Maria Contreras, MSc.

Maria Contreras, MSc. has a diverse and extensive work experience in the fields of sustainability, energy, and environmental management. Maria has held various roles in different organizations, showcasing their skills in program management, project coordination, business development, and research. Maria has a proven track record of effectively implementing energy and sustainability programs aligned with clients' business strategies, with a focus on decarbonization. Maria has also demonstrated their ability to draft proposals, prepare contracts, and obtain buy-in from clients' executives and boards. In addition, Maria has experience in community outreach, team building, and publication. Their previous roles have involved collaborating with marketing agencies, conducting research, and assisting in the launch of projects. Maria has a strong background in environmental customer service and has managed high-profile client accounts, ensuring timely and accurate analysis and reporting. Maria is skilled in multi-stakeholder management and coordination and has provided expert advice on environmental regulatory criteria. Maria has been involved in freelance project management, where they led efforts to reduce environmental impacts and managed various phases of projects. As an environmental consultant, they developed waste management programs and assisted companies with their environmental and social impact assessments. Maria also has experience in research and conducted interviews and data analysis to identify and propose solutions to food waste issues. Maria has conducted comprehensive studies on topics such as bird strike hazards and territorial management. Throughout their career, Maria has consistently demonstrated their commitment to sustainability and their ability to drive positive change in various sectors.

Maria Contreras, MSc. began their educational journey at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, where they pursued a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) degree in Ecology from 2000 to 2006. Maria then went on to Kingston University from 2008 to 2009, where they obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Sustainable Environmental Development and Management studies. In 2021, Maria enrolled in an Executive Education Program at the Cambridge Judge Business School, focusing on Circular Economy & Sustainability Strategies.