Mariana Martins on Her New Sustainability Role at Sucafina Brazil

What is your background?

As an undergraduate I started working in project management, fundraising and institutional relations with a focus on rural communities, and I've been in this area ever since. All told, I've spent 10 years managing and implementing socio-environmental projects. I've worked in a Fair Trade certified co-operative as a socio-environmental project coordinator and as a sustainability coordinator for a coffee multinational. I have also worked as a socio-environmental and gender equity consultant in various sectors, including non-profits, international organizations, coffee companies and cooperatives. I want to contribute a lot to Sucafina Brasil with my experience in project management to develop the continuous improvement focus of IMPACT for producers.

What do you hope to accomplish as the Sustainability Manager at Sucafina in Brasil?

I hope to contribute by strengthening the IMPACT program in Brazil and working on the strategic development of projects that will be implemented to address and impact the 5 IMPACT goals. I also hope to contribute to the professional development of the sustainability team in Brazil and build IMPACT actions for producers together. I believe that it's always good to contribute and exchange experiences because it's a way of learning and growing.

What projects are you currently involved in?

At the moment, I'm a little over 1.5 months into my time at Sucafina Brasil and I'm working on organizing and improving existing sustainability projects. I'm involved in a project with commercial partners in the Cerrado Mineiro region that aims to support 4 producers. The project will help them find ways to more efficiently use water and to implement good agricultural practices to help increase productivity and reduce costs.

What are you planning for the future?

I'm working with the sustainability team to develop strategies for new actions based on an analysis of data from the IMPACT program we’ve collected so far in Brazil. We’re going to use that data to envision and implement new projects that will positively impact producers. I'm also following up on the implementation of IMPACT in Brazil and the next steps for prospecting new producers.

What inspires you to do what you do?

People. Being with people and being able to be an agent of transformation to contribute to improving their lives, the environment and promoting a living income. It's my purpose and it drives me forward!

What’s something interesting about you that people don’t know?

I write poetry and the main source of inspiration is my state, Minas Gerais, and nature. I was previously a volunteer teacher at a preparatory course for university entrance exams that was aimed at young Black people from the favelas of Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais.

If you’re interested in buying Brazilian coffee and contributing to a project that supports coffee producers in your supply chain, Mariana is the person to know! Get in touch with your trader about how you can contribute to sustainability projects within your supply chain.