EcoStrategist

For the past 20 years, I have had the privilege of working alongside Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), co-designing conservation projects that not only protect biodiversity but also enhance the wellbeing of communities. Through these experiences, it has become undeniably clear that conservation efforts must integrate social dimensions to be truly effective. Conservation is not only about preserving nature; it is about respecting and uplifting the people who have been its stewards for generations. People and Nature: An Inseparable Relationship The bond between people and nature runs deep. For many Indigenous communities, nature is not a resource to be exploited but a relative, a source of life, and a foundation of cultural identity. Traditional ecological knowledge, passed down through generations, offers invaluable insights into sustainable practices that modern conservation efforts can learn from. However, recognizing this relationship goes beyond appreciating traditio...

 In a world where noise often equals power — where leadership is confused with dominance, and influence with visibility — many of us have found ourselves leading from a different place. Not from the front of the room, shouting directions, but from the inside of conversations. From moments of deep listening. From a quiet, steady pulse of clarity that cuts through the chaos. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that what we sometimes call "soft skills" are in fact profound leadership strengths. Emotional regulation, empathy, conflict mediation, decision-making under pressure — these aren’t traits on the sidelines of leadership; they are at its core. And neuroscience is now confirming what many women have intuitively practiced for decades. This new understanding is being shaped by neuroleadership, a field that explores how our brains operate in complex organizational and social environments. From this research, a new model has emerged: Quiet Leadership. It’s not about leading fr...

Not long ago, while walking through Cumbayá during a heavy rain, I ended up soaked to the knees because of a collapsed storm drain. It’s ironic: we live in a city of mountains and ravines, yet we’ve made it impermeable. Concrete everywhere, rivers channeled or buried, and every winter catches us off guard as if we didn’t know what was coming. That day, I stumbled upon a fascinating idea: “sponge cities.” It sounds almost like science fiction, but it's a real proposal that’s transforming how we design urban spaces. Instead of resisting water, these cities absorb it, filter it, and reuse it—mimicking natural ecosystems like wetlands and forests. In China, the concept gained momentum after the devastating floods of 2012. In 2015, the government launched a program to transform 30 cities—including Wuhan—into sponge cities, aiming to absorb up to 70% of rainfall. They used green roofs, floodable parks, permeable pavement, and urban wetlands (World Resources Institute, 2022). And it’s not...