Meet the Team

Claire has recently returned to the Netherlands and to CARE. For the last 4 years, she was based in Kampala, Uganda, where she worked as Country Director for ZOA International, overseeing a team working across land rights, livelihoods, climate resilience, and education programming in northern and refugee-hosting districts. Claire has worked in international humanitarian and development roles for the last 15 years, including implementing food security, cash and livelihoods projects, and in a number of HQ and management roles. She previously worked for CARE Nederland in the humanitarian team supporting the Yemen Joint Response and acute crisis response under the Dutch Relief Alliance (2018-2020). Her background is in sustainability and agroecology; her first roles were in the UK sustainable and food and farming sector, so the Climate Justice Center brings together Claire’s key interests, convictions and areas of experience. She is looking forward to work with the team and across CARE, to help progress climate justice and impact.

Diana leads and coordinates the work of CARE’s Climate and Resilience Academy. The academy gives development practitioners in and outside CARE the opportunity to grow as a professional and promote climate justice globally. She is passionate about contributing to a peaceful and inclusive society through providing educational opportunities and broadening perspectives. She holds an MSc in Pedagogical Sciences and an MSc in International Development Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam. She has more than 10 years of experience working in international education. In her early career, she supported the global network of childlines through Child Helpline International.

Thuy-Binh is a Climate Adaptation Specialist. At CARE she is responsible for providing technical support for global and regional initiatives and partnerships in Climate Justice, strengthening the capacity of country offices and partner organizations in the area of climate change and resilience, as well as facilitating knowledge management and learning in this area. She has two complementary Masters in International Public Policy and Environment Management in the UK and New Zealand. She has more than 12 years experience in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation with the Red Cross, Red Crescent Movement and Save the Children. Before joining the CARE Climate Justice Centre, she led the Climate Change programme at the French Red Cross with interventions in Africa, Middle East, Caribbean and Pacific.

Marlene is responsible for coordinating CARE’S Global advocacy and policy work and working with country offices on climate-related programs and advocacy. As a development practitioner and researcher Marlene has over 8 years’ experience in climate change adaptation, policy analysis, advocacy, and program management. Marlene has a passion for working with communities to lead, develop, and implement gender transformative programs. She believes in people-centered approaches that build local knowledge, drive self-growth, and enhance empowerment. Marlene holds an MSc in environmental law and policy and has a keen interest in climate finance including the Green Climate Fund.

Robert is responsible for leading and coordinating the CARE confederation’s Climate Justice Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) efforts and ensuring accountability with regard to CARE’s Climate Justice policies and strategy.

Robert brings with him hands-on expertise in designing, implementing, and maintaining a robust MEAL system. Prior to joining the CARE Climate Justice Centre, he served as the MEAL Advisor for Climate Justice Programs and the M&E Specialist for Women Empowerment in Natural Resources Governance Program at CARE International in Uganda. He also worked as M&E Specialist, Child Sponsorship & Development Facilitator, and Sponsorship Data Assistant at World Vision Uganda. Before joining World Vision in 2017, he was at Plan International.

Ibtihelle is an Energy engineer professional, who started to work in energy design and management in France. She then pursued an MSc in Humanitarian Engineering and Sustainability from the University of Warwick and has served as a Green Energy Engineer intern for UNDP in Denmark and later joined the Humanitarian sector as an Environment Climate and Gender officer at Islamic Relief (France). Additionally, she’s actively engaged in Youth Organizations and serves as an Ambassador for the EU Climate Pact with the European Commission.

Nadia holds a Msc in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation from Lund University (Sweden) and a MSc in International Development from Radboud University (the Netherlands). Before that, she worked as an intern at the Dutch embassy in Italy and at the European Union External Action Service in Mauritius. Nadia is responsible for the community management of the CARE Climate & Resilience Academy.

With a foundational background in Development Communication, Leigh has a solid track record in non-profit development and humanitarian work. She’s worked around the Philippines with an array of local and international organizations championing various advocacies such as women and youth empowerment, good governance, disaster risk reduction, and climate change. Previously, she worked under CARE Philippines, working with its Humanitarian Partnership Platform and supporting the Philippine Inclusive NGO Network (formerly Philippine International NGO Network). Leigh is in charge of communications and knowledge management support to the CJC team.

Monica is an experienced journalist, with 15+ years of experience in journalism, communication, and human rights. She has significant experience in reporting and coordination in media outlets and managerial positions within UN-led missions. She has a wide range of experience working with media, UN agencies, NGOs, and research institutes. She can speak 5 languages including Italian, English, Spanish, French, and Russian. Together with the Global Policy Lead on Climate and Resilience, Monica will be supporting CARE in climate justice communication and advocacy efforts, helping the CJC extend outreach to other regions, countries, as well partners.

Farida grew up in Cairo, Egypt, where she spent most of her life. She studied in the USA and the UK, earning a bachelor’s degree in Design Management from ASU, as well as a Master’s in Building and Urban Design in Development from UCL. Over the past 12 years, Farida has worked in various roles within the urban planning and community development disciplines, until she later found her passion for climate resilience and socially-just development.

For the past eight years, she has been working with GIZ Egypt, focusing on climate resilience, participatory urban development, urban management, and community-based adaptation, working closely with local and national governmental partners, as well as community-based organizations. 

Maiike has expertise in landscape-level strategies that integrate climate action with environmental, economic, and social benefits. Originally from the Netherlands, she has a diverse international work background, having spent the past four years in Melbourne, where she worked as a Portfolio Manager designing and implementing projects in nature-based solutions for the private sector to generate carbon credits in the Asia-Pacific region. These projects focused on delivering co-benefits such as social inclusion, gender equality, and livelihood improvements, alongside significant environmental outcomes. Before that, she worked with several NGOs in the Middle East, focusing on program management.

Maaike is passionate about nature, hiking, biodiversity, and animals—although, due to the cozy size of her Amsterdam apartment, she currently shares it with just her husband and their very laid-back turtle.

Victoria, a purpose-driven program manager at CARE Nederland, holds dual Master’s degrees in Global Environmental Governance, Sustainability, Climate Change, and in International Development. With extensive experience in international organizations across Europe, the USA, and Latin America, she is passionate about community engagement and advancing equal participation.

As the Carbon Finance Focal Point for the CARE Climate Justice Center, Victoria spearheads CARE’s initiatives in carbon finance by collaborating closely with colleagues across the confederation. She works to ensure that CARE’s carbon finance strategies align with global standards and benefit communities worldwide.