Janine
Firpo - Chair Sevak Solutions and former Director
Hewlett-Packard
Janine Firpo tackles development problems through a combination
of breakthrough thinking, business principles and technology innovation.
She is dedicated to finding appropriate solutions that will result
in both social and business value. Janine is currently the chair
of Sevak Solutions and founder of SEMBA Consulting.
Her current work is a direct outgrowth of the leadership position
she held for five years as Director of Global Multisector Initiatives
at Hewlett-Packard Company. There she was responsible for leading
a consortium that developed and pilot tested a Remote Transaction
System for extending the reach of financial services to the world’s
poor. Sevak Solutions was formed to advance the work Janine started
at Hewlett-Packard.
Prior to joining Hewlett-Packard, Janine worked as a consultant
focused on successfully integrating information technology into
emerging markets. Through her business, SEMBA Consulting, she developed
strategies and implemented systems that brought information and
communications technologies to schools, governments, and businesses
in developing countries. Her client list included the World Bank,
USAID, and Schools Online.
Janine brings over 24 years experience in technology, international
development, and consortium building to her efforts. As the Director
of New Media for Random House Publishing, she was involved in targeting
early stage Internet companies for partnerships, investments and
acquisition. She was also involved in the early days of CD-ROM development
as both Vice President of Product Development at A.D.A.M. Software
and as Higher Education Evangelist for Apple Computer. She began
her career as an assembly language programmer before the days of
the personal computer.
Janine holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology and Computer
Science. She also serves on the Board of the Jhai Foundation, a
non-profit building appropriate technology for Laotian villages. |
