Maria-Elena has over 15 years of financial and private sector experience, plus more than 10 years of experience evaluating WBG development results, writing reviews, assessing programs, mapping client needs, WBG strategies, objectives, design and implementation. She led the recent evaluation Managing Urban Spatial Growth World Bank Support to Land Administration, Planning, and Development. Other thematic evaluation work includes co-authoring the Health Services Evaluation, which analyzes the roles and contributions of the World Bank and IFC in supporting health services in client countries. Maria-Elena has also authored the Housing Finance Learning Review, which draws lessons from WBG experience in housing financing.

With her extensive experience in evaluation of public and private sector interventions she has made significant contributions to infrastructure, public-private partnerships, urban development, land use, health, affordable housing and slum upgrading.

Prior to joining the World Bank she was a lead financial analyst in the Investment Banking Division of Merrill Lynch Lima-Peru. While at IEG, She holds an MBA from American University and a BA from Pacifico's University, Peru.