Allow us to introduce a new Senior Consultant in our team, Dr Daniela Medina Hidalgo! Dani brings over 14 years of experience working in international agricultural and environmental projects. We’re thrilled to welcome her into the fold, even if most of us are jealous of the Sunshine Coast sunrise photos she shares…
Read on to learn a bit more about Dani:
What drew you to Sustineo?
I first became familiar with Sustineo’s work when they interviewed me as a subject expert on Pacific food systems and climate change for one of their projects. I was looking for a role that would allow me to leverage my research skills along with my development and project management experience. I thrive on solving practical problems and collaborating within a team, and Sustineo offers me exactly that opportunity!
What do you hope to achieve during your time at Sustineo?
I am very passionate about continuing to build strong and meaningful partnerships and networks in the countries where Sustineo works. I would like to help connect research to policy and action on the ground. Coming from an academic and research background, it can be incredibly frustrating to see such a disconnect between knowledge and practice, and to witness investments in projects that do not lead to significant change.
What’s one big learning experience from your career so far?
We are more similar than we are different. My career has taken me to every continent (except Antarctica), and while I have had the opportunity to appreciate the richness of cultural diversity, I have come to realise that at the core of the human experience, we are more alike than we often think. I value leveraging these commonalities to build deeper connections with people and the environment.
Tell us something we don’t know about you!
When I was a kid, I was (mis)diagnosed with dyslexia because I turned letters and numbers into their mirror images. My parents decided to move me to a smaller school, and my “dyslexia” was miraculously cured in a couple of weeks and attributed to lack of attention. Ironically, I have never been officially diagnosed with ADHD, but I have been told (mostly by my partner) that I fit the diagnostic criteria to a T.
Outside of work, what are you passionate about?
A few years ago, I decided to enrol in a Bronze Medallion course to become a volunteer Surf Lifesaver at my local club in Mooloolaba. I have gone from casual ocean swimmer to Patrol Captain, starting and ending most of my days with some sort of beach training. I also support water safety duties for major events and help with the Starfish Nippers program, which teaches kids with disabilities surf safety skills.
What was the last book you read?
The last book I read was ‘Humankind: A Hopeful History’ by Rutger Bregman. The book explores the question of whether humans are fundamentally good and decent, drawing insights from different disciplines like history, anthropology, and biology. One of the standout stories used as an example is about a group of Tongan kids who were stranded on a remote island for several years, becoming the “real Lord of the Flies.”