New leader appointed to Laudato si Movement

Susana Réfega

Susana Réfega has been appointed as new Executive Director of the Laudato si Movement. (LSM). She takes up her new role on 8 January 2024.

Susana has extensive leadership experience in the Catholic international development and civil society sector. She previously served 12 years as Executive Director of Fundação Fé e Cooperação (Faith and Cooperation Foundation), a CIDSE member organization created in 1990 by the Bishops' Conference of Portugal, in close dialogue with the churches of Portuguese-speaking countries.

Susana also served on the board of CIDSE for several years and was the Board President of the Portuguese National NGO platform for three years. Susana speaks five languages, which will facilitate her communication with members of our movement worldwide.

Susana's journey with God's Creation actually started with a PhD in Biology; since 2012 she has been actively engaged as a volunteer in 'Casa Velha: Ecology & Spirituality', an Ignatian-inspired centre that is an "ecological conversion catalyst"; and she also became a Laudato Si' Animator in May of this year.

This is a significant milestone for LSM, as it marks the end of Tomás Insua's tenure as founding Executive Director. While he will continue to be part of LSM through the Assisi Project, this will be a major transition.

Watch Susana's message to the LS family: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E0DRl6Pr2g

Read more about the Laudato si movement: https://laudatosimovement.org/