Our people

Mariella de Souza-Baker

Head of marketing & communications

Location

United Kingdom

Languages

English, French

Mariella de Souza-Baker is a Marketing and Communications specialist with a passion for climate and development storytelling. She holds an MSc in International Development, complemented by creative training in film, design and photography. Mariella leads communications at E Co., crafting strategies, integrated campaigns, and creative multimedia content for global clients. With a background in grassroots campaigns, teaching, media and Marketing, Mariella’s focus is on translating complex topics into accessible and engaging narratives. Mariella thrives on creative problem-solving, collaborating with diverse teams, and championing social and climate justice through impactful storytelling.

Qualifications

MSc International development – SOAS, University of London
BA (Hons) History with an International Year in Europe (France) – Royal Holloway, University of London
Histoire de l’art et Histoire – Université de Tours (ERASMUS)
Film school, London College of Communication
Graphic design and reportage photography, Central St Martins

A Q&A with Mariella de Souza-Baker

In a nutshell, tell us about yourself.

I grew up just outside of London in a creative and open-minded family. It was this environment which likely led me to working in Communications which now, for the last decade, has allowed me to develop ways to empathise with various groups and speak their language. Having a profound love for learning and creative expression offers a multitude of avenues to communicate issues of social and climate justice – issues which have fuelled my personal and professional motivations since school.

What’s the best part of your job?

Deconstructing and rebuilding! Taking apart topics and crafting them for global accessibility; attending COP28 – being present to witness global agreements occur in real time was frankly, indescribable; working alongside our global team of so many intelligent thinkers and doers; and most recently, our latest rebrand – having had the opportunity to closely collaborate with our team and brand agency to really analyse, transform and communicate E Co’s past, present and future has been a brilliant year of learning. I am proud to see how this refresh better reflects E Co. today how we collaborate to drive meaningful action.

What do you most admire?

Humility and big imaginations.

Who most inspires you?

My four grandparents were extremely fascinating to me. They were each so accomplished individually and lived their lives with a level of discipline seen often in those born in the 20s. They lived with such adventure and had seen so much, and yet appreciated the simplest of things.

What makes you laugh?

Blackadder, forever! And subtle or unexpected irony – mostly from my tiny daughter – she’s 10 steps ahead of all of us. Little children should lead us!

What books have inspired you?

Some include: Invisible women by Caroline Criado Perez, Returning to Haifa by Ghassan Kanafani, Quiet by Susan Cain, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown and A Little History of the World by E. H. Gombrich. I worked in Waterstones in my teens and at Penguin Random House after my BA – two particularly dangerous moments in life allowing me to acquire a lifetime of books.