Our Team
RENATA KOCH ALVARENGA
Founder & Executive Director
Renata Koch Alvarenga is an award-winning Brazilian climate advocate recognized globally for her leadership in feminist climate action and resilience. At age 22, she founded EmpoderaClima, a pioneer youth-led organization promoting women’s empowerment and climate justice across Latin America. For a decade, she has championed gender-just climate solutions, with a strong focus on education and youth engagement in Brazil and the Global South.
In 2021, Renata became the first young Brazilian to speak at the opening of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65), alongside the UN Secretary-General. That same year, she was nominated by Malala Yousafzai as a young leader to watch at COP26. She is a Generation17 Young Leader, an initiative by UNDP and Samsung highlighting changemakers advancing the SDGs worldwide. Renata has taken part in youth councils and leadership programs with UN Women, the World Economic Forum, Bloomberg, and the New York Times. She is on the Environmental Educators 30 Under 30 list, was featured on the cover of Forbes Under 30 Brazil in 2024 for Social Entrepreneurship, and received Estée Lauder’s inaugural Beautiful Forces award.
Renata holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University, and has worked at the UN Youth Office, the World Bank, and the UK Government on global climate and development policy.
Communications
ANNIA KLEIN
Communications Co-Director
Annia Klein is from Porto Alegre, Brazil and graduated in International Relations from Unisinos, in Brazil. She is now a Political Science Master's Student in Germany. Since her Bachelor’s Degree, she has developed an interest in Gender Studies and during the years living in Germany, she started to deepen her knowledge in Climate Change Studies. She believes this is an extremely relevant matter to be working with, and joining both Gender and Climate Change subjects is what most interested her in joining EmpoderaClima. Gaining experience and committing to working as a Comms volunteer, to Annia, is a way of making a difference as a young woman from a developing country.
GABRIEL ANDRIOLLI
Communications Co-Director
Gabriel is a friendly guy. He lives in Porto Alegre, in the south of Brazil, and has recently graduated in International Relations from UNISINOS. During his graduation, Gabriel participated in several projects in communication roles and was always worried about the social impact of these activities. Also, Gabriel started his professional career in the marketing and communications area, although he does not consider himself an outgoing person. Overall, he is frequently concerned with the inequalities in our world, especially regarding climate change, and aims to act right now! To try to relax, Gabriel likes reading books on investigations with historical backgrounds (very specific), watching Netflix, reading about China, and watching YouTube videos about cleaning and painting restorations.
ENAIRA SCHOEMBERGER
Communications
Master's in Journalism from the State University of Ponta Grossa (UEPG), with a bachelor's degree in Journalism as well, currently based in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. With experience in the nonprofit sector, she believes in communication as a tool for transformation. Passionate about addressing gender and climate issues, exploring their intersections with depth and impact.
FERNANDA LAGOEIRO
Communications
Fernanda Lagoeiro is a journalist with a specialization in marketing. She has contributed to Folha de S.Paulo, Jornal O Globo, Projeto Draft, and other outlets, always reporting on gender issues, climate, and social impact. She is an ambassador for the Fora Network for Change, a former member of YOUNGO, and served as the communications representative for JDS Campinas. Sharing quality information and raising awareness is what drives this Aquarius woman, who loves to travel solo and dreams of checking off every country on her travel list while doing what she loves.
GIOVANNA GALVANI
Communications
A trained journalist from Cásper Líbero College, she has worked as a reporter, anchor, and producer for outlets such as CartaCapital, CNN Brazil, and UOL, primarily covering national and international politics, daily life, and the environment. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Climate Change: Media, Public Policy, and Society at Dublin City University in Ireland, with a GOI-IES scholarship. Her interests include just transition in Latin America, agri-food systems, and communication and public engagement on climate issues.
HELOISA GIUSTI
Communications
Heloisa is 23 years old and holds a degree in Advertising and Public Relations from PUCRS. She currently works as a copywriter and loves crafting creative narratives for social media. She believes that the content we create online has the power to impact people's lives—little by little and in many different ways. She's passionate about pop culture, literature, and cinema.
RAYRA FORTUNATO
Communications
Rayra Fortunato is a Brazilian political scientist and digital strategist with expertise in political communication, climate justice, and youth engagement. She led communications at the European Youth Press, amplifying voices of over 60,000 young journalists, and coordinated media for the EU-funded Voices of the Next Generation. At the University of Coimbra, she supported educational access for Brazilian students through the ENEM program. Rayra is also the founder of WIKIRI, a platform for political education and digital activism in the Global South. With degrees in Political Science and International Relations, and professional experience across five countries, she is committed to building inclusive narratives that link global challenges to civic action.
SOFIA SALLES
Digital & Content Producer
Sofia Salles is a 23 year old Brazilian woman from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. She holds a bachelor`s degree in International Relations from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC-Minas). Since the beginning of her studies, Sofia has been inspired on perusing a career to understand the relation between environmental preservation on a global scale. With that interest, during her graduation, Sofia has developed researchers on the topic of climate change and sustainable development, as well as voluntary work. Her graduation thesis was an analysis on the impacts and the relationship between the International Climate Change Regime and the concept of State Sovereignty. In her spare time, Sofia enjoys reading, spending time with her friends and watching movies.
YASMIM HELLEN CUNHA
Communications
Yasmim Helleen Cunha is a journalist from Piauí based in Rio Grande do Norte. She holds a Master’s degree in Media Studies and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Climate Sciences. Her research focuses on public health in the context of environmental changes, with particular interest in the intersections of communication, climate justice, and technology. She has worked with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), developing digital strategies aimed at public health, and as a journalist for the Drauzio Varella portal, writing about health, the environment, and technology, with a focus on inequalities and territorial issues. For Yasmim, communication is a bridge built with trust and connection. She finds inspiration outdoors—writing poetry, photographing, surfing, and reading about history, science, and politics. She believes that the future of communication lies in reconnecting people with nature and conducts her work with creativity, curiosity, and purpose.
Research
CARMEN ROBERTA TABOADA
Research Director
Carmen is from Porto Alegre, Brazil. She holds a BA in International Relations at Unisinos, Brazil, for which her thesis was about the suffrage movement and its impact on British foreign policy. Since then, she fell in love with the subject of women empowerment and political participation, and social justice movements in general. Carmen considers access to information and education fundamental pillars for changing the world order we live in, so she has participated in different social and academic volunteer work, and now is joining EmpoderaClima to contribute even more to this objective. In her free time, Carmen enjoys reading books, watching TV series, listening to podcasts about global news, hanging out with her friends and travelling.
AMANDA LEGÓRBURU
Researcher
Amanda Legórburu is a Fine Arts and Design Student located in Madrid, Spain. She is originally from Caracas, Venezuela but moved to Madrid in 2018 to pursue her studies. Amanda is very interested in topics of social diversity and inclusion, as well as climate change solutions. In her free time, she loves reading, drawing, and watching tv shows. She is also an avid language and music lover!
AMANDA MARTINS
Researcher
Amanda Rossini Martins is a Brazilian lawyer specialized in Environmental, Urban, and Digital Law, with a Master’s from the European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratization. A climate activist with Latinas por el Clima, she has published on refugee law, algorithmic discrimination, indigenous rights, and climate mobility. Her thesis focused on climate litigation and corporate responsibility. Passionate about nature, veganism, and communication, she advocates for climate justice and more-than-human rights through a decolonized, interdisciplinary lens.
ANA PAULA BARBOSA
Researcher
Ana Paula Barbosa, from Goiânia (Brazil), holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of Brasília (UnB). She has experience in advocacy, applied research, and project management, working at the intersection of government, private sector, and civil society on issues like sustainable agriculture, ESG, and biome conservation. Ana Paula has contributed to public policy on climate and gender through roles at Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the British government. She studied sustainable business at the Free University of Berlin and led environmental education projects with “A Vida no Cerrado.” At EmpoderaClima, she supports knowledge-sharing and female leadership in climate action. In her free time, she enjoys painting, crocheting, and biking.
JOAQUIN BALBI
Researcher
Joaquin Balbi is a sociologist and environmentalist from Buenos Aires, Argentina, committed to promoting socially inclusive alternatives to extractivism in Latin America and the Caribbean. He holds a Sociology degree from the University of Buenos Aires and conducted research on social inequalities at the Gino Germani Institute. A Fulbright Scholar, he joined a young leaders seminar at the University of San Andrés in 2022. Now pursuing a Master’s in International Relations at FLACSO, his research focuses on biodiversity policy and energy transitions in the region.
JULIA ROSA
Researcher
Julia is from Porto Alegre, Brazil, but has also lived in England and in the United Arab Emirates. Her time abroad fostered her love for international studies. She holds a BA in International Relations from UNISINOS and is currently undergoing her Masters degree in International Strategic Studies at UFRGS, where she focuses her research on sustainable development and the Global South. She has a passion for teaching and wishes to continue down this path. Since the beginning of her academic and professional career, she has been interested in the intersections between International Relations and environmental preservation, considering this a key challenge in the 21st century. She has had the opportunity to volunteer abroad twice, in Thailand and Ethiopia. In her spare time, she enjoys reading romance novels, watching documentaries of any genre and spending time with friends, family and her two dogs.
MAÏRA DE ROUSSAN
Researcher
Maïra de Roussan has dual Canadian and Brazilian citizenship. She graduated in Political Science and History from McGill University in Canada and currently lives in Salvador, Bahia, her hometown. She is now working at the intersection of International Cooperation and Sustainability, in Salvador´s City Hall. She is also completing a postgraduation in Environment and Sustainability at FGV. Maïra is passionate about the environment, especially the ocean and its protection. During her free time, you can always find her travelling or by the sea, with her snorkel or surfboard. She has found herself in the environmental agenda and has big dreams to promote policies to fight climate change and gender inequality. She strongly believes in Empodera’s mission statement and in the power that education and public awareness hold to build a better future for the planet and for everyone.
SOFIA HERNÁNDEZ
Researcher
Sofia is a Political Scientist from Costa Rica. She is interested in Human Rights, Democracy, research, and political marketing. She is one of the co-founders of Latinas por el Clima, one of the first members of Fridays for Future in Costa Rica, and started a campaign in Costa Rica to promote the Escazú Agreement. She has attended different conferences related to Human Rights, Democracy, and Sustainable Development. Currently, wants to specialize in Data Analysis and marketing in order to have a broad vision of how to do politics and work to promote human rights.
TAÍS SERRA MONTANI
Researcher
Taís is from Porto Alegre, in the south of Brazil. She is currently studying International Relations at Unisinos, where she gets really involved with student politics and initiatives of the university. Promoting gender equality has always been very important for her, and studying the huge challenge of climate change in the international system showed her how we still have many simple unknown ways to contribute and misinformation about this fight and its consequences. She is one of the founders of @guriasdori, an Instagram account focused on the democratization of information and women representation. In her spare time, she loves reading and having a cup of coffee.
Translation
GERSON DA SILVA FILHO
Translation director
Gerson is a masters student in International Strategic Studies and holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations, both from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). He volunteers with CIBAI Migrações, providing support to migrants and refugees, and previously worked with the pre-documentation and livelihoods team at the Jesuit Service for Migrants and Refugees (SJMR) in Porto Alegre. He has also participated in extension projects within the International Relations program and served as Secretary of Academic Affairs for UFRGSMUNDI (2020–2022). His main areas of interest include Contemporary International Migration, Refuge, Post-Colonialism, Race, and Climate Change. He is a CAPES scholar (Social Demand Program).
GABRIELA INACIO
Translation
Gabriela Marques Inácio, originally from Salvador, Brazil, currently based in Paris, France. She is a Brazilian lawyer with a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Tiradentes University Sergipe and a specialization in Public International Law from Paris-Panthéon-Assas University, focusing on Human Rights and sustainability. Passionate about gender equality, Gabriela, as a Latin American woman, believes that knowledge and education are crucial for creating opportunities and achieving gender parity for girls and women from the Global South. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, photography, and listening to music. At EmpoderaClima, Gabriela is a member of the French Translation team.
LUISANNA HERNANDEZ JEPPESEN
Translation
Luisanna was born in Caracas, Venezuela, where she learned that education is the paramount pillar upon which society stands. She studied at Colorado State University, an institution that values the interconnectedness of planetary and human health, and graduated with Bachelor’s of Sciences in both Microbiology and Zoology, with a Chemistry minor. Her Thesis research project was part of a greater NSF funded study in crustacean endocrinology with impacts in food security and ecology. She volunteered as an animal caretaker at the W.O.L.F. Sanctuary and the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program in Colorado, and worked as a university-level genetics tutor. She currently lives in Berlin, where she studies German and bakes something sweet every weekend with her girlfriend.
Projects & Impact
VITTORIA HORCH
Projects Director
Vittoria Horch is from Porto Alegre, Brazil, and holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from University of the Sinos Valley (UNISINOS). During her studies, she has developed a great interest in the topics of gender equality, climate and sustainable development. As her final thesis, Vittoria researched gender in climate policies, analyzing the contributions of the NDCs to gender equity in South America. In addition, she also currently participates in different social and academic volunteer work. In her free time, Vittoria enjoys reading, watching horror movies, going out to eat with friends and traveling! At EmpoderaClima, she’s a part of the Project Management team!
BRENDA MEDEIROS
Projects Manager
Brenda is a Brazilian environmental and civil engineer with a Master’s in Environmental Engineering from Columbia University and over six years of experience in renewable energy and carbon management. At 21, she founded a solar energy business to expand clean energy access. Originally from Piauí, she actively supports women in STEM through initiatives like Women in Solar Energy Brazil and the Society of Women Graduate Engineers. Brenda has led sustainability projects across the Americas and champions collaborative, solutions-driven leadership.
BRUNA ALMEIDA
Projects Manager
Bruna Almeida, from Sorocaba, São Paulo, is pursuing a degree in International Relations at the University of Brasília and Sciences Po Paris. Raised near Atlantic Forest reserves and active in the Scouts, she developed a strong interest in climate and sustainable development. Bruna now works with international organizations on environmental projects and is actively involved in youth advocacy for the 2030 Agenda in Brazil. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading romance novels, and spending time with family.
DANIELA CRUZ
Project Manager
A northeastern woman and co-founder of the Brazilian Biodiversity and Climate Network (RBBC), I have over seven years' experience in the areas of climate activism, biodiversity conservation, gender justice and youth mobilization. I have a bachelor's degree in Forestry Engineering from the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), where I received an honorable mention for second place in the area of Agricultural Sciences in the Scientific Initiation Award (PIBIC/UFS). I was an advisor to the European Union's Youth Advisory Committee for Cooperation in Brazil and communications supervisor for the Global Youth Biodiversity Network Brazil (GYBN Brasil). I am an advocate of intersectional environmentalism, and believe that tackling planetary crises requires a deep commitment to gender equity, racial justice and the collective construction of solutions.
GEOVANNA JANUÁRIO
Projects Manager
Geovanna Januário is from São Paulo’s countryside, with a degree in Geography from the Federal University of Viçosa and currently pursuing a master’s in Development, Planning, and Territory at the Federal University of São João del-Rei. Her work focuses on social transformation through critical geography, emphasizing territories, environmental justice, and grassroots movements. She supports feminist resistance and leads projects that empower marginalized youth, popular culture, and Black women. Her research centers on environmental racism, traditional communities, and mining-affected areas, highlighting the economic and social strength of Black women and their networks of resistance and solidarity.
NATHALIA ALVES
Projects Manager
Nathalia was born in São Paulo and currently lives in Natal, known as the "City of the Sun" in Brazil. She is finishing her degree in Industrial Engineering at UFRN, with a thesis focused on Humanitarian Logistics in crisis and disaster contexts. Throughout her studies, she has been involved in projects and research related to green products and renewable energy, and also completed an academic exchange program in France. She has professional experience in consulting and logistics, and her goal is to integrate engineering with the promotion of climate justice and sustainability. Nathalia is a fitness enthusiast, yoga practitioner, and passionate about long walks while traveling, coffee, and creative ideas.
VITÓRIA PASSOS
Projects Manager
Vitória Passos is a climate activist and Urban Resilience researcher based in Recife, Brazil. She has over five years of experience in urban resilience, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation. A Law graduate from the Catholic University of Pernambuco, she has also taken part in leadership and governance programs (Clear Miami, Youth Climate Leaders, Cleo Institute), disaster risk training (FEMA, IAEM, CERT Miami), and climate advocacy (Miami Climate Alliance, EngajaMundo). Vitória currently serves as Innovation and Urban Resilience Manager at ProMorar Recife, a project funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, where she also coordinates NUPDEC Mulheres—the first public disaster risk leadership training program in Brazil exclusively for women.
Advocacy
VICTÓRIA RAMPAZZO
Advocacy Director
Victória Rampazzo, 26 years old, is a young Brazilian woman from Sao Paulo, she has an Environmental Management from the University of Sao Paulo, and is currently living in Porto (Portugal) doing a Master's Degree in Hazards, Cities, and Spatial Planning at the University of Porto. She is a passionate person about good transformations in society. Member of the Brazilian youth-led organization "Engajamundo", Focal Point of Youth Climate Leader (YCL), and is a Youth Leader at the UN Women’s Feminist Action for Climate Justice Action Coalition. She participated in communication, advocacy, and climate education projects, co-organizing events at CSW66, CSW67, and also participated at COP 27 a panel discussion about SRHR and Climate. She had the opportunity to participate in European Projects about youth, climate, and is currently working on assurance & audit projects focused on sustainability and ESG for companies.
FRANCIELLE SILVA
Advocacy
Francielle Silva, from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, has been an environmental activist for over nine years. She holds degrees in International Relations from UFRGS and Environmental Management from IFES. Her work includes research on climate justice and projects with Quilombola, Indigenous, and Afro-Brazilian religious communities in southern Brazil. She currently works in the northern region of the country, promoting sustainability education and initiatives that value Amazonian knowledge and traditions.
ÍSIS FERNANDA SALLES
Advocacy
Ísis Fernanda Salles is a geographer from the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) and a Project Management student at the University of São Paulo (USP). She works at the intersection of climate justice, human and territorial rights, and the empowerment of marginalized and traditional youth. A member of the GeografAR research group, she studies socio-territorial conflicts related to Brazil’s energy transition and large-scale renewable energy projects. A young leader in the nonprofit sector, Ísis has worked with organizations like Engajamundo—where she led the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Working Group—NOSSAS, and WWF Brazil, strengthening her work in climate justice, energy, and social mobilization. In Salvador, she founded the Orinãra Collective, supporting vulnerable communities in the face of environmental racism and the climate crisis. Her journey is rooted in popular knowledge, ancestral resistance, and youth participation in shaping both present and future.
JÚLIA CAIXETA
Advocacy
Júlia Caixeta, 22, is an International Relations student at the Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), where she works in the International Relations Office. With a strong connection to global issues, she participated in COP27 and currently serves as a Youth Climate Negotiator for the city of Rio de Janeiro. She also had a prominent role in organizations like Girl Up and AIESEC, where she promoted young female leadership in her city. She is also the founder and leader of Instituto Yara, an initiative focused on the intersection of gender and climate issues. Passionate about traveling, she seeks to expand her knowledge of international relations while exploring different cultures around the world.
KAREN BAILÓN
Advocacy
Karen Bailón is an Ecuadorian climate and gender advocate with a background in International Relations. She has been involved in promoting sustainability, gender equality, and indigenous rights. As a Focal Point for Girl Up Latam at UNOY, she elevates the voices of underrepresented youth in peace building efforts. Karen has collaborated with Tremendas Ecuador on gender and climate change initiatives and was a Global Youth Programs Fellow at The Climate Reality Project. She is also a passionate researcher on environmental defenders in the Amazon. Additionally, Karen participated in the U.S. Department of State's Community Engagement Exchange (CEE) Program, where she developed a women's empowerment project, strengthening the leadership and advocacy skills of marginalized communities.
MARIA CLARA ROCHA
Advocacy
Maria Clara is a young leader from Fortaleza, Brazil, and an incoming freshman at Harvard University, where she plans to explore politics, global health, and environmental impact. Passionate about education, sustainability, and neuroscience, she led the NGO Construindo o Futuro, empowering 8,500 youth across Brazil and beyond. She was the only Brazilian awarded at three Harvard Model UN conferences and worked to expand MUN access across Latin America. Committed to educational equity and sustainable development, she aims to study how technology and neuroscience can promote healthier habits in a globalized world.
Operations Team
ROCÍO OSORIO
Operations Director
Rocío Osorio is from Perú and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Engineering and a Master’s degree in Consumer Science. During her Master's studies she deepen her interest in the topic: “The Role of Gender in Entrepreneurship” and wrote her master’s thesis in that field. She has been living in Munich, Germany since 2019 and now she is working in Consulting. She believes that change happens when we take action and every contribution matters, regardless of its size. She also volunteers in a network to promote DE&I with a focus on race and ethnicity in the company she works for.
Administrative Affairs
CAROLINA LEAL DE MAGALHÃES
Administrative Affairs
Carolina Leal de Magalhães is a graduate in International Relations from UFRJ and is currently completing a postgraduate degree in Sustainability at the same institution. Working in internationalization at a university, she is driven by her passion for sustainability and gender issues, which have shaped her academic and professional journey. Motivated by the pressing challenges of today, Carolina is eager to contribute to a more just and sustainable future. In her free time, she loves losing herself in a good book, always with a cup of iced coffee by her side - though she's never one to turn down a good beer with her friends!
IZABELLA COLINO
Administrative Affairs
Izabella is a young researcher from Belém, Brazil. She loves learning about different cultures and believes that even local actions can cause global repercussions. Izabella also holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations and is currently doing her Master's in Political Science. Passionate about causes regarding the Amazon region, education and gender equality, she engages herself in volunteering in different organizations to contribute in making the world a better place.
People & Culture
LUIZA SCHERER
People & Culture Director
Luiza was born in Porto Alegre - RS, Brazil and is currently living in Portugal. With a degree in International Relations and a Masters in Development and International Cooperation, she combines a background in leadership with a deep commitment to climate action. During her academic years, she specialized in climate research focused on Small Island Developing States and environmental migration. She also has a professional career in branding and digital marketing, but decided to join EmpoderaClima to fulfill her passion and lifelong goal of taking action against climate change.
IZABELA SARALHA FRIGUETTO
People & Culture
Izabela, 26 years old, has dual Portuguese and Brazilian citizenship. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Law from Escola Superior Dom Helder Câmara (ESDHC) and in Philosophy from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). Throughout her academic and professional path, Izabela has developed a strong interest in public service, social justice, and labor rights. She currently works as a legal advisor at the City Attorney's Office of Belo Horizonte, focusing on labor-related matters involving public servants. In addition to her professional work, she has also been engaged in volunteer activities and legal research, especially on topics related to the protection of social rights and climate-just world. In her free time, Izabela enjoys hiking, practicing CrossFit, and exploring cultural and gastronomic experiences.
LAURA GALVÃO
People & Culture
Laura is a communications professional with a major in marketing. From an early age, caring for nature has always been part of her life as she grew up with an environmental engineer as a mom and a grandfather who was passionate about bees. During her undergraduate years, she joined Clima de Mudança, a youth-led climate organization, and after graduation became part of the Global Shapers, an initiative by the World Economic Forum. Within Global Shapers, she had the opportunity to co-lead the Menstrual Dignity Project. Currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in ESG and Corporate Sustainability at FGV, Laura is passionate about using communication and marketing as tools for business transformation and positive social impact. She believes that connection and engagement are powerful tools to build a better world and create a more sustainable and possible future.
Institutional Affairs
LUÍSA BUOGO
Institutional Affairs Director
Luísa Buogo is from Porto Alegre, Brazil, and holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from UNISINOS, Brazil. She is currently running her own business as a private English teacher while pursuing a career in multilateral institutions. She believes that gender and climate issues need to have more space in political and social agendas and for her, the commitment to bring information and knowledge widely is one of the ways to achieve this goal.
BEATRIZ BRASILIANO
Institutional Affairs
Beatriz Brasiliano is a Brazilian lawyer and holds a Bachelor's degree in Law from IBMEC in Rio de Janeiro, as well as a Master's degree in International Law and a second Master's degree in International Administration from Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne University in France. During her academic journey, Beatriz worked as an advocacy officer for a Brazilian NGO at the Human Rights Council, gaining practical experience in advocating for human rights issues. After her studies, Beatriz gained valuable experience in international organizations. She interned at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, subsequently, she secured another internship opportunity at the World Food Programme Headquarters in Rome, Italy. Building on this experience, Beatriz extended her expertise by working as a consultant at Rabobank in Amsterdam, where she participated in a project in West Africa through the Partnerships Department.
EMILY CAMPOS
Institutional Affairs
Emily Campos is a Junior International Relations professional with a Bachelor’s from UFRRJ, a Master’s from UNILA, and a Postgraduate diploma in International Law from CEDIN. Her work focuses on Human Rights, International Cooperation, Gender, and Sustainable Development, enriched by experience in Model UN, international law competitions, and research. She has contributed to research centers and international organizations through administrative and project support roles, and has also volunteered in education in both Peru and Brazil. A polyglot fluent in five languages, Emily is deeply committed to democratizing knowledge and fostering meaningful communication, guided by the Latin principle of communicare—to share, participate, and make a positive impact.
LUCERO RODRIGUEZ
Institutional Affairs
Lucero is an Argentinian lawyer, activist and researcher born and based in Formosa, Argentina. She is an advocate for gender equality and access to education. Currently, she is working in the Ministry of Economy, Treasure and Finance of Formosa and has recently won a Fulbright scholarship to do a Master of International Affairs and Development in the U.S. in 2023. She has a Bachelor of Laws from UNNE in Argentina, and academic exchanges in the U.S. and Brazil. Additionally, she has more than 4 years of volunteering work in educational organizations, and she is a member of the Board of Directors of US Alumni NEA (Northeast of Argentina), an alumni group of educational programs of the U.S. State Department that promotes academic opportunities.
SOFIA SIQUEIRA
Institutional Affairs
Sofia Siqueira, from Porto Alegre, Brazil, holds a degree in International Relations from Unisinos and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration at Leiden University in the Netherlands. She has interned at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, contributed to research on climate disaster impacts, and supported Brazilian companies at ApexBrasil. A former volunteer with UNICEF Brazil’s #tmjUNICEF, she is passionate about public policy, especially translating research into action. At EmpoderaClima, she works on the Institutional Affairs team.
THAÍS PINHEIRO
Institutional Affairs
Thaís Pinheiro grew up in a small town in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and holds a degree in International Relations from PUC-Rio. She’s now a graduate student at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education, focusing on natural resource management and sustainable ecosystems. Her roots in Brazil sparked a deep passion for environmental conservation, and living abroad has strengthened her appreciation for cultural diversity and global perspectives. Thaís lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, with her husband and two cats. She loves hiking, traveling, and exploring the outdoors in her free time.
Legal Affairs
CLARA SEPE COUTO
Legal Director
Clara Couto is a Brazilian lawyer, born and raised in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Law from PUC Minas and is currently an LLM student in Corporate Law at IBMEC - Belo Horizonte. As a young woman from the Global South, she is deeply passionate about promoting social justice and gender equality. Graduating as the top student of the Law School's Class of 2022, Clara has honered her legal expertise and gained practical experience in various legal areas. Although she is happy working in the corporate/business law field, Clara feels a strong desire to utilize her skills and knowledge to make a more significant impact on people's lives - and that's the reason she joined EmpoderaClima, aiming to use her legal experience and background to fight for a more gender and climate just world. In her spare time, she likes to hang out with friends, watch romcom movies and listen to music.
HELENA TEICH
Legal Advisor
Helena is from São Paulo, Brazil, but has also lived in Rio de Janeiro. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from FGV Direito Rio. During her academic and professional journey Helena worked with arbitration, corporate and private law and intellectual property. Alongside her legal practice, Helena has always been deeply concerned about the impact of climate change and social inequalities. She’s driven by the belief that collective action can reverse the harm being done to both the planet and its most vulnerable communities. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new cultures through travel, cuisine, and media, always eager to expand her worldview and understanding of diverse perspectives.
YASMIN ARAÚJO
Legal Advisor
Yasmin Soares de Sousa Araujo, from Fortaleza, Brazil, is a lawyer specialized in Public and Environmental Law. Passionate about humanitarian and environmental causes, she also dedicates herself to academic research. Since 2020, she has been a researcher in International Human Rights Law with the GEDAI group at the Federal University of Ceará. She joined Associação Marta’s legal team in 2022, supporting efforts against structural violence toward women, and became a member of the OAB/CE Human Rights Commission in 2023. In 2025, she joined EmpoderaClima as a Legal Advisor, driven by the belief that transforming the world is not madness, but a pursuit of justice—an ideal she brings to every step of her journey.
Budget & Impact
NATALY HONÓRIO
Budget & Impact Director
Nataly is originally from Lins, in the countryside of São Paulo, where she currently lives. Driven by her passion for social impact, she is involved in a local association that supports families facing financial hardship. She also serves as Director of Administration at BRASA, a global organization that supports Brazilian students in their international journeys. A graduate in Accounting, she is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in Finance and Controllership at the University of São Paulo. Her search for professional purpose led her to focus on climate change and the role of institutions in this context—one of the main reasons she joined EmpoderaClima, where she works as Budget and Impact Leader.
CAMILA ROCHA
Budget & Impact
Camila T Q Rocha, born in Belém, from Pará, an accountant, holds a postgraduate degree in Auditing and is a student of Rural Development (UFPA). She volunteers in the Extension Program ‘Amazônia em Questão’ (NUMA/UFPA), is a pet mom, and joined EmpoderaClima with the belief that the world can be a fairer place to live in.