Fintech firm Monkey has appointed Rebeca Ouro Preto as its new Executive Director to spearhead its next growth phase. In her expanded role, she will focus on consolidating market leadership in Brazil while driving expansion into new industrial sectors. This strategic promotion underscores Monkey's ambition to scale its operations both domestically and internationally, leveraging her extensive financial expertise.
A Strategic Move for Market Expansion
Ouro Preto is tasked with deepening Monkey's presence in key industries such as agribusiness, pulp and paper, energy, and mining. Her responsibilities also include supporting the global team by identifying cross-selling opportunities and strengthening relationships with multinational corporations. This focus aims to solidify the company's position across diverse and high-value markets, driving substantial revenue growth.
The appointment aligns with Monkey's projection to surpass R$200 billion in cumulative transaction volume by the end of 2025. Her leadership will be crucial in scaling the company's four distinct financial solutions, which range from credit assignment to cash flow monitoring. This strategic direction is set to meet the evolving financial needs of its expanding corporate client base.
An Experienced Leader at the Helm
Rebeca Ouro Preto brings a wealth of experience from the global financial stage, having started her career at institutions like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs in New York. After earning her MBA from the Wharton School, she held senior positions as an Investor Relations Director and a Chief Financial Officer. Her background provides a strong foundation for navigating complex financial markets.
Reflecting on her tenure, Ouro Preto noted her journey began in 2020 with a 12-person startup amid the pandemic's challenges. She expressed pride in being part of Monkey's evolution into a consolidated scale-up, a transformation significantly fueled by successful Series A and B funding rounds. This growth has been central to expanding the company's operational capacity and market reach.
Global Ambitions and Sales Strategy
A key aspect of her new role involves globalizing the company's sales culture to support its international footprint. This includes aligning strategies with existing operations in Mexico and Chile while preparing for planned expansions into the United States and Europe. Her leadership is expected to create a cohesive and effective global sales force ready for new challenges.
To achieve this, Ouro Preto will structure the sales team around four strategic pillars: deep specialization by industry, the adoption of advanced technology, and comprehensive team training. A fourth pillar emphasizes retaining global talent and fostering diversity, ensuring the team is equipped for international success. This framework is designed to drive sustainable growth across different regions.
Championing Diversity in Fintech Leadership
This promotion also highlights Monkey's strong commitment to fostering diversity and gender equity within its leadership ranks. The company reports that women now occupy 46% of its leadership positions, a significant figure in the fintech industry. Ouro Preto's appointment reinforces this dedication to building an inclusive and representative executive team.
Monkey has progressively increased its hiring of women, with female hires rising from 55% in 2023 to 60% in 2024. This has led to a landmark achievement where women now constitute the majority of the company's total workforce, at 50.43%. These figures demonstrate a tangible commitment to workplace equality and representation at all levels.
Rebeca Ouro Preto's elevation to Executive Director marks a significant milestone for Monkey, blending seasoned financial expertise with ambitious expansion goals. Her leadership is poised to accelerate the fintech's growth, enhance its global presence, and champion its commitment to diversity. This strategic move positions Monkey for continued innovation and market leadership in the coming years.