Planeteer Alliance Regional Coordinator, Ecuador
Stephania Añazco Rivera (she/her) serves as the Planeteer Alliance Regional Coordinator of Ecuador. Prior to this position, Stephania served as a member of the Wisdom Council– Captain Planet Foundation’s official youth advisory council. She is an Oceanographic Engineer and environmental advocate dedicated to advancing climate justice, ocean conservation, and community-based adaptation in Latin America. She focuses on bridging science, policy, and public participation to ensure that the voices of youth and coastal communities are included in decision-making spaces addressing climate and environmental challenges. Stephania is currently pursuing her MSc in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), where she continues to expand her expertise in ocean and freshwater systems.
Stephania currently serves as Co-Chair of the ISO Environmental Management Youth Advisory Group, where she leads efforts to advance the implementation of environmental standards and promote their integration across diverse sectors to drive sustainable development. She is also a Youth Ambassador for the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), where she actively contributes to regional sustainability and youth dialogues. She has led multiple community projects—including Guayaquil Nativo and Mi Costa—focused on coastal management, ecosystem conservation, and citizen science, empowering local communities to become stewards of their coasts.
Stephania’s field experience includes coral restoration work with the Galápagos National Park and collaboration with indigenous coastal communities of Isla Puná on mangrove conservation and solid waste management. She holds recognition from ESPOL for outstanding community service and continues to use her voice to inspire equitable, science-based action for the ocean and climate.