It is with profound sadness that UNCDF has learned of the untimely passing of our beloved friend and colleague, Mr. Reuben Summerlin.

Reuben was an extraordinary man who represented for many of us the ideals of passion, commitment, professionalism and honesty.

Everyone who has had the great good fortune to meet Reuben has known him for his great intelligence and professionalism, gentleness, and charm.

He ran one of UNCDF’s most successful programmes – the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) – and did so with extraordinary dedication and commitment to the poor and financially excluded in the Pacific region. His exemplary leadership of that programme has made a huge difference in the lives of many thousands of people.

Reuben’s words and deeds will continue to inspire those who wish to advance the global financial inclusion agenda That too will be the enduring legacy of this great man who dedicated his life to the cause of a better life for others. At UNCDF, we count ourselves fortunate to have been privileged to work with Reuben and to have heard personally his vision for improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of people through financial inclusion, especially digital finance.

Reuben will be dearly missed, the Financial Inclusion sector has lost a leader. May he rest in peace.