Our Team & Partners

Our Commitment

Our team consists of community members, ecologists and biodiversity specialists, and environmental restoration and development experts rooted in this remote reach of the Inhambane Seascape.

We believe that communities are this Seascape's true champions of change, and we share a commitment to Malamba-Mazuene as we strive for innovation and scalable, community-led solutions that transform the status quo and shift the narrative on how environmental restoration and conservation are achieved in Mozambique.

In partnership with the communities of Mazuene and Malamba, Dr. Rui Branco and Paola Bouley.co-founded and co-lead MM-CC alongside a growing network of 58 forest and ocean guardians who spearhead grassroots programs.

Rui is also the Mission Blue Hope Spot Co-Champion for Inhambane. And we are very proud members of the Inhambane Seascape Alliance and the Global Rights for Nature Network.

Malamba Coastal Collaborative (MCC) is a program of Associação NATURA, a Mozambican NGO.

Meet the Team

Co-Founder, Co-Director

Paola B.

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

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.

Co-Founder, Co-Director

Mission Blue Co-Champion for the Inhambane Seascape Hope Spot

Dr. Rui Branco

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.

Apiculture Lead & Youth Eco Literacy Technician

Cremilda Nhassengo

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.

MCC Camp Manager

Celia Macuacua

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

Community Coordinator & Chief Guarda

Jose Manguele

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

Ocean Guardian & Youth Eco Literacy Coordinator

Rodrigues Maquene

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.

Community-led Restoration & Governance, Specialist

Samuel Mondlane

With a degree in Social Sciences from Bangalore University, India, and over 15 years of experience working with NGOs, community-based organizations, and national and international platforms and networks, Samuel hs built a career at the intersection of environmental defense, social justice, and community development. Samuel has extensive and deep experience in engaging local communities, including fisheries committees, developing income-generating projects, implementing educational and awareness programs, and training youth and women leaders to become active agents of change. He halso represented Mozambican communities in global processes, including multiple UNFCCC/COPs, amplifying local voices in international climate and energy debates as well as at the Oilwatch Africa and FishNet alliance.

Samuel is driven by the vision of more prosperous marine landscapes, where resilient communities and inspiring local leaders are at the forefront of protecting ecosystems, advancing social justice, and building sustainable development alternatives.

Seascape Community Program Officer

ELISABETH ALFREDO MARIZA

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.

Finance Specialist

GIZELA CAROLINA MACHATINE,

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.