Marcelo has more than 35 years of experience working in the area of socioeconomic development and implementation of sustainable corporate, governmental and non-governmental projects.
He is a medical doctor, former Brazilian olympic rowing athlete and expeditionary. During his expeditions, he had his first direct contact with environmental problems caused by non-sustainable development. It was through these experience that he developed the model for Pro Natura as an institution that combined economic growth with human development and quality of life.
In 1985, he founded Pro Natura in Brazil and, in 1992 in partnership with Guy Reinaud, they expanded the institution’s activities globally across the United States, Europe, South and Central America, Africa and Asia. His contributions to the field of socioeconomic development were highlighted in the book The True Visionaries of Our Times, by German journalist Martin Haeusler. Marcelo is also co-founder and partner of Earth Capital Partners, one of the world’s largest environmentally-focused investment funds, and served for several years as a member of BHP Billiton Forum for Corporate Responsibility, DuPont’s Worldwide Biotech Panel, Procter & Gamble’s Sustainability Council, etc.