Maria has over 20 years of senior-level experience in business strategy and implementation, management consulting and investment. Prior to FIRST, Maria was the Chief Strategy Officer at Avina Foundation where she spearheaded the Inclusive Markets practice throughout Latin America focusing on impact investing and was the Founder and CEO of WTT, Inc., a for-profit investment company that invested in impact investment funds.

Marcus is a Founding Partner at FIR Capital, a Brazilian Venture Capital firm and Advisory Board Member of the Brazilian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (ABVCAP), having been its President from 2006-2008. Mr. Regueira has extensive experience in M&A advisory and asset management as a former Director and Vice President of investment banking at Bank of America and First Chicago in New York.