Smita Aggarwal

Smita Aggarwal is the Director at the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), a position she has held since August 2023. In this role, she supports Queen Máxima's mission to enhance financial inclusion globally, aiming to unlock economic opportunities and improve lives through access to financial tools and services.14

Professional Background

Experience and Roles::

• Director, UNSGSA: Leading initiatives to promote financial inclusion, working closely with various stakeholders to advance economic opportunities for underserved populations.12
• Member of the Fintech Advisory Board: Engaged with NYU Stern's Fubon Center for Technology, Business and Innovation since August 2021, contributing her expertise in fintech.1
• Limited Partner at Rali Capital: Active from May 2021 to August 2023, focusing on investments in technology-driven ventures.1
• Global Investments Advisor at Flourish Ventures: From April 2019 to August 2023, she managed investments in several fintech companies across Asia, including Grab Financial Group and ShopUp.1

Previous Leadership Roles::

• Director of Investments at Omidyar Network: Led fintech investments in India from January 2016 to April 2019, contributing significantly to the venture capital landscape in the region.1
• Chief General Manager at CAFRAL (Reserve Bank of India): Worked on leadership programs and policy discussions related to financial services from March 2012 to December 2015.1

Educational Background

Smita Aggarwal is a qualified Chartered Accountant from India and has extensive training in financial management and investment strategies. Her academic background complements her practical experience in the finance sector.

Contributions and Impact

Aggarwal’s work emphasizes the importance of financial inclusion as a critical component of sustainable development. She actively engages with global leaders and stakeholders to promote policies that enhance access to financial services, particularly for marginalized groups.23 Through her role at UNSGSA, she aims to foster an environment where everyone can benefit from financial tools that enable them to invest in their futures and protect against economic hardships.

In summary, Smita Aggarwal's extensive experience in venture capital and her commitment to advancing inclusive finance position her as a key figure in promoting economic development through financial accessibility.