Women Entrepreneurs' Perspectives on Brazil’s Nature-Based Green Transition

Background

As the world accelerates towards a greener future, women are playing a critical role in advancing nature-based solutions as entrepreneurs. However, they continue to face systemic barriers in accessing finance, technology, and leadership opportunities.

As the world prepares for COP30, it is essential to spotlight the work of women entrepreneurs who are harnessing nature to drive the green transition. To this end, SHE Changes Climate will host a webinar to provide a platform for women entrepreneurs to showcase their solutions, explore opportunities and challenges, and share recommendations for their meaningful participation in the transition.

The webinar’s outcomes will also contribute to policy recommendations, highlighting how women entrepreneurs are leveraging nature-based solutions to drive the transition forward and what needs to be done to support more women and those in the transition to break existing systemic barriers. These insights will be particularly valuable ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

Objectives: This online seminar aims to:

• Highlight women's leadership in driving nature-based solutions in Brazil.
• Identify the key challenges faced by women in the transition.
• Explore practical strategies and policy solutions to overcome barriers and enhance women's leadership in the transition.
• Discuss the critical role of women as solution providers in achieving climate goals and fostering community resilience.

Key Themes:

1. Women as Solution Providers: Highlighting success stories of women leaders who are spearheading nature-based solutions in diverse regions of Brazil.
2. Challenges and Opportunities: Addressing barriers such as gender inequalities, access to resources, and policy frameworks that affect women's leadership in the just transition.
3. Women Leadership: Examining effective leadership models and strategies employed by women in promoting Nature Based Solutions, community engagement, and advocacy.
4. Ahead of COP30: Discussing the significance of women's contributions to Brazil's climate agenda and their role in shaping global climate policies.

Speakers

• Keynote Speaker: Mamta Borgoyary, Executive Director of SHE Changes Climate

Panelists

• Fabrícia Sterce is an activist, artist, manager, and data journalist dedicated to advancing climate resilience and nature-based solutions. Born and raised in the São Simão favela, she holds a postgraduate degree from PUC-Rio with research focused on the Baixada Fluminense and is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in Knowledge Management at UFRJ. She has lead grassroots flood mapping and emergency response effort, directly supporting victims of climate disasters. As the founder and president of Visão Coop, she works on democratizing technology by introducing creative trends, strengthening narratives, and mobilizing artists and producers from marginalized communities. Her work on mangrove regeneration was featured in the Biomes Exchange program by Jornal O Eco, fostering knowledge-sharing between communicators from the Atlantic Forest and the Amazon. Currently, she is a leader at Regenera.AI, an accelerator for bioregeneration technologies in partnership with the UK Government, promoting innovative solutions to restore ecosystems and strengthen community resilience.

• Thais Corral is a social innovator and entrepreneur, women’s rights, and ecological activist. In her 35 years of experience working in the sustainability and equality agendas, she has led award winning projects that offer nature-based solutions for the restoring ecosystems and improving the quality of life for local communities. She was a co-founder of the global advocacy organization WEDO (Women, Environment and Development Organization) and actively participated in the organization of the Earth Summit in 1992. In 2006, WEDO was recognized as UN Champion of the Earth. Currently her focus is a place-based 400 acres platform named Instituto Sinal do Vale, which she also founded. Sinal do Vale promotes sustainable and regenerative business practices which are shared through entrepreneurship education programs and partnerships at a bioregion level. Thais has a master in public administration by the Havard Kennedy School of Government, she is a member of the World Future Council, Home for Humanity Network, BMW responsible leaders group and board member of Fundacion Futuro Latino Americano.

• Andrea Álvares is a leader in advancing nature-based solutions and the socio-bioeconomy in Brazil. As Board Chair of the Ethos Institute, she champions corporate responsibility and sustainability-driven business practices. She previously served for over six years as Chief Brand, Innovation, International, and Sustainability Officer for Natura&Co, where she played a pivotal role in integrating regenerative practices, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable supply chains into corporate strategy. Andrea currently leads an investment fund focused on the socio-bioeconomy in Brazil, supporting enterprises that leverage biodiversity-based solutions for climate resilience and economic empowerment for women. She has also contributed to global sustainability initiatives as a former board member of the Executive Committee of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. A founding member of Women of Brazil, Andrea is actively involved in female empowerment and leadership in the sustainability space. Her contributions have earned her recognition as one of Forbes; Most Influential Women in Brazil, an Advertising Age Woman to Watch, and one of Valor Econômico’s Top 10 Female Executives. She was also named one of GreenBiz's Badass Women in Climate Change for her leadership in regenerative business models and climate action.

Moderator:

• Katie Weintraub