Maelis Carraro 2021 Speaker

Director

Catalyst Fund (managed by BFA)

Biography

Maelis Carraro is the Director of Catalyst Fund and the Impact Ventures Practice at BFA. She has over 10 years of experience working alongside fintech startups, development finance institutions, microfinance banks and impact investors to pioneer tech and data-enabled solutions that benefit underserved communities in emerging markets. At BFA, she runs Catalyst Fund, a global accelerator for early-stage inclusive fintech ventures in emerging markets, supported by JP Morgan Chase & Co and the UK Department for International Development, and helps startups across Latin America, Africa and Asia create innovative, affordable and relevant financial solutions for underserved populations.

Previously, she worked at the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group), advising financial institutions on digital innovation and responsible financial inclusion strategies globally, as well as the OECD, the Grameen Bank, and impact investor-Global Partnerships on impact investing strategies to support micro-businesses in Africa. Maelis also co-founded RemitMas, a savings-focused digital remittances startup for Latino immigrants in the US.

Maelis is a Fulbright Scholar and holds a dual MBA and Master in International Affairs from Columbia Business School and the School of International and Public Affairs. She received her B.A Cum Laude from University College London in Political Science and Economics.