James is a financial manager, micro-finance expert, and investor. He has been an integral part of Insaan since its creation.

In the course of his studies, primarily while living in Northeastern China, James became increasingly interested in the economic systems of developing economies as well as the role creative entrepreneurs play in their societies. 

Soon after obtaining his Master’s degree, he began work as an advisor to poverty alleviation programs in Western Africa. His first task was to improve the efficiency and long-term viability of a group of vocational training schools in Ghana. Later he worked on a range of agricultural improvement programs. 

Eventually, his background in finance and business led him to work in the burgeoning field of micro-finance, where he was focused on improving the organizational structure and financial stability of a local micro-finance program. 

James eventually moved to the former Soviet Central Asia. He played a key role in re-organizing a disparate group of non-profit micro-lending programs in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan into cohesive organizations. His initiatives in Tajikistan led to the creation of OXUS Tajikistan. James later worked in Afghanistan, where he was responsible for the initial startup phases of OXUS Afghanistan. He has been fortunate to work in various regions for a sufficient duration of time to see the real long-term impacts of a vast range of poverty alleviation and economic development initiatives.

James holds degrees in business administration and system sciences from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and a graduate degree in international business management from the University of South Carolina.