Ecuadorian professional with experience in environmental conservation, climate change, and sustainable development. Maria studied Biology (PUCE, Ecuador) and has a master’s in development studies (Ohio University, US). In the field of social and environmental safeguards, she has worked for more than seven years in planning and implementation of activities, and provision of technical assistance on REDD+ safeguards, mostly in relation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change requirements, but also regarding other safeguards frameworks and standards. She currently works as Safeguards Programme Officer, in UNEP’s Climate Change Mitigation Unit, as part of UN-REDD Programme team.