ABOUT THE WEIDEMANN FOUNDATION

The Weidemann Foundation

The Weidemann Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization established in 1998.  Donations are fully tax deductible.

To maximize impact, the Weidemann Foundation identifies and collaborates with organizations conducting exceptional and potentially self-sustaining projects in microlending and community development.

The Weidemann Foundation also offers a truly unique service to donors who wish to optimize their contributions, perhaps in a region or in an area of special interest to them.  Because of her extensive experience and networks, Dr. C. Jean Weidemann works one-on-one with donors and personally identifies opportunities to maximize donor investments in targeted areas.  For example, a recent donor specified that his contribution should benefit microlending, solar cooking and safe water projects for women.  Dr. Weidemann consulted closely with the donor and identified the best possible interventions and organizations for his investment. 

Dr. C. Jean Weidemann, President

When she was five years old, Jean Weidemann tapped her mother on the shoulder from the back seat of the family car and announced that she was going to work in Africa.  By the time she was 30, Jean completed her doctorate and was spearheading a United Nations project in Nigeria, one of the first field programs to address gender inequality.  As one of the youngest project leaders in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, she spent four years in Africa providing Nigerian women farmers, who produced the bulk of the food supply, with access to productive resources.  Dr. C. Jean Weidemann went on to found Weidemann Associates, a successful international socio-economic consulting firm in 1986 and served as president until 2000.  In April 1998, she co-founded the Weidemann Foundation with Wesley Weidemann. Ms. Weidemann has served as President of the Foundation since its inception.

Dr. Weidemann has 35 years of experience in more than 30 countries on five continents.  Much of that time was spent sitting on logs in the jungle listening to what women needed; holding “town meetings” with villagers; and visiting microlending groups and micro businesses all over  the world.  She then took this information back to the policymakers and program planners and worked with them to create viable and sustainable programs.  Many of these programs are still in place today.

Ms. Weidemann has held consultant/staff positions with prestigious organizations including the United Nations, U.S. Congress, the U.S. State Department/USAID, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Ford Foundation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, International Statistical Institute, National Academy of Sciences/National Science Foundation, Finnish International Development Agency, and numerous universities, private firms and foreign governments.  She began her work in microlending 22 years ago, when microlending was in its fledgling stages.  She is known worldwide as a microlending specialist and is the author of more than 40 books/publications including the United Nations Development Programme guidebook, Supporting Women’s Livelihoods: Microfinance that Works for the Majority.

Dr. Weidemann has extensive experience in public speaking, television and radio regarding international women’s issues.  She has been a leader in organizing women worldwide.  She helped found two global women’s organizations with 30,000 members.  For the 5000 member Association for Women in Development (AWID) she was a founder, Board member and President.  In 1998, she helped found the 25,000 member advocacy group, Women Thrive Worldwide (formerly known as Women’s EDGE Coalition) for gender and trade issues. Additional details of her biography appear in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Who’s Who of American Women, Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America, and other sources.  Currently, she resides in Santa Barbara, CA where she serves on the Boards of Women’s Economic Ventures; Women’s Political Committee; Community Counseling and Education Center; and the Board of Visitors of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Human Ecology.  She is a Founding Member of the Santa Barbara National Association of Women Business Owners.