IESC Announces David Rockefeller Spirit of Service Award Winner, Allyn Lamb
The David Rockefeller Spirit of Service Award recognizes outstanding and continuing contributions to IESC. Established in 1992, the award is named for IESC founder and American business leader David Rockefeller who, among other accomplishments, was Chairman and CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank. David Rockefeller founded IESC with the belief that businesses are the engines that drive economic growth and innovation, and that supporting them can lift countries and people out of poverty. Since 1964, IESC has catalyzed private sector growth and created economic opportunity for people and communities throughout the economically developing world. The Spirit of Service Award honors those who, through superior and sustained performance, dedication, and commitment, work to improve the lives of others. Allyn Lamb has been selected as the Rockefeller Spirit of Service Award winner for his numerous volunteer assignments with IESC’s Farmer-to-Farmer programs.
Mr. Lamb’s work with IESC started under the Farmer-to-Farmer Middle East and North Africa (MENA) program, where he completed four volunteer projects, two in Egypt and two in Lebanon, focused on developing lending programs and financial products in collaboration with microfinance institutions (MFIs) and banks for livestock producers and agricultural clients. He was also IESC’s first volunteer under our Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance program in Tanzania, where he worked with program leadership to design tools and methodologies that would guide the program throughout its lifespan. He also delivered agriculture financing and lending training to local banks and developed new lending tools aimed at expanding access to agricultural credit.
Through our most recent Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance program, Mr. Lamb worked with Akiba Commercial Bank in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to strengthen its agribusiness lending capacity, training staff in technical skills, developing an Agri-Flex Working Capital loan product tailored to micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises, establishing an agricultural value chain lending policy, and introducing financial products designed to encourage sustainable agricultural practices. With Mr. Lamb’s support and training, Akiba is in a better position to lend to the agriculture sector with products and procedures that support repayment. Now equipped with improved tools and a more skilled staff, the bank is well positioned to deepen its support for small agribusinesses, grow its client base, and strengthen its own long-term financial sustainability — a foundation that will continue generating impact long after the assignment has ended.
Mr. Lamb has been recognized as a Frank Pace Award winner twice and as a finalist three times, recognition that speaks to the consistent excellence he has brought to every volunteer assignment. More importantly, his contributions over the years have enabled agribusinesses and farmers to access financing previously out of reach, enabling them to expand their businesses, create jobs, and strengthen their communities.
Mr. Lamb’s record of service reflects a rare combination of technical expertise and genuine commitment to the people he serves. His contributions have left a lasting mark on the individuals, agribusinesses, financial institutions, and communities fortunate enough to benefit from his work. His years of service over the course of three IESC programs serve as a powerful example of what volunteerism can achieve.
