Martha Alter Chen

Martha Alter Chen (Marty Chen), a renowned development scholar, led WIEGO from its inception in 1997 until 2017, transforming it into a leading organization focused on the informal economy. Her expertise spans employment, gender and poverty, with a focus on the working poor. Marty is a sought-after adviser for institutions like the European Commission, the International Labour Organization, the World Bank and the United Nations.

Marty served as WIEGO’s International Coordinator for two decades and is an Associate at Harvard University’s Mittal South Asia Institute. Before joining Harvard, she worked for two decades in South Asia, notably with BRAC in Bangladesh and as Oxfam America’s field representative in India. Marty holds a PhD in South Asia Regional Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.

She received the Padma Shri from the Government of India in 2011 and the Friends of Bangladesh Liberation War award in 2012. Marty’s work was highlighted by Connecticut College, where she was awarded the Connecticut College Medal.