Monica, hailing from Colombia, currently serves as the Global Program Manager for the UNDP-Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA). Under her leadership, AFCIA has facilitated 44 micro and small grants across 33 countries, empowering locally-led organizations to implement innovative solutions aimed at bolstering resilience in vulnerable communities. Operating within the Adaptation Innovation Marketplace (AIM), the program prioritizes civil society, non-governmental organizations, and forward-thinking individuals, particularly women and youth, in its efforts to advance adaptation initiatives at the grassroots level. AIM acts as a collaborative platform, consolidating resources, expertise, and technical support to streamline access to climate change adaptation finance.

Prior to her role at UNDP, Monica served as the Project Manager for the Caribbean Biological Corridor Initiative at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Panama. During her tenure at UNEP, she oversaw various areas including Sustainable Procurement, Eco-labelling, Eco-innovation, and Sustainable Value Chains, with a keen focus on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Monica has accumulated 15 years of experience in environmental projects, and earlier in her career, she contributed to the implementation of sustainable consumption and production projects with enterprises and local authorities in Colombia.

Monica holds a Master of Science degree in International Development and Management from Lund University, Sweden, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Sciences from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.