Key skills and expertise

With over 37 years of experience, the expert specializes in integrated socioenvironmental planning and management of coastal-marine ecosystems. Key skills include ocean governance, MPA design, climate mitigation, and adaptation resilience-building. The expert has led and evaluated numerous international projects, developed M&E tools, and contributed to policy integration. Accomplishments include designing over 1000 MPAs and leading more than 15 ESIAs. Previously held roles such as Managing Director and Team Leader demonstrate expertise in capacity building, project implementation, and strategic planning across Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

Project experience and donor exposure

Bringing extensive experience with international donors, the expert has collaborated with organizations such as the EU, UNEP, World Bank, IADB, Danida, Nordic Development Fund, and GEF. Involvement includes project implementation, technical assistance, evaluations, and capacity building in areas like ecosystem-based management, climate adaptation, and marine biodiversity. The expert's work spans regional and national projects across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, focusing on sustainable fisheries, coastal-marine ecosystem management, and policy guidance for emerging Blue Economies.

Sectors and geographic focus

The expert has worked across key sectors including environment and natural resource management, poverty reduction, human rights, tourism, pollution and waste management, and fisheries and aquaculture. Responsibilities have included roles such as team leader, lead evaluator, and managing director. The expert possesses interdisciplinary knowledge, integrating climate adaptation and mitigation into coastal-marine ecosystem management and sustainable development. The geographic scope of work spans Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, focusing on regional and country-specific projects that address ecosystem resilience, sustainable fisheries, and policy guidance for emerging Blue Economies. The expert has extensive geographic experience in Latin America and the Caribbean, including countries such as Nicaragua, Honduras, Ecuador, and Guyana. In Africa, work has been conducted in Mozambique, Cape Verde, and Madagascar. In Asia-Pacific, the expert's experience includes Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia. The expert is particularly familiar with regional development issues and local governance in these areas, having led long-term projects focused on coastal-marine ecosystem management, sustainable fisheries, and climate adaptation. This extensive international experience underscores the ability to navigate diverse cultural dynamics and contribute to regional development initiatives.

Languages and education

With a background in multilingual environments, the expert is a native English speaker and possesses second native language proficiency in Spanish. Additionally, the expert has excellent reading and good speaking skills in Portuguese. These language competencies have been utilized in international projects across Latin America and Portuguese-speaking countries, facilitating collaboration in multilingual teams and contributing to effective communication in diverse cultural and linguistic environments. The expert holds an MSc in Marine Ecology and a BSc in Biology-Chemistry from Florida State University, USA. Additionally, an Associate of Science degree in Geography-Biological Sciences was obtained from Tulsa College, USA.