I am a passionate and integrity-driven advisor, with more than 25 years of worldwide experience in voice, accountability, gender and social change. I've had the honor of working in +80 countries, leading multi cultural teams and providing global and tailored country advice and support to a wide range of International Organizations, bilateral donors, local governments, philanthropy institutions, International NGOs, community groups and the private sector.
Some of the key initiatives in which I have been involved include:
Between 2009 and 2011, I led the team providing support to the EU throughout the most ambitious process of dialogue launched so far, known as the Structured Dialogue, involving more than 700 CSOs and Local authorities worldwide.
Between 2011 and 2014, I led the team setting up the Policy Forum on Development, a permanent space for dialogue between the EU and CSOs and LAs and which still remains the key forum for the EU.
In 2012 I assisted the EU in the drafting of the new Policy framework (the so called 2012 Communication) and was in charge of the consultation involving more than 300 CSOs worldwide.
Between 2014 and 2021, I led the Roadmap Facility which provides support to the EU in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of their country strategies for engagement with CSOs. We assisted more than 70 countries and coordinated more than 40 experts. I am now acting Head of the Quality support team for this facility and other projects.
I have also authored several of the key reference documents by the EU and other donors about engagement with CSOs (i.e. on mappings; mainstreaming CS engagement; shift to Structured Dialogue).
I am multilingual and fully conversant with facilitation techniques, have been a lecturer & keynote speaker at a number of universities and public fora and have published several books, articles and manuals on civil society, decentralized cooperation and M&E. I am also a partner at PHARE Territorios Globales and a qualified Citizen engagement expert at the UNDP Democratic Governance roster.
Last but not least am also the co-founder of Kmana, a purpose-driven creative studio (BCorp applicant and 2021 ASEAN WISE fellow) which blends European design with heritage craftsmanship, a mother of teenager teens, certified yoga and meditation teacher and a horse lover. Above all, I am a believer in kindness, and in a future that is more female. My personal mantra is that we all (especially those of us who are privileged enough) have the responsibility to shake the world in a gentle way. With kindness.