Mariana is Senior Advocacy Manager for the GSMA Connected Women Programme. In this capacity, she develops evidence-based research and policy positions related to the advancement of women’s digital and financial inclusion. She also leads the GSMA’s engagement with key partners, such as the Alliance for Financial Inclusion, the World Bank Group, and various UN agencies. Prior to joining the GSMA she worked in financial consulting and as a researcher on the root causes of gender-based violence in conflict situations.

Mariana holds a Masters in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Oxford and a PhD in Development Policy and Management from the University of Manchester. She has also spent time studying in Harvard, Stanford, George Washington University and LSE.