Maria DeSousa

Maria DeSousa has over 20 years of experience in the finance and software development industries. Maria began their career in 1999 as a Software Development Director at Eze Castle Software. In 2007, they were recruited as the third employee at Code Red, Inc. as the VP of Finance, where they managed all aspects of finance, accounting, tax preparation/reporting, HR, operations and several key initiatives. In 2015, Maria joined Eze Castle Integration as the Chief Financial Officer, where they were a key member of the executive team, driving discipline, organization and excellence in all areas of accounting, finance, contracting and HR. Maria also headed the M&A activities of the company. Later that same year, Maria joined FactSet as the Finance Director, M&A, where they prepared extensive due diligence materials, financial models with various financing scenarios and valuation methods. In 2019, Maria became the Chief Financial Officer at UFA, Inc. and, as of 2022, they are the Director of Finance at Sivo (YC W21).

Maria DeSousa's education history includes a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Computer Engineering from Universidad Simón Bolívar, which they obtained between 1991 and 1997. Maria then went on to earn an MBA in Accounting, Finance and Entrepreneurship from Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business between 2005 and 2007. Most recently, they are currently pursuing an MS in Accounting from Isenberg School of Management, UMass Amherst, which they began in 2020. Maria also holds four certifications, including Modeling Courageous Leadership: Intelligent Disobedience from LinkedIn (obtained in April 2019), Driving Profitable Growth program from Harvard Business School Executive Education (obtained in November 2018), Competing on Business Analytics and Big Data program from Harvard Business School Executive Education (obtained in May 2018) and Design Thinking: Venture Design from LinkedIn (obtained in November 2017).