Author Bio
Marisela Alvarenga
Marisela Alvarenga is a global financial leader with over two decades of experience spanning private banking, capital markets, and multilateral development institutions. Recognized for her strategic vision and execution, she has built a distinguished career driving sustainable finance, financial innovation, and growth across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
Currently serving as Managing Director and Chief of the Financial Sector Division at IDB Invest—the private sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group—Marisela shapes the institution’s strategic engagement with banks, fintechs, insurers, cooperatives and other financial actors across LAC. She plays a key role in positioning the financial sector as a catalyst for development, championing innovative financing structures and market-building initiatives that mobilize private capital at scale. Her leadership has helped mainstream green, social, and sustainable finance across the region, with a strong emphasis on deepening financial health, supporting women-led businesses, and advancing climate-resilient investments.
Prior to joining the IDB Group, Marisela held senior leadership roles in corporate and investment banking at Citibank and Banco Cuscatlán, including Regional Director for Corporate Finance in Central America. In these roles, she led cross-border transactions and built regional platforms that strengthened access to finance for corporates and institutional clients.
Marisela holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from the School of Economics and Business, and an MBA from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, complemented by executive studies at the Otto Beisheim School of Management (WHU) in Germany. She has also completed specialized programs in Impact Investing and Sustainable Finance from leading institutions in the United Kingdom.
Fluent in the language of both markets and mission, Marisela is a sought-after voice on the intersection of finance, sustainability, and innovation. She is passionate about scaling solutions that advance financial health, climate resilience, and inclusive development in emerging markets.
Posts by Marisela Alvarenga
Regulators & Companies Reshaping Sustainability: Which Comes First, the Chicken or the Egg?
Some companies are still expecting that regulators come up with sustainability guidelines, but others are moving fast, making a valuable contribution to a cleaner future, and reaping the benefits: new business opportunities, more stakeholder engagement and contributions to their country commitments.
The Banking Sector's Strategic Role in the Green Transition
Financial institutions have a critical role to play in the process of decarbonizing economies. Without their help, it will be impossible to finance the estimated $1.5 trillion (equivalent to 5% of the global GDP) needed to transition towards a green economy.
Financial Inclusion in the Pandemic: the Way Forward for Banks & Fintechs
It's clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has driven society to become more digital, to increase the use of electronic devices and to do almost everything online. What can we expect from traditional banking models and Fintech companies in 2021?
Financing for Women Entrepreneurs, Key for Economic Recovery
Support for the sizeable number of women entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean must include a gender perspective to achieve economic recovery. This implies either specific funding or collateral programs to lower risks for financial institutions.