriented mindset and a deep understanding of both systemic challenges and on-the-ground realities. Before entering the international development space, I spent several years at global financial institutions—including Drake Management, BNP Paribas, and JP Morgan Chase—serving institutional investors across the U.S, Europe, and Asia. These experiences equipped me with a strong analytical foundation and a nuanced understanding of capital markets, which I now channel into purpose-driven work.