A native of Guinea, Aminatou attended the University of Conakry where she developed an interest in research into the quality of water, a major issue in Guinea that led her to study for a degree in Inorganic Chemistry. Her first job upon graduating was with a non-governmental organization that provided capacity building support and other services to rural women followed by a managerial position in a major freight and logistics company; Distribution International Merchandise (D.I.M s.a). In 1994, she won a World Bank scholarship to enter the Master’s Program in Economic Policy Management (EPM) at McGill University. After completing her studies at McGill, she worked for the United Nations and Women’s World Banking in New York before joining the State of New Jersey in 2002. She has been working here for the past twelve years in different capacities and most recently as an Instructor Counselor with mentally challenged patients. While she has enjoyed her recent assignment, her true passion has always been the empowerment of women through access to finance and other services. Aminatou has always believed that, given access to microfinance, women can break free from the cycle of poverty. She is very excited to embark on this significant role as a Kiva Fellow to pursue her passion helping the poor, particularly women, attain self-sufficiency.