Who we are

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Ana Paula has a degree in Business Administration from UFRRJ. She has worked in the third sector since 2014 in the area of operations, where she found herself professionally. She joined the Igarapé Institute in 2016 and since then has worked hard to develop her skills in the area. She currently works as an Administrative and HR Analyst at the Igarapé Institute.

André Guttierrez has always shown a creative profile, dedicating himself to illustration from an early age, an area he has studied and explored throughout his life. With a degree in Design, he joined the Igarapé Institute as an intern in 2022, beginning his professional career as a designer and seeking to expand his horizons in order to consolidate himself in the market. Since then, he has contributed to various projects and today, as a Junior Designer, he continues to strive to evolve, always open to new challenges and learning opportunities.

Antonella Di Ciano holds a bachelor's degree in International Studies from the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), where she graduated with an academic record of SUMMA CUM LAUDE, and a master's degree in Anti-Corruption Policies from the University of Salamanca in Spain. With more than six years' experience in project management, gender equality and conflict resolution, she worked as a Regional Program Officer at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), in the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), coordinating the monitoring, evaluation and management of projects related to illicit economies and corruption in Venezuela, Peru, Panama, Ecuador and Colombia. She is currently a Fulbright scholar studying for a master's degree in International Development at Duke University (USA). At Igarapé, she is the Regional Coordinator.

Bernardo Lima is an administrator with a degree from PUC-MG and specializations in Business Management (FGV) and Corporate Finance (UFMG). With 17 years' experience in managing research, development and innovation projects, he dedicated 15 of them to the UFMG Research Support Foundation (Fundep), where he started as a junior project analyst and worked his way up to coordinator of project management teams at UFMG itself and other supported Scientific and Technological Innovation Institutions (ICTs). Since July 2022, he has been the PMO of the Igarapé Institute.

Carla Nascimento is a journalist and holds a master's degree in Communication from PUC-Rio, having specialized in public policies to combat gender violence at FLACSO. As a reporter in major newsrooms in Rio de Janeiro, she dedicated herself to producing multimedia content and stories on human rights, especially in the area of gender. She also worked as a press officer and parliamentary communications coordinator in the Chamber of Deputies, before starting her journey in the third sector.

Débora Vasconcelos is an experienced editor, journalist and translator with a long career in the communications sector - both in online and offline media. She has worked for some of the largest publishing and journalistic groups in Brazil. She has a degree in Journalism from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and a degree in Translation from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). At the Igarapé Institute, she works as an editor.

Etyenne Araujo has worked in the third sector since 2010 in the areas of finance, administration, human resources and accountability for projects in NGOs with philanthropic activities for children, adolescents and the elderly, as well as sports and educational projects in various states of Brazil.

Fernanda Harumi has a master's degree in Sociology from the University of Bristol (UK) and a degree in Social Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She specializes in applied research and has experience in the third sector, the private sector and academia. She has worked at Latin American Women's Aid (LAWA) with projects focused on gender, housing and immigration; at USP's Center for the Study of Violence (NEV-USP), investigating legal socialization processes; and at Kantar Ibope Media, in public opinion research. She is currently a researcher at the Igarapé Institute, where she develops projects in the areas of public safety and climate, contributing to integrated and transformative solutions to global challenges.

Giovanna Franklin is a lawyer with a degree from PUC-Rio, a post-graduate degree in Corporate Law and Economics from Université Paris II - Panthéon-Assas (DSU Droit des Affaires et Économie), and an MBE in Social Responsibility and the Third Sector from UFRJ's Institute of Economics. After more than a decade working in corporate law, she redirected her career to the field of social impact. She has worked at Parceiros da Educação in Rio de Janeiro and at the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Department of Education, accumulating extensive experience in intersectoral collaboration, articulation and fundraising. At the Igarapé Institute, she is the Institutional Development Manager.

Dr. Giovanna Kuele is Program Advisor for International Cooperation at the Igarapé Institute. The program aims to promote a more inclusive and effective multilateralism, with a focus on UN and IFI reforms, as well as sustainable financing for climate, nature and development. In this role, it has supported activities related to the UN High-Level Advisory Panel on Effective Multilateralism and the WEF Global Future Council on the Future of Nature and Security. Among its contributions is the coordination of civil society consultations for the Our Common Agenda process, supporting the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General. Giovanna holds a PhD in Political Science from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (2024) and a MA (2017) and BA (2014) in International Relations from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).

João Gabriel Caetano Leite is a master's student in Political Science at IESP-UERJ and an economist at PUC-Rio. He has experience in some of the country's leading consultancies, such as LCA Consultores, InterB Consultoria Internacional and LOGIT Engenharia, working on projects to implement and design public policies in the physical and social infrastructure sectors. He has also worked for multilateral organizations, such as the IFC-World Bank, as well as electoral research institutes and think tanks, such as the Brazilian Center for International Relations. In the academic field, he has taught and monitored courses at PUC-Rio, FGV-SP and UERJ, as well as being a research assistant on national and international projects. His work focuses on quantitative research methods, with an emphasis on causal inference, spatial econometrics and time series. His areas of expertise include political economy and political behavior, with an emphasis on authoritarianism, democratic erosion, economic history, criminal governance, violence, state capacity and public policy impact assessment. At the Igarapé Institute, he works as a Researcher in the Security, Climate and Nature programs.

Joelma Ferreira has a degree in Business Administration. From 2004 to 2013, she worked in the financial administration area of the NGO Viva Rio, where she was directly involved in initiatives such as the Disarmament Campaign and the Referendum to ban the sale of arms to civilians in Brazil. Since 2013, she has been the Treasurer of the Igarapé Institute, supporting the organization's financial and administrative management.

Julia Melaragno Assumpção is a lawyer who graduated from PUC-SP and did an academic exchange at Sciences Po Paris. She has a postgraduate degree in Political Science from FESPSP, is a conflict mediator at Palas Athena and is currently studying for an MBA in Economics and Management at FGV. An advocacy professional, she has 8 years' experience in the field, having worked for political consultancies, B corporations, the public sector, the private sector and law firms. She has multidisciplinary experience in topics such as sustainability, energy transition, diversity, personal data, criminal justice and human rights. At the Igarapé Institute, she is the Institutional Relations and Advocacy Manager.

Katherine Aguirre is an economist with experience in the areas of violence and development. She has worked in think tanks in Colombia (Conflict Analysis Resource Center - CERAC) and Switzerland (Small Arms Survey). She holds a master's degree from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (Geneva, Switzerland). Her research work emphasizes empirical methods to provide solid and factual bases to guide decision-makers in implementing effective measures in the fields of violence reduction and development. In addition, she coordinates the Dotec-Colombia project, which centralizes and disseminates studies on economics in Colombia, and leads the Mujeres en Seguridad y Defensa en Latinoamérica y el Caribe network. Her research focuses on citizen security in Latin America, violence analysis (innovative data processing and representation), violence prevention and reduction, and post-conflict violence. At the Igarapé Institute, she works as a Researcher.

Lucas Guimarães Alves has a bachelor's degree in Human Sciences with an emphasis on Public Policy from the Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), where he took part in an economic evaluation project and formulated strategies for regional development in the Jequitinhonha Valley. He has experience and interest in the areas of public security, drug policy and economic data analysis in Brazil. He began his career at the Igarapé Institute as an intern, providing support to the Data and Technology area. He currently works as a Research Assistant, focusing on collecting, processing and analyzing information.

Maria Eduarda Pessoa de Assis is a lawyer with multidisciplinary and multilevel work - from local to global - in the areas of advocacy, public policy, institutional relations and project coordination, with a focus on sustainable development and the intersection between climate, nature and finance. She is currently the legal and institutional relations coordinator for the Green Bridge Facility, an initiative aimed at unlocking responsible investments and scaling green businesses in Brazil and the Amazon Basin. She also supports Igarapé's co-founder and president, Ilona Szabó, in strategic initiatives for the development of innovative financial instruments for nature, such as the International Advisory Panel for Biodiversity Credits (IAPB) and the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Natural Capital. Maria Eduarda also worked in the Institute's International Cooperation Program, helping to connect multilateral processes and advance global agendas such as the financing of tropical forests and the synergies between climate and biodiversity. Previously, as a legal advisor, she led and supported initiatives aimed at protecting civic space, tackling disinformation and controlling arms and ammunition in Brazil, through applied research, advocacy, strategic litigation and technical advice on public policy, regulatory and legislative issues. He holds an LL.M. from New York University School of Law (NYU), where he received the Arthur T. Vanderbilt Full Scholarship. She also holds a master's degree in Public Policy in Human Rights from UFRJ (NEPP-DH), a postgraduate degree in Criminal Advocacy from CEPED/UERJ and a bachelor's degree in Law from UERJ.

Maria Eugenia Trombini has 10 years' experience in formulating and implementing public policies at international, regional and national level. International: she has worked for UN agencies (Habitat and FAO) and special procedures. Regional: she worked at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). National: she was an advisor to the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the National Cities Council. She is a lawyer and social scientist, with a master's degree in Political Science, and the author of several articles and book chapters. Her doctoral thesis, defended at the University of Heidelberg, was awarded the Gerhard-Ott Preis Prize. Before joining Igarapé in July 2023, in the research area, she coordinated multilateral projects involving Germany and Latin America, advised social movements and traditional communities on strategic litigation and acted as a consultant for the public and private sectors on issues of land management, violence against human rights defenders, food security and geopolitical risks. At the Igarapé Institute, she works as Research Coordinator.

Ricardo Caldas is a doctoral candidate in Sociology at UFPE, where he also obtained his master's and undergraduate degrees in Social Sciences. From 2022 to 2023, he was a visiting researcher at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) at Carleton University in Canada. Previously, he was a consultant for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and a data analyst for the Fogo Cruzado platform. He has also worked as a senior researcher and data analyst at the Center for Studies and Research on Crime, Violence and Public Policies (NEPS) and as a researcher at the Institute for Health Policy Studies (IEPS). He is currently a policy advisor and researcher at the Igarapé Institute. His areas of specialization and interest include criminal governance, social research methods, public policies for citizen security, the illicit drug market, prisons and violence prevention.

Marina Alkmim has a doctorate and a master's degree in International Politics from PUC-Rio and a bachelor's degree in International Relations from UFRJ, with a Summa Cum Laude academic record. In previous experiences, she was a research assistant at the UNESCO/UNU Network and Chair on Global Economy and Sustainable Development (REGGEN), at the Geopolitics, World System and Regional Integration Research Center (IFCS-UFRJ) and at the Observatory of Contemporary Politics and Economics in Human Rights (IRID-UFRJ). He works mainly with qualitative research methods, with an emphasis on documentary research, cross-referencing and analyzing structured and unstructured data, as well as conducting in-depth interviews. Her areas of specialization and interest include the intersection between security, violence, crime and justice, with a focus on topics such as criminal, social and transitional justice, drug policy, the prison system, arms control and violence against women. At the Igarapé Institute, she works as a Senior Researcher in the Security, Climate and Nature programs.

Pedro Silva holds a bachelor's degree in Statistics from the State University of Paraíba (UEPB), where he gained solid experience in data modeling and analysis. In 2019, he served as CEO of the junior company Open Data Analysis Jr, leading teams and managing consulting projects that offered strategic solutions for companies through data analysis. Since 2021, he has held the position of Data Scientist at the Igarapé Institute, applying advanced data structuring, analysis and modeling techniques to generate strategic insights and innovative solutions, with an emphasis on models applied to machine learning.

Peter Smith has experience in monitoring and evaluating public interest programs, as well as advising non-profit organizations on the use of cloud technologies to track results and optimize operations. At the Igarapé Institute, he contributes to projects and digital platforms aimed at municipalities in the Brazilian Amazon, the bioeconomy, strategic minerals and other areas. He holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Princeton University and a master's degree in Sociology from the University of São Paulo (USP).

Raphael Durão has a bachelor's degree in Social Communication and a master's degree in Environmental Education. He has been managing creative projects with third sector organizations for 15 years. As a designer, he specializes in UX design, branding and corporate design. He is a creative partner in the Storm Design studio, where he has managed and developed projects with the Banco do Brasil Foundation, the United Nations Organization, the Brazilian Navy and the State Environmental Institute - RJ. At the Igarapé Institute, he has been Creative Coordinator since 2013.

Raquel Miranda has a degree in Tourism with a specialization in Hospitality and Events from Faculdade da Cidade. She found her vocation in secretarial work, a field in which she has worked since 2000 as an Executive Assistant in federal, private and multinational institutions, providing support to different levels of leadership, from managers to presidents. She is currently a member of the Igarapé Institute team as Executive Assistant.

Sofia Euthymiou has experience in project and risk management, sustainability, decarbonization, renewable energies, technology, finance and strategy, acquired in global organizations such as Shell and the World Energy Council. Her background includes Mechanical and Energy Engineering (UFRJ and RWTH Aachen), Advanced Risk Management (Cranfield), Intelligent and Integrated Systems (TU Delft) and Business Management (USP). He works at the Igarapé Institute as PMO of the Green Bridge Facility (GBF).

Talisson Mendes is a Social Scientist with a degree in Anthropology from the University of Brasília (UnB). He works as Projects and Partnerships Assistant at the Igarapé Institute. Previously, he worked as an intern in the Political and Projects sector of the UK Embassy in Brasilia and in the General Coordination of Privileges and Immunities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vinicius Santos holds a PhD in Political Science from UFMG and has worked as a visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge and the University of Buenos Aires. He is currently doing a post-doctoral internship at PPGRI-UERJ, where he is researching the role of the Brazilian legislature in foreign policy. He works at the intersection of executive-legislative relations and technology, with a focus on computational methods and complex systems analysis. With over a decade of experience in the public, private and third sectors, he develops Civic Tech and GovTech solutions. At the Federal Senate, he worked as a data scientist and parliamentary advisor, contributing with analysis and technical notes on artificial intelligence regulation. He is the creator of an ecosystem of R packages for accessing and analyzing legislative data, such as senatebR, senateaR and parlasuR, aimed at the senates of Brazil, the Southern Cone and Mexico. These tools promote transparency, interoperability and the strengthening of evidence-based democracy, connecting different spheres and countries through civic technology.

Vitória Lorente is a political scientist and works as a researcher focusing on money laundering from environmental crime at the Igarapé Institute. She has more than 10 years' experience in projects related to the fight against corruption and money laundering, having worked as a technician for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as an investigations consultant at Kroll Associates - providing services to public and private organizations in various countries - and as a researcher at the NGO Transparência Brasil. She holds a master's degree in Political Science from the University of São Paulo (USP), with a dissertation on anti-money laundering policies in Brazilian registry offices. She also has a postgraduate degree in Public Management and Controllership from FECAP and a bachelor's degree in International Relations from PUC-SP, where she was awarded a scientific initiation scholarship (PIBIC-CEPE) in the area of Political Science.

Vivian Calderoni is a lawyer with a Master's and PhD in Criminal Law and Criminology from USP. She is currently Program Manager at the Igarapé Institute. She was deputy coordinator of the Dialogue-University-Career-Community Group (GDUCC) at USP's Faculty of Law (2010 to 2020). She is the author of books, articles and chapters in her field. Her areas of specialization and interest include: Environmental crimes in the Amazon Money laundering from environmental crime Criminal law Public policy Criminal justice Prison system and social reintegration Violence against women Human rights She has worked as a researcher at USP's Center for the Study of Violence (NEV/USP), as a project advisor at Conectas Human Rights and as a project coordinator at the Institute for the Defense of the Right to Defense (IDDD).

Wilker França is a Systems Analyst and Systems Analysis and Development student at Unyleya. With more than 5 years' experience in the technology sector, he began his professional career in 2018, but his passion for the area dates back to his teenage years, when he took his first steps into the world of IT. Throughout his career, he has developed front-end and back-end skills, mastering technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, React Native, Next.js, Node.js and Python, as well as experience with databases such as MySQL and MongoDB. He currently works as a front-end developer at the Igarapé Institute, contributing to the creation of innovative and impactful technological solutions. With a profile focused on continuous learning, he seeks to combine technical performance with high-quality digital experiences, helping companies achieve their goals through efficient and scalable interfaces.