Sharon Buteau is the Executive Director of LEAD at Krea University and brings over 18 years of experience in research and international development, including more than seven years in digital financial services and financial inclusion. Her work focuses on identifying effective solutions to promote enterprise growth and development and unlock the potential of micro and small businesses.
At LEAD, Sharon focuses on bringing together the right combination of talent, expertise and stakeholders to ensure that investments and efforts are aligned with desired development outcomes. She has significant expertise in co-creation and collaborative processes, as well as in using data from the ground up to improve socio-economic outcomes for individuals, households and enterprises.
Her areas of expertise include right-fit research methods, financial capabilities and well-being, small business development and entrepreneurship. Sharon began her journey at LEAD in 2008, when she arrived in India with a strong desire to produce impactful knowledge that could contribute to positive social change.
Prior to joining LEAD, Sharon was an economist with Analysis Group in Montreal, Canada. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the Universite du Quebec a Montreal and a Master’s degree in Social Research Methods from the London School of Economics.