Mia Mabanta

Mia Mabanta is the Head of Programs and Talent at YC Continuity, the growth-stage fund of Y Combinator, where she has been in this role since April 2018. In her position, she focuses on working with the top 1% of Y Combinator startups, which include well-known companies like Stripe, Coinbase, and DoorDash.13

Professional Background

Mia has a diverse professional history. Before joining Y Combinator, she was the Head of Brand and Product Marketing at Quartz, where she played a crucial role in scaling the company significantly in terms of revenue and workforce. Her efforts included leading market validation and product storytelling, which contributed to Quartz's growth during her tenure.12

Additionally, Mia co-founded HelloWallet, a fintech startup that was acquired by Morningstar, which stemmed from her research at the Brookings Institution. Her early career involved working as a research analyst at Brookings, where she contributed to initiatives focused on underserved consumer markets.12

Education

Mia holds an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor's degree from Colgate University.12

Personal Insights

Mia has shared insights about her career journey, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability. She immigrated to the U.S. at 17 and has since developed a strong ability to navigate challenges, which she attributes to her early experiences.2