CASE Scholar
Brenda Montecinos Villa is a first-generation college graduate and proud Mexican immigrant whose lived experience fuels her commitment to economic justice. Growing up navigating systemic economic barriers, she became determined to expand access to capital for communities historically excluded from the financial system.
Brenda earned her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University. Most recently, she served as a Lending Manager at a CDFI focused on providing access to capital and technical assistance to refugee entrepreneurs. There, she introduced trauma-informed business coaching and developed an alternative credit risk model to support clients without traditional credit histories, particularly women and newcomers. Her work centered on building more equitable and culturally responsive lending practices to increase wealth in underserved communities, not just financially, but also through cultural preservation, mental wellbeing, and stronger community ties.
As a CASE Impact Fellow, she aims to transition into impact investing and eventually lead a portfolio supporting social entrepreneurs in Latin America, scaling inclusive solutions that expand who has access to capital and opportunity.
She is also a proud MLT, Forté, and Toigo Fellow, committed to advancing diversity and equity in finance and business.