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Pro Mujer Welcomes Maria Cavalcanti as its New President and CEO

11 enero, 2016

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Pro Mujer's new president and CEO, Maria Cavalcanti

 

2016 is off to a great start at Pro Mujer! Starting today, we welcome a new president and CEO into our family: Maria Cavalcanti, a highly skilled professional with deep experience in for-profits, philanthropy and the public sector in Latin America, the U.S., Western Europe and India. Maria succeeds interim CEO Mark McMahon, who took charge of the organization after former president and CEO Rosario Perez retired.

Maria brings over 25 years of professional experience to Pro Mujer. Most recently, she co-founded and was Managing Partner of FIRST Impact Investing in Brazil, where she built one of the most significant impact investment funds in Latin America, a first for a woman!

Maria is recognized as a leading speaker on financial inclusion and impact investing in Latin America. She has authored multiple trade and academic articles, and has served on international boards, including the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, PYME Capital Fund, and FUNDES.

“Maria has the perfect combination of private and public sector experience, great skills, and the heart to lead Pro Mujer into the next phase of its life,” says Pro Mujer’s Board Chair Gail Landis. “Most importantly, she is passionate about improving the lives of disadvantaged women across Latin America.”

Women’s equality is key to a healthy society and yet, Cavalcanti says, the reality for many women in Latin America is very different. “Women’s aspirations are too frequently stymied by poverty, abuse, and denial.”

As someone who has advanced women throughout her career, Cavalcanti envisions a world where both men and women are afforded the very same opportunities, respect and value, a vision that is very much in line with our mission at Pro Mujer.

Our organization looks forward to continuing to empower women in Latin America under Maria’s direction. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our new president and CEO!