Giovana S.

I have been involved in programme/projects’ design/implementation related to social development work for over 25 years. As an urban/regional planner with a Master’s in Environmental Design – International Urban Development (Physical+Social+Institutional), I have specialised in a broad and integrated approach to social development which combines spatial planning, housing and resettlement; social inclusion and gender equality of the poor, vulnerable and excluded groups; institutional capacity; and environmental sustainability adopting community-driven development approaches with special interest in participation, empowerment and capacity building for safe, healthy, prosperous and resilient living. I was born in Brazil and have worked in developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East for clients including the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), GIZ, DANIDA, UNDP, CIDA, local governments, private sector/corporations, I/NGOs and CBOs. I have participated as project manager, coordinator and technical expert in numerous complex, multi-disciplinary development programmes and projects in cross-cultural situations contributing innovative solutions considering the bigger and smaller picture contexts for effective developmental actions. I am a dynamic “people person”, self-motivated, creative problem-solving, passionate and innovative professional with analytical skills; a thinker and a doer; a team player with strong understanding of the importance of integrating policies, institutions and operations. I am particularly concerned with the spatial and social well-being of women, children and other vulnerable groups as they are the most impacted by settlement planning including in disaster response situations. I have worked in-situ in over 25 countries. I hold dual citizenship, Canadian and Brazilian, and am fluent in English and Portuguese, with a working knowledge of Spanish.