Mónica is the co-founder with her husband, Herb Allen, of Fundacion Colibri. Mónica grew up in Puerto Rico and has resided in New York City for nearly 30 years. She is president of the privately funded nonprofit established after Hurricane Maria in 2017 to support transformational change and long-term recovery in Puerto Rico.

Mónica previously practiced as a public interest attorney in the areas of family, immigration, and
public benefits law, most recently as Director of Legal Services Center at The Door, a New York City-based organization that provides services to at-risk adolescents. Prior to joining The Door, she was Director of the Public Interest Law Center at New York University School of Law and a Staff Attorney at Queens Legal Services.

Mónica continues to serve on the board of The Door as well as the Board of Trustees of Broome Street Academy, a New York City charter school that targets the needs of young people who are homeless or receiving foster care services by integrating academic and youth development services. She’s also a member of the governing board of Espacios Abiertos, an organization that promotes an open and more transparent democratic society in Puerto Rico.