Maria is the co-founder of Open Hydro, an organisation with the aim to accelerate climate action in the hydropower sector and empower organisations to demonstrate their contributions to a climate-resilient zero-carbon planet.

María has led the development of the most recognised framework on climate change risk assessment and acknowledged analysis of GHG emissions and modernisation of hydropower projects. She counts on an extensive network in the hydropower sector including the major multilateral development banks, has advised international organisations, and collaborated with the largest utilities in the world.

She holds a MSc in civil engineering and a postgraduate Master of Advanced Studies in sustainable water resources from ETH Zurich, Switzerland.