Monica Brand Engel

Co-founder and Managing Partner at Quona Capital

Moderator

Monica Brand Engel is a co-founder and Managing Partner at Quona Capital,a venture firm focused on fintech for inclusion in emerging markets. As an entrepreneur and investor, Monica has launched various funds and products aimed at broadening financial inclusion. At Quona, she leads investment strategies across Africa, MENA, and Cross-Border. Backed by leading institutional investors, Quona manages over $770 million of assets across a portfolio of funds backing pioneering founders who are leveraging financial technology to drive authentic impact.

Monica’s career began in Silicon Valley, where she helped launch a $50 million multi-bank lending intermediary to finance small businesses. She has also worked at Calvert Ventures and Anthuri Ventures, early-stage equity vehicles in Bethesda and Cape Town, respectively. While in South Africa, Monica founded Anthuri Catalysts to prepare early-stage companies for investment.

Recruited by Accion, Monica spearheaded a product innovation group and worked in Mexico with Gentera (née Compartamos) Bank, Latin America’s largest microfinance institution, which went public in 2007 (NSDQ: GENTERA:MM). Using the IPO proceeds, she founded Accion’s Frontier Investments Group, the predecessor to Quona Capital.

Monica holds an MBA and MA in Education from Stanford University and a BA in economics from Williams College. She serves on the boards of Khazna, Wasoko, Verto, and Twinco and is a founding member of the GPCA Impact Council. Her previous board positions include Yoco (pre IPO), Gentera (née Compartamos) Bank (IPO), Shubham Housing (sold to Premji Invest), Pay Rent Builds Credit (acquired by MicroBilt), Tiaxa (acquired by BeMobi), Azimo (acquired by Papaya), Zoona (acquired by Chipper Cash). She also chaired the Investor Representative Committee of LeapFrog I, the world’s first dedicated microinsurance fund.

Monica is half Peruvian and blessed with a fantastic husband and twins.