It is with a sense of great and profound sadness that AFI today learned of the death of our friend and colleague, Reuben Summerlin. His passing is a terrible and unexpected loss.

Reuben was an important and charismatic advocate of financial inclusion, particularly in the Pacific Islands region. In his capacity as the Regional Technical Advisor for UNCDF and Manager of the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme Team, he played an instrumental role in the launch of AFI’s Pacific Islands Regional Initiative (PIRI) in May 2015 in Timor-Leste. Based in Suva, Fiji since 2012, Reuben was also a member of the National Financial Inclusion Task Forces of Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

“Today, the financial inclusion world has lost an important voice. He was a great friend to a lot of us here in the AFI Network, and one who worked relentlessly on behalf of the people of the Pacific Islands,” said Eliki Boletawa, Head of Policy Programs and Regional Initiatives at AFI. “Reuben was an outgoing, warm and thoughtful person who touched the lives of many. He was truly one of a kind.”

Reuben will forever be remembered for his passion and advocacy for the poor and his work on the global financial inclusion agenda. He will be greatly missed.