PBI Strengthens Governance and Strategic Support
PBI is delighted to announce that Maria-Krystyna Duval, CEO of the Carbon Technology Research Foundation (CTRF), has joined our Ambassadors Network, and we have several exciting newcomers to our Advisory Board.
The CTRF identifies and funds research into ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere based on natural systems, to prevent catastrophic global warming. Maria is passionate about combating climate change and is driven by a desire to protect the world’s most vulnerable people from its impacts, aligning with PBI’s own support for grassroots activists on the frontline of environmental protection around the world.
Maria has over 20 years’ experience in legal practice and economic policy and her career has taken her around the world, from Asia-Pacific to North America to Europe. Prior to joining CTRF, she was Chief Programmes and Impact Officer at ClientEarth, an international non-profit using the law to protect people and the planet.
PBI’s Ambassadors Network is co-ordinated by Stephen Cragg KC. Fellow Ambassadors include Sir Nicolas Bratza, Lord Carnwath, Julie Christie, John Dew, Professor Jeffrey Jowell KC, Helena Kennedy KC (Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws), Sir Peter Roth and Lord Scott of Foscote.
Stephen said: "I am delighted to welcome Maria to PBI's Ambassadors Network. Her expertise in the field of climate change and her passion for supporting those most vulnerable to its effects are a valuable addition to PBI, particularly in relation to its work protecting environmental activists on the frontline of the climate crisis."
Joining PBI’s Advisory Board are:
Bruna Martins Rodrigues. Bruna brings extensive experience in strategic communications, digital transformation, and stakeholder engagement. She has managed partnerships with major technology platforms and directed multicultural teams across product development and marketing and strategic planning for AI transformation.
Walter Nyabadza. Walter is a Zimbabwean human rights lawyer with over 15 years of legal practice experience. In Zimbabwe, he defended human rights under repressive laws and was granted EU protection in 2019. A former PBI Advocacy and Legal Officer, Walter is currently developing a global support hub for exiled human rights defenders.
Florence Vane. Florence is a human rights and environmental policy specialist with extensive experience in government and international forums at the FCDO and Defra. She is dedicated to using her government experience to support effective advocacy strategies that connect grassroots activism with law and policymaking at the institutional level.
Christina Challis, PBI UK’s Advocacy Manager, said: “Bruna, Walter and Florence are exceptional additions to our Advisory Board. They bring a breadth and depth of experience - from strategic communications to human rights law to government and policy - that will inform and strengthen PBI’s advocacy and protection of human rights defenders.”
