Maria Finnerty is a political economist with a first-class master’s degree in development economics from the University of Cambridge. As CAFOD’s Lead Economist, she leads on economic policy with a focus on global debt reform, climate finance, and economic inequality, championing solutions that prioritize human dignity and sustainable development for vulnerable communities worldwide.
Maria has previously worked as chief speechwriter and executive adviser to the CEO of Plan International, one of the world's largest INGOs, and as Head of Policy and Advocacy for the UK branch of the Tax Justice Network. She began her career in Parliament advising a member of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee. In 2016, she worked on the Remain campaign during the EU referendum and Hillary Clinton Presidential campaign in the US.
Maria is passionate about creating a just world in which resources are more equally and sustainably distributed.