MCE Social Capital Names Elena Pons
as Chief Investment Officer
Returning to the nonprofit impact investment firm, Elena Pons brings more than 20 years of investing experience across diverse markets
By Staff
April 27, 2022 — MCE Social Capital (MCE) announced today that Elena Pons became the impact investing firm’s chief investment officer (CIO), effective April 25, 2022. Pons, who worked with MCE from 2013-2020, has extensive experience managing investment portfolios in financial services and sustainable agriculture in emerging markets.
“It’s exciting to return to MCE in an executive leadership role,” says Pons. “In many ways, this feels like coming home, but to an MCE that is even better equipped to support those organizations building opportunities and driving economic development in emerging markets. With our aims to invest in businesses that build climate resilience and invest in women, we’re poised to make a catalytic difference where it is needed most. MCE is also walking the talk: an all-woman C-suite in an investment firm is rare, and I’m proud to be joining this one.”
Pons has more than 20 years of experience in debt investments, including seven years with MCE managing impact portfolios in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. She started her career as a commercial banker in the U.S., and from there transitioned into independent consulting specializing in impact investing, microenterprises, and social entrepreneurship. In 2011, she joined boutique impact investing firm Sonen Capital where she assessed impact investment opportunities across all asset classes. Most recently, Elena was the Investment Manager at Oryx Impact, a firm that invests in the African continent.
“Elena’s career history and experience could not better position her to lead our investment team. Not only does she know MCE and understand our unique model, she also knows the environment in which our portfolio businesses and organizations operate,” said Camilla Nestor, MCE CEO. “Elena understands the challenges entrepreneurs, rural communities, and smallholder farmers in emerging markets face, and she’s invested in seeing these economies thrive.”
"As I step down from my role after 12 years with the company, I am thrilled to pass the baton to Elena" said Pierre Berard, outgoing CIO of MCE. "For seven years, Elena and I built MCE to what it is today and I could not be prouder to see her return to take it to the next level."
About MCE Social Capital
MCE Social Capital (MCE) is a nonprofit impact investing firm that provides flexible capital to enterprises committed to generating sustainable livelihoods in emerging markets –with a focus on women and the environment– to allow these enterprises to scale and better serve their customers, their employees, and their communities. Since 2006, MCE has disbursed over $250 million in debt capital to 141 institutions in 56 countries throughout the developing world.
For media inquires, please contact:
Christina Lukeman
Director of Business Development and Communications
MCE Social Capital
415-230-4330 x 109
clukeman@mcesocap.org