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Marisa Rodrigues
Managing Director
Nationality:
Portuguese
Countries I Worked for:
Angola
Botswana
Brazil​
India
Mozambique
Namibia
New Zealand
South Africa
USA
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A Bit About Me
Marisa C. Rodrigues is the founder of Groundd, a company dedicated to empowering communities through nature-based solutions and conservation enterprises. Groundd addresses the need for business planning and accountability in conservation and nature-related projects. It supports its mission by advancing markets to restore nature through innovative business models, tailored finance solutions, impact campaigns, and cross-sector partnerships in key global regions. By transitioning from extraction to conservation economies and focusing on ecosystem services, corporate responsibility, and community-inclusive development, Groundd aims to save and restore our Earth.
Marisa has extensive experience in trade and development, particularly in Southern Africa. She is currently an Expert in Trade and Development and Team Leader for FNDS/MozBio in Mozambique, where she developed the Residue Monitoring and National Plan for green exports. She also serves as an Expert Trainer in Agriculture and Trade for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Angola, designing programs to enhance national honey production and exports.
Marisa's leadership roles include Community Development Director for the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project and Senior Manager for Sustainable Livelihoods. Her work focuses on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable livelihood opportunities, and developing conservation enterprises. She has held various positions in Mozambique, Brazil, Angola, Namibia, and Botswana, making significant contributions to conservation and sustainable development sectors. In Angola, Marisa pioneered strategies to mitigate human-elephant conflicts. Her extensive work with rural communities in Africa and her entrepreneurial mindset led to the creation of ELREPEL, a nature tech solution for peaceful coexistence.
Marisa holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science and Agriculture from Sao Paulo State University, Brazil. Her publications and research have significantly contributed to green exports policy development, ecosystem services, and conservation enterprise development. Committed to creating a brighter, more equitable future, Marisa stands with her communities during times of crisis and leads initiatives fostering resilience, sustainability, and economic growth.