To my fellow members,  

My FSC tale began in 2015. I was working with a Brazilian NGO, managing a wide array of projects including ecological restoration, forest carbon, and sustainable farming initiatives. My first experience was a members’ meeting in Belém, in the Amazonian State of Pará, and I was struck and fascinated by the diversity of people involved with the organization. In that space, representatives of companies, NGOs, unions, communities, indigenous peoples, universities and individuals sat side by side and each had a voice. And so, I sat amongst my peers, and I listened. 

Since that first meeting, I have attended all of the national members’ events and served two terms on the Brazilian Conflict Resolutions Committee. This experience has shown me the impact that FSC has on people´s wellbeing, as well as the frustration it generates when it fails. It has taught me when to trust the system and its governance and when to push for stronger accountability. Today, I sit on the Board of FSC Brazil representing not only the Environmental Chamber but all our members, building a constructive network of people from very different backgrounds and cultures to strengthen our organization.  

On an international level, I have also been an active member, attending two General Assemblies (Vancouver and Bali) and two regional Latin American members’ meetings (Cancun and Panama City), connecting with members and staff with great respect and admiration. I have also taken part in the Focus Forest Advisory Group, working closely with motions’ proposers and stakeholders from all over the world to find common ground on how to approach Intact Forest Landscapes. It has been an exciting learning process, one where I have also made a growing contribution to FSC, as I built capacity and gained clarity on the issues. And all the while, I never stopped listening.  

There are 1,200 members in FSC, from 94 different countries. That is an astounding cultural, racial, professional, experimental, and spiritual diversity that can bring creativity, resistance, and resilience to the system. Together, we can co-create multiple solution toolboxes, transform markets, and catalyze change and we need to tap into that potential. However, only 12 of us have a seat on the Board, so what can you expect from me if I am elected to the Environmental Chamber South chair?  

Dedication: I am a self-employed private consultant for impact projects in the private sector and non-profits, so I can allocate the necessary hours to dutifully represent your interests on the Board.  

Expertise: I am a biologist with a master’s degree in Ecology and Natural Resources, and a project manager with over 15 years of experience in multiple sectors, including forestry and restoration. 

Diligence: I am also an eternal scholar at heart and am eager to dive into the details and complexities that characterize our organization and the ecosystems we aim to protect. 

World view: I am Brazilian, but I have an international background, having grown up on different continents. I look forward to further engage with members and network partners from different countries, to gain their unique perspective on common challenges, solutions, and ways to move forward.  

Service: FSC needs to serve those who make a difference on the ground and the people who are protecting and restoring our forests, keeping our culture alive, changing the way we plant and harvest trees, and protecting our workers and making sure they return safely to their families at the end of day. I am here to serve you.  

Passion: I am a true enthusiast of what FSC represents and of its history, but most of all I can´t wait to help build what it is still to become.  

We have multiple challenges on our path as forest stewards. We must remain globally relevant and credible in a world with increasing scrutiny that demands transparency and accountability. We need to renew our member base, attract a new generation to our ranks and rekindle our relationship with our current members. We must clearly communicate our goals as a global organization, while recognizing our limitations. We should modernize our processes to improve efficiency while remaining inclusive of diverse voices with empathy and equity, tearing down models that perpetuate inequality in our world and in our network.  

Our standards are meant to improve lives by setting a high bar for the forestry sector worldwide, while distinguishing our certificate holders from those who conduct “business as usual” and continue to degrade our planet and communities. In the 2022 General Assembly, we have just raised that bar a little higher. Now comes the implementation of bold changes such as the new policy to address conversion and remedy framework, that need to deliver the intended environmental restoration and social restitution; an Ecosystem Services procedure that is more market-oriented to bring the much-needed financial benefits, while really contributing to global climate mitigation and adaptation; a landscape approach to IFLs that is suitable for boreal and tropical forests alike and recognizes the role responsible forest management has in protecting these ecosystems that are essential for our survival as a species. 

The stakes are high and we need leaders to pull us together, listen and act. I am all ears and here to serve, at your discretion.