Vanessa Holcomb Mann is the acting Vice President of the Office of Catalytic Investments at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The Office of Catalytic Investments is a new office that underlines DFC’s institutional commitment to take additional, strategic risk in pursuit of deep and transformative impact. In this role, she oversees a portfolio of innovative and catalytic investments that draw upon DFC’s full toolkit to provide flexible, risk-tolerant capital to close challenging capital gaps in areas such as climate, financial inclusion, health, and agriculture.
An experienced global development and finance professional, Ms. Holcomb Mann has led design and worked to implement several flagship U.S. government initiatives that aim to mobilize private capital and drive impact. Previously, she co-led the design and establishment of USAID’s INVEST Initiative — USAID’s flagship blended finance initiative and subsequently served as Senior Investment Advisor. Ms. Holcomb Mann also worked on the design, launch and implementation of the U.S. Presidential Initiative, Power Africa. At the U.S. Department of State, she served as a Foreign Affairs Officer within the Office of Commercial and Business Affairs. In addition to her work in the public sector, Ms. Holcomb Mann worked in private equity as well as at a multi-family office where she supported the management of the firm’s three funds.
Ms. Holcomb Mann holds a B.A. in International Politics and Economics from Middlebury College in Vermont and a Master of Public Policy from Duke University.