Maria is an experienced development professional with over 12 years’ experience in the trade and transport sectors and skilled in programme and project management. Maria is passionate about promoting sustainable development and her experience has centered around enhancing environmental and social sustainability in development programmes.

Prior to joining FSD Africa, Maria worked with TradeMark Africa (formerly TradeMark East Africa) where she provided overall oversight, management and integration of critical activities spanning climate change, environment and social safeguards, and project risk in TMAs programmes. Within the transport sector, she has also worked with Rift Valley Railways in managing the delivery of various CAPEX rail operations projects to promote a shift to use of cleaner rail transport. She has significant experience working collaboratively with both the private and public sector in Africa in the implementation of critical trade and climate change programmes.

She holds an MSC. in Process Business Management from the University of Warwick and BEng degree in Chemical Engineering and Business Management from the University of Birmingham. She is also certified in Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Audit from the Africa Nazarene University. In her free time, Maria enjoys travelling and exploring nature, reading great books and spending time with family and friends.