ALEJANDRA LEAL
Skills & Experience
MY STORY
I've worked on projects at the interface between sustainability, environment and governance– creating enthusiasm, shaping networks and welcoming for new adventures.
Throughout my career, I have strengthened different groups formed by scientists, government agents, decision-makers, students and activist focused on sustainability, environment and water matters since my interdisciplinary background and mediator nature, have driven me to speak the language of diverse sectors, and develop an out-of-the-box mindset.
Recently, I have dedicated my work on topics regarding water governance, policymaking and implementation, project management, territorial and spatial planning, and environmental education.
I am looking forward to using my strengths while continue learning, to contribute to a sustainable world.
"One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing, is what we do for others"
Lewis Carroll
PAST EXPERIENCE
Past Roles
PROJECT ASSISTANT (INTERN) - NETHERLANDS ENTERPRISE AGENCY (RVO)
June 2019 - January 2020
I was part of the team who implements the International Water Ambition (IWA) in Mexico, through a financial mechanism called Partners voor Water (PvW). I helped with the organization of the track, made contributions to understand better the local context, as well as worked as an interpreter between the Dutch and Mexican parties, in the two projects that have been developed in regards to Integrated Water Resource Management in Oaxaca; and Integrated Coastal Zone Development in Quintana Roo.
Achievements
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Authored research regarding bottlenecks faced during implementation of water-related projects, published as practitioners’ recommendations and scientific investigation.
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Informed the implementation of water-related projects for Sargassum management in international cooperation, which resulted in contracts and formal agreements with private companies and government agencies in Mexico and The Netherlands
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Influenced funding strategies, including tendering processes and partnerships development for water projects, worth more than 100,000 €
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PROJECT MANAGER - MUNICIPAL INSTITUTE OF PLANNING
April 2016 - September 2018
Management of an interdisciplinary team 1) to generate a system of indicators of each micro basin in the municipality, 2) to manage activities with different stakeholders in order to participate in a Regional Lake Basin (the second largest lake in Mexico) 3) to develop a water quality participatory analysis in the basin of one of the most important urban rivers in Morelia (Chiquito River), 4) to elaborate the technical study to characterize an urban river of great environmental relevance, 5) to create the Master Plan for Integral Management of the Watershed,
Achievements
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Headed development and execution of project proposals to stop direct wastewater discharges into urban rivers, which lead to the first municipal River Basin Management Program
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Improved the use of public budget effectively and efficiently by creating innovative projects which served two-fold purposes, collecting water quality data while involving more than 50 citizens and organizations
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Partnered with international and national organizations: GIZ to support climate protection policies, UNAM for river basin management and data generation, and UBC for planning and implementing projects for river restoration
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PROJECT FACILITATOR - SOCIOECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH NETWORK
August 2015 - December 2015
Planning and realization of workshops of 15 scientists aimed at producing a scientific paper on the impacts of climate change on the nutrient cycles in Mexico. Facilitating meetings among specialist from diverse disciplines in order to get projects done.
Facilitation of transdisciplinary dialogues among 85 local organizations of farmers and members of the civil society with a strong background in collective action towards sustainability.
Achievements
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Coordinated meetings and design workshops in cross-functional teams for 290 experts to develop transdisciplinary projects
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Enhanced capacity development among practitioners for including socio-ecological systems approach to their project management strategies
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Guided a group of 15 scientists to assess the impacts of climate change on biogeochemical cycles.
TEACHER ASSISTANT - NATIONAL AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF MEXICO
August 2014 - July 2015
Planning of the courses and activities for bachelor students. Lectures to more than 25 students in environmental sciences.
Advisory expert in fieldwork focused on local environmental knowledge in the state Michoacán.
Achievements
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Mentored students during their interdisciplinary fieldwork research so they could use specific tools to contribute in solving local environmental problems
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Designed and planned three courses linked to socio-ecological systems and research methodologies at the department of Environmental Sciences for more than 30 students
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Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data with an interdisciplinary approach so insights regarding water scarcity were generated to contribute to solving local environmental problems
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
My Studies
October 2018 - April 2020
MSC. WATER MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE, IHE-DELFT (NETHERLANDS)
Awarded with one of the 12 Rotary scholarships.
I had different courses, including Water Resources Planning, Water and Environmental Policy Analysis and Water Conflict Management, which I passed with distinguished grades.
August 2010 - June 2014
BSC. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, NATIONAL AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF MEXICO (MEXICO)
I graduated with honours; my research thesis received an honorific mention not only for the topic "Environmental Education in four rural communities from the South Coast of Jalisco", but also because I obtained 9.66 as the final grade in all my university studies.
PROFICIENCIES
I’m always looking for new and useful skills that will help me do better work. Whether I’m working on a new collaboration or doing something on my own, there is always room for improvement and new things to learn. Have a look at my skillset and let me know if you need additional information.
POLICY ANALYSIS
It is about using analytical tools and structured approaches to support policy making processes
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The art and craft of achieving project goals within given constraints and uncertainties
STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS
Identification of actors (individuals and groups) involved in a certain project, their roles, interests, relative power and willingness to participate
FACILITATION AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
As a facilitator you guide a group to work together more efficiently by creating synergy, generating new ideas, and arriving at consensus and agreement
