Quest Ventures appoints Head of Environmental, Social & Governance

• Will play a key role in advancing Quest’s mission and sustainability efforts
• Brings over a decade of social innovation and sustainable development experience

Emerging markets' leading venture capital firm, Quest Ventures, has announced the appointment of April Ong Vaño (pic) as its Head of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG). In this role, Ong Vaño will play a pivotal part in advancing the firm's mission and sustainability initiatives across key markets.

According to the firm, Ong Vaño brings a wealth of experience to this role, having served ten years in social innovation and sustainable development across government, non-profit, and private sector projects. 

With a decade of experience in social innovation and sustainable development across various sectors, she aims to leverage her expertise in venture financing and local markets to spearhead strategic initiatives. Ong Vaño will be based in Cebu, The Philippines, and her mission includes driving practical outcomes in local communities, particularly in areas like microfinance for agriculture and accessible clean water and energy solutions for a decarbonized planet.

"I intend to drive practical outcomes in local communities, including microfinance for agriculture and accessible solutions for clean water and energy, all of which are crucial for a decarbonized planet," stated Ong Vaño. 

"I firmly believe that venture capital plays a pivotal role in sustainable innovations and technology. I look forward to supporting transformative startups in scaling their impact," she added.

Quest Ventures is among the first venture capital firms in Asia to sign the Principles of Responsible Investment, an investor initiative in collaboration with UNEP Finance Initiative and UN Global Compact. The firm's combination of capital and technology contributes to uplifting communities in emerging economies across Southeast Asia and Central Asia, earning it accolades such as VC of the Year in 2022.

James Tan, managing partner, expressed the company's delight in having Ong Vaño lead their ESG efforts, emphasizing her wealth of experience derived from years of addressing real-life issues impacting social impact entrepreneurs and individuals at the base of the pyramid.