Aparna Rao, Country Manager

Aparna completed her MSc Economics and BSc Economics degrees from SOAS, University of London. Her interests lie in the economic development of emerging economies. 

Between the two degrees, Aparna worked for over two and a half years as an Analyst in Unitus Capital, an impact investment bank, based in India. During her time with Unitus, she worked on transactions in the microfinance, fintech and affordable housing sectors. 

After Unitus, over the summer of 2018, she was hired as a Research Consultant with Menterra Ventures, an impact investing firm in India, where she researched and produced a report on ‘Agriculture in India’, which was later published by the Impact Investors Council. 

Aparna has been an International Economist with Mekong Economist since 2019 and has worked on various projects across sectors in South East Asia. As of 2023, she is the Country Manager of MKE's Myanmar office. During her time at MKE, Aparna has successfully led and worked on impact assessments, policy and governance research, monitoring and evaluation projects for over three years, with a specialised focus on women's economic empowerment, climate change and sustainable agriculture.