Madame Maria Leonore Helena Mercado Marcos
Treasurer & Asset-Backed Treasury Partner
CIRAS Directorate of Administration and Finance – DAF
Madame Maria Leonore Helena Mercado Marcos serves as Treasurer of the Council for Interdisciplinary Research and Applied Science (CIRAS), where she contributes to the financial architecture and asset-aligned structuring of large-scale international initiatives.
She brings experience in cross-border business development, corporate representation, and trade-related activities, with exposure to international corporate environments, including UK-registered entities. Within CIRAS, she operates as an asset-backed treasury partner, supporting the development of structured, compliant financial frameworks designed to meet institutional standards.
Her role is focused on enabling CIRAS to engage with multilateral organizations, central banks, sovereign funds, and global financial institutions through credible, well-governed financial strategies.
Institutional Role & Responsibilities
As Treasurer of CIRAS, Maria Marcos is responsible for:
- Treasury Governance & Financial Integrity
Supporting oversight of treasury functions in alignment with international financial governance standards - Asset-Backed Financial Structuring
Contributing to the design of asset-supported financing mechanisms for infrastructure, energy, and humanitarian programs - Institutional Funding Coordination
Assisting in the preparation and alignment of funding frameworks suitable for engagement with entities such as the World Bank, European Central Bank (ECB), and other multilateral institutions - Executive-Level Negotiation Support
Participating as part of the unified CIRAS leadership team in high-level international discussions and negotiations - Compliance & Due Diligence Alignment
Ensuring that all asset-related engagements adhere to global compliance requirements, including KYC, AML, and regulatory standards
Asset-Backed Positioning
In her capacity as Asset-Backed Treasury Partner, Maria Marcos contributes to CIRAS through access to potential asset-linked financial structures, intended to support:
- Sovereign-scale infrastructure development
- Energy transition and sustainability projects
- Humanitarian and reconstruction financing programs
- Advanced research and technology deployment initiatives
All asset-related frameworks are positioned subject to independent verification, including:
- Legal validation of ownership and transferability
- Custodial confirmation and safekeeping arrangements
- Third-party valuation and audit processes
- Full compliance with international financial regulations
Strategic Role within CIRAS Leadership
Maria Marcos operates within a coordinated executive structure, working closely together with:
- General Secretary (interim)
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Finance & Budget Officer
Professional Attributes
- Strong orientation toward structured, compliant financial frameworks
- Experience in international business and corporate environments
- High level of discretion in sensitive financial matters
- Ability to contribute within multilateral and cross-border contexts
- Commitment to transparency, governance, and institutional standards
Personal Statement
“Deuteronomy 8:18 – But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
This principle reflects her perspective on stewardship, responsibility, and the ethical foundation of wealth creation and financial management.
Institutional Positioning Statement
Madame Maria Leonore Helena Mercado Marcos contributes to CIRAS as a treasury executive focused on enabling asset-aligned financing solutions, supporting the organization’s mission to deliver interdisciplinary, scalable, and globally compliant projects in collaboration with leading international institutions.
