Laura Gonzalez, Panama

Biography

Laura González's journey began in the Amazon, where she fell in love with sustainability while navigating its winding rivers. An economist by training, Laura transforms this passion into action across three continents as the Executive Director of Marea Verde. She battles plastic pollution in Panama's waterways, inspired daily by her children who innocently ask, "When will the bay finally be clean?" While much of Her career focus has been sustainability and natural capital, her heart remains with the communities and ecosystems she serves, creating ripples of change that extend far beyond shorelines.

Q. What personal experience has shaped or inspired your journey?

In 2011, I had the opportunity to work on the project “Amazonia Posible y Sostenible” as part of the expansion of the Chiribiquete National Natural Park. The project required a multidimensional analysis of the region, incorporating insights from over 10 experts. Topics ranged from education and legal frameworks to rural development.  This experience profoundly shaped my understanding of development, exposing me to the richness of the territory and the need to understand it through different lenses. It also gave me the opportunity to visit the Amazon, navigate many of its rivers, and fall in love with sustainability ultimately leading me to dedicate my career to this field. 
 

Q. Who is the influential figure who has inspired your actions, and what specifically about them has been motivating?

I have been fortunate to be influenced by many people along the way. At the beginning of my career, Professor Juan Camilo Cárdenas at Universidad de Los Andes taught me the importance of placing communities at the center of my work. He has dedicated years working on community economics in Pacific coastal communities and has done extensive work on mangroves.  

Juan Carlos Ramírez and Olga Lucía Acosta, my first mentors at UN ECLAC, who trusted me at the beginning of my career and gave me the opportunity to work in the Amazon. Their rigor and passion for social and sustainable development continue to inspire me to this day.  

Duko Hopman, whose ability to position the work on natural capital and the 30x30 goals within an industry like consulting has been remarkable. As part of his teams, I was able to support national governments on terrestrial and marine nature conservation strategies at the national and subnational level. 

Mirei Endara, the co-founder of Marea Verde, has dedicated her life to the environmental sector in Panama and, more specifically, Panama Bay, and has entrusted me with the leadership of the organization. Finally, my children inspired me to return to the non-profit sector. Every day, they motivate me by asking when Panama Bay will finally be clean and free of plastic. 
 

Q. In your conservation efforts for wetlands, what key challenges did you face and how has this experience fuelled your dedication to making a positive impact?

A key challenge in wetland conservation is the disconnect between people – especially decision-makers – and these ecosystems. As Baba Dioum said, “We only conserve what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.”  In the environmental sector we are all aware of the benefits and importance of wetlands as strategic ecosystems, however, many people, including decision-makers in the private and public sectors, often do not know these ecosystems, have not been in contact with them, do not love them, and therefore do not value them. 

The benefits of conservation are often intangible and long-term, while consumption decisions bring immediate consequences and rewards in the short term. It is imperative to take the conversation beyond the facts, to bring ourselves and others closer to nature in order to value it.  
 

Q. As a woman who has made significant strides, where can you say investment is required to accelerate progress and empower women’s actions for wetlands?

The role of women in conservation is undeniable. However, these women are often not only leading these movements, which require courage, perseverance, and dedication, but also bear the responsibility of caring for their homes, children, parents, and sick relatives. Women need care networks, policies that provide flexibility, and access to quality childcare. Many women leaders lack some or even all of these conditions. We ask them to continue fighting for and protecting ecosystems, even when they don’t have the tools to take care of themselves. It is essential to invest in highlighting the connection between the care economy and environmental care.