Our Team & Partners

Paola is an ecologist with 30 years of experience in biodiversity safeguarding and endangered species recovery.

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She is an Open Circles Dialogue Facilitator, Women for the Environment Africa Fellow, and WINGS Women of Discovery Flag Carrier.

She holds a Master of Science: Ecology & Systematic Biology from the Estuary & Ocean Science Center -San Francisco State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology from the University of

California at Santa Cruz. 

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Rui has over two decades of deep experience and leadership in Mozambique with a focus on impactful and inclusive ecosystem restoration and protection of biodiversity, growing next-generations of environmental leaders, strategic planning, and boots-on-the-ground management and implementation.​

Cremilda leads the Apiculture Program overseeing a dozen apiaries and ensuring the training and mentoring of all beekeepers, and production of high quality artisanal batch honey each year.  She also co-leads eco literacy training in the Malamba and Mazuene schools.

Celia has been on the MCC team for 15 years, helping ensure the management of Mukovela and Nsonzo camps.

Jose leads security for MM-CC, and is also the lead coordinator liasoning and supporting the Malamba-Mazuene CCP and community programs.

Rodrigues is MCC’s BIMBI WUTOMI Eco Camp Coordinator & Educator overseeing the delivery of eco literacy and marine ecology training to primary school students across the MCC coastline. He also leads the teams of youth ocean plastic removal teams. Rodrigues received an Ocean Revolution scholarship called “Zero to Hero” where beginning October 2025 will undergo a year-long training to be a fully certified scientific diver, a first in his community.

Malu was born and raised in the Inhambane Seascape. His work is supported by WildImpact and Mission Blue and is focused on operational support for all programs from eco literacy to rural development, and especially focused on training and mentorship of community Ocean Guardians overseeing sea turtle and fisheries monitoring along 16km of coastline in partnership with the Malamba-Mazuene Community Fisheries Council.

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He is a civil Construction Engineering student at UNITIVA and has completed ArcGIS,Revit, ArchiCAD, AutoCAD, and CYPECAD courses.  And is fluent in Portuguese, English and Chitswa.

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As an entrepreneur and mother with a nursing background, Elizabeth brings a lifetime of experience in business development, women's empowerment & leadership, and wellbeing to her work at MCC.

Elizabeth is helping oversee the launch and implementation of  a ProAzul and European Union funded consortium called "Co-creating a Thriving Seascape: Forging a New LMMA Network, Strengthening Community Governance and Women's Leadership, & Sustaining Blue Economy Livelihoods in Inhambane, Mozambique.” Her role focuses on strengthening women entrepreneurship, supporting and sustaining community fisheries council governance, and youth eco literacy and development.  Elizabeth is fluent in Chitswa, English, and Portuguese.

Gizela joined the NATURA team in 2026 and is a professional in the administrative and accounting field, with a secondary education in Accounting and Auditing and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Taxation. She has experience as an Accounting Assistant and Administrative Assistant, having worked in private companies, accounting consultancies, educational institutions, and health projects. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong passion for process organization, financial control, and administrative support. She is recognized for her responsibility, honesty, and results-oriented approach, maintaining a constant commitment to learning and professional growth.

Andre began with MCC in 2021, and is from Mazuene.

Orlando has been on team since 2021 and is from Malamba.

Antonio has been on team since 2022, and is from Mazuene.