My Trajectory

I began my journey as a biologist, fascinated by the connections between life on land and beneath the sea. Over time, that curiosity grew into a conviction: sustainability cannot be achieved by looking at ecosystems in isolation. It requires seeing the whole picture—people, livelihoods, markets, and the planet intertwined.

That conviction led me from Brazil to the Netherlands, where I earned a Master’s in Environmental Sciences at Wageningen University, and into a career dedicated to driving change across global food systems. Today, I work at the intersection of environment and development, managing projects that span Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. From shrimp clusters in Bangladesh and Indonesia to tilapia farms in Ghana and coastal fisheries in South Africa, I’ve learned that true progress comes when global frameworks meet local realities.

I describe myself as a T-shaped professional. I bring depth in aquaculture, fisheries, and natural resources management, but also a broad understanding of sustainability, trade, traceability, and social development. This combination allows me to bridge worlds—speaking the technical language of farmers and scientists, while also navigating boardrooms, policy dialogues, and market strategies. My focus is not only on improving farming practices, but on reshaping the systems around them: how supply chains function, how markets reward sustainability, and how communities benefit.

My philosophy is inspired by systemic thinkers. I believe that real transformation comes when we scale impact—through jurisdictional approaches, local Codes of Good Practice, or traceability systems that turn transparency into resilience. The projects I’ve led and contributed to are not just about certification or compliance; they are about building stronger, fairer, and more resilient industries.

Beyond project management, I am passionate about communication. I co-host the Gossip Gills podcast, where we break down complex topics in aquaculture and seafood. I write reflections on sustainability and market transformation, and I capture the stories of people and places through photography—whether in coastal villages, global conferences, or out at sea. For me, storytelling is not a side activity: it is a core part of how we inspire change and build collective action.

Ultimately, my mission is simple: to help design and manage initiatives that protect ecosystems, empower people, and transform markets towards sustainability. Whether through leading partnerships, managing multi-stakeholder projects, or amplifying voices that are too often left unheard, I want to shape the bigger picture. My career has been a progression from scientist, to connector, to systems leader…An this is only the beginning.