Marcela Ricupero

I consider myself to be a world citizen and an idealist at heart. I was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and grew up in Ecuador. I have spent the last 10 years living in Latin America and East & Southern Africa working in sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, and climate change. My professional experiences from grassroots up to international levels working with climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction have shaped my respect and appreciation of cultural diversity in addition to my endless passion to create positive and meaningful change.

In 2017 I embarked on an incredible journey of self-discovery and career change when I moved back to Brazil from Mozambique to obtain a postgraduate degree in Social Innovation Management at Amani Institute. Since then I have attempted to start my own social impact venture in the coffee sector (and failed) and facilitated and managed programs centered around adult learning principles, innovation, leadership, and self-awareness.

I currently work at Generation Brazil as Curriculum and Instructional Director and I am also a freelance consultant for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation projects. I have three Master's degrees in International Affairs (American University); Natural Resources & Sustainable Development (UN University for Peace); and Climate Change Adaptation (University of Sunshine Coast). I love exploring different parts of the world and learning about different cultures and my global career has allowed me to integrate my passion for adventure and working with environmental sustainability and climate change.

I am very passionate about collaborative processes and co-creation. I am a strong believer in leading with the heart and evolving people in the process. My favorite quote is: “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together” (African Proverb), and as a leader, I try to live by it.

In my free time, I enjoy sports, hiking, camping, and conversations about anything and everything over a nice cup of specialty coffee.