EcoStrategist

While browsing through LinkedIn recently, I discovered a compelling article titled "Líderes de la sociedad civil de América Latina lanzan un llamado a la acción sobre el financiamiento del agua y el saneamiento." This article not only highlighted the critical challenges faced by our water systems due to climate change but also aligned closely with my past experiences and the urgent need for proactive financial strategies and local participation in water management. From 2012 to 2018, I worked with Rare, focusing on watershed conservation across Latin America. Our projects aimed at both protecting these vital ecosystems and empowering local communities to take stewardship of their natural resources. This experience has shown me how essential sustainable practices are to maintaining the balance of these delicate systems and has taught me the value of behaviour change and community engagement in these efforts. The article stressed the economic impact of investing in water and sa

  Drawing from over 25 years of enriching experience across Latin America and Asia, my journey in the conservation sector has been a testament to the evolving landscape of NGO management and fundraising. With a background deeply rooted in environmental projects and an MBA to bolster my administrative acumen, I've navigated through various roles, from leading conservation programs at EcoCiencia and BirdLife International to pioneering innovative water programs with Rare in Colombia. Each role has contributed a piece to the intricate puzzle of my understanding of the nonprofit world. Embracing Storytelling as a Core Strategy Throughout my career, starting from my early days at EcoCiencia, leading projects that monitored insect communities in Esmeraldas, to my strategic leadership roles at BirdLife International, where I directed a diverse team across the Americas, I've witnessed the compelling impact of personal stories. These narratives, whether they’re about the communities

 In an era where climate change poses an existential threat to our planet, the conversation around sustainability has never been more urgent. However, the dialogue is incomplete without addressing the social equity component. The quest for a sustainable future is not just about environmental protection but ensuring that every community has equitable access to the benefits of sustainability efforts. How can we ensure that our fight against environmental degradation also champions social justice? Environmental challenges do not affect everyone equally. Marginalized communities across the globe bear the brunt of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution despite contributing the least to these crises. For instance, studies have shown that low-income and minority communities often reside in areas with higher exposure to air and water pollution (Bell & Ebisu, 2012; Mohai, Pellow, & Roberts, 2009). These communities also face greater risks from climate-induced disasters, with le

The shift from bustling office spaces to the quiet corners of our homes has been nothing short of a revolution. Like many, I found myself navigating this new terrain of remote work, which, while liberating, brought its own set of challenges and learnings, especially around the concept of accountability. Accountability in the Remote Work Era: A Personal Take To me, accountability isn’t just about ticking off tasks on a to-do list; it’s about owning your space in the virtual world with the same integrity and dedication as you would in a physical office. It’s about showing up for your team, even when you’re not physically showing up anywhere. This realization didn’t come easy. It was born out of missed deadlines, overbooked schedules, and the genuine desire to find a rhythm in the chaos of change. The Challenges and Opportunities: A Story of Adaptation The Challenges: Navigating Uncharted Waters ·        When my workspace suddenly shifted from a well-equipped office to a small d

 In the heart of our relentless pursuit of a better world, where conservation and human well-being intertwine, the teachings of Arthur C. Brooks shine like a beacon. Brooks, a sage in understanding happiness, invites us to a profound realization: our quest for a healthier planet is deeply connected to our pursuit of joy, satisfaction, and purpose. Embracing Communities with Purpose and Joy Imagine walking through a lush, vibrant forest, home to a local or indigenous community whose ancestors have thrived here for centuries. Arthur Brooks' teachings, emphasizing the fusion of enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose, resonate profoundly within the vibrant ecosystem of an local  community. Here, happiness isn't an isolated pursuit but a communal experience, deeply intertwined with the roots of family, faith, and social connections. Indigenous communities exemplify this philosophy through their robust family bonds, spiritual ties to the land, and intricate social networks. These eleme

In a world increasingly driven by the narrative of "never enough," Brené Brown's insights into scarcity culture offer a crucial lens through which we can understand and address this pervasive issue. Scarcity culture, a belief system centered on the idea of perpetual insufficiency, affects our lives profoundly, from personal well-being to societal dynamics. Defining Scarcity Culture: Scarcity culture is characterized by a constant sense of lacking, whether it's time, resources, or social validation. It's a mindset where people believe they are never rich enough, successful enough, or popular enough. This relentless pursuit of more breeds a cycle of perpetual dissatisfaction and competition. We see scarcity culture reflected in various societal arenas: the relentless drive in consumerism, the glorification of busyness in work culture, and the curated perfection on social media. This culture pushes us to constantly compare ourselves with others, leading to a sense of