Mariella de Souza-Baker

In a nutshell, tell us about yourself.

I grew up just outside of London in a creative, welcoming and focused family. I think it was growing up in an open-minded environment that led me to working in Communications which now, for the last decade, has allowed me to develop ways to empathise with various groups and speak their language. I am a committed student of the humanities, which offers a deeper interrogation of the human condition and having a profound love for creative expression offers a multitude of avenues to communicate issues of social and climate justice – something which underpins the ultimate mission of E Co.

What’s the best part of your job?

Deconstructing a range of subjects and making them more accessible to those seeking to take meaningful action for the climate and society; attending COP28 was an absolutely amazing highlight – being present to witness global agreements occur in real time was frankly, indescribable; working alongside our global team – it is a true pleasure to work and spend time with so many intelligent, passionate and diverse people.

What keeps you awake at night?

Decisions being taken in the world today which oppress and alienate on mass scales – there are better ways to work together; and continually reflecting on how to transform narratives around climate change ‘from a discourse on greenhouse gases and melting ice caps into a civil rights movement’.

What do you most admire?

Humility, peacefulness, taking the time to make equitable and nuanced decisions, the ones striving to meaningfully close the gap on global inequality, innovators and solutions-finders, the unassuming connectors of this world, the ones who make people feel heard, big imaginations, those who manage the social reproduction of societies, consistently compassionate leadership; closer to home, my families for each of their very different but equally dynamic approaches to life, all the while maintaining a lightness on earth. 

What makes you laugh?

Blackadder, forever! And subtle or unexpected irony – mostly from my daughter – she’s 10 steps ahead of all of us. Little children should lead us!

When are you happiest?

When I’m with my beautiful little family, deep in creative projects, dancing all night in pretty courtyards somewhere hot, learning how to do things better at SOAS.