Marcela Ponce Assumes World Bank Group Representation in Costa Rica Under a New Unified Leadership Model

SAN JOSÉ, July 1st 2026 – Marcela Ponce has assumed, as of July 1, the role of World Bank Group (WBG) Representative in Costa Rica, a position that unifies the institution’s leadership in the country while supporting the priorities of both the public and private sectors. Ponce leads the delegation representing the institution’s main entities: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Development Association (IDA). In addition, she coordinates the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). “Costa Rica has tremendous potential to create more quality jobs and economic opportunities for its people. It is an honor to continue the World Bank Group’s long-standing partnership with the country and to work alongside the government and the private sector to accelerate investments that generate jobs and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy,” said Ponce. The WBG Country Partnership Framework with Costa Rica will continue to serve as the roadmap guiding the institution’s engagement with the country. The World Bank’s active portfolio in Costa Rica totals approximately US$1.5 billion across seven operations covering areas such as fiscal management, climate resilience, social inclusion, education, and sustainable agriculture. IFC, meanwhile, has commitments of approximately US$500 million in various sectors, including finance, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. A Colombian national, her career has taken her from Europe to LAC, where she led the Advisory and Upstream Services in Sustainable Finance at IFC’s Financial Institutions Group. She also directed IFC’s Climate Finance program, where she supported financial institutions in transforming their strategies and business models to align with environmental responsibility criteria; collaborated with governments on developing green regulatory frameworks; and contributed to the planning of efficient, low-environmental-impact real estate developments. Throughout her career, she has built bridges between the public and private sectors to advance economic development agendas. Her educational background includes an MBA and a Master’s in Leadership for Sustainability from the University of Cambridge, among other qualifications that equip her with the technical expertise and strategic vision required for her new role. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter. More information about World Bank's work in Costa Rica. Visit us on Facebook. Be updated via Twitter. Watch our YouTube channel.