Joana joined Maliasili in May 2021, as a new member of the Southern Africa team. She was born and raised in Mozambique, where, from a young age, she developed a passion for nature and the ocean. With a master’s in Conservation Biology, Joana worked for the last 7 years with marine conservation in Mozambique and Tanzania. After running a Conservation and Community project in Northern Mozambique, she spent the last two years as the Executive Director of Sea Sense, a Tanzanian organization working with coastal communities and marine wildlife.

Joana joins the Maliasili team to help grow the Southern Africa Portfolio, particularly in Angola and Mozambique. Having led small conservation organizations herself, Joana will use this experience to support the growth and development of partner organizations. Whether surfing, sailing, or diving, Joana spends as much time as she can in the ocean. When on land, she enjoys practicing and teaching yoga, as well as spending time with friends and her dog.