I was born in the Netherlands, to a Portuguese mother and a Dutch father. Growing up between two cultures taught me early on to embrace contrasts and forge my own path. Nature was always my anchor—from weekends in the woods to my time in Africa, where I learned the true complexity of development and how limited our assumptions sometimes are.

My academic path began in business and finance. But it wasn't until I delved into microfinance, during my master's research in Tanzania, that I understood the human side of money: that numbers only become meaningful when they impact lives.

I've carried that belief with me professionally. At Rabobank Foundation, I learned to see through the eyes of an entrepreneur, at Oikocredit I learned to handle both praise and criticism, and at THNK I discovered that my courage is a strength. With Meraki Impact and reNature, I delved deeper into private equity and grew alongside founders—sometimes even as interim CEO. Later, at UNEP and in impact-driven companies, I gained a broader perspective on system change.

After over fourteen years of experience, I know where I thrive: mobilizing financing for entrepreneurs with whom I have a relationship of trust, and building systems that do justice to people and the planet. Now, as a mother of three, I feel that urgency even more strongly. Our generation is witnessing a decline in biodiversity and well-being; my motivation is to contribute to regeneration—so that my children inherit a world richer in nature and opportunities.

What appeals to me about Generous Minds is the combination of an impact-first approach with a co-entrepreneurial model. I believe in the power of collaboration, shared ownership, and mutually reinforcing expertise. That is precisely the community in which I want to apply my experience and continue to grow.