Monica Brand Engel is an entrepreneur and investor, dedicating her career to broadening financial inclusion. Monica is co-founder and Managing Partner at Quona Capital, a venture and growth equity firm focused on inclusive fintech in emerging markets. Monica began her career in Silicon Valley, where she helped launch a $50 million multi-bank lending intermediary to finance small businesses. She also worked at Calvert Ventures and Anthuri Ventures– early-stage equity vehicles based in Bethesda and Cape Town, respectively– before joining Accion to lead a global product innovation group. While at Accion, Monica worked in Mexico with Gentera (née Compartamos) Bank, the largest microfinance institution in Latin America– which went public in 2007 (NSDQ: GENTERA:MM). Using the IPO proceeds, Monica founded Accion’s Frontier Investments Group, the predecessor to Quona Capital. At Quona, she leads Africa, MENA and Global investment strategy, as well as Investor Relations. She has authored multiple books, including one during Covid on Women in Leadership. Monica is half-Peruvian and blessed with a fantastic husband and twins.

Investor Profile

Based In: United States

Board Positions: Verto, Khazna, Maxsoko, Twinco, GPCA Impact Council

Investor Type: VC Firm

Preferred Sector(s): Fintech, Agentic AI, Payments, Embedded Finance

Preferred Stage(s): Early-Stage, Growth

Preferred Geo(s): Global

Website: https://quona.com/portfolio/

LAVCA Honors

Top Women Investors in Latin America 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025