Vera is Strategic Advisor and Regional Representative at Portugal Social Innovation Mission Unit 2030, a government initiative aimed at promoting social innovation and fostering the social investment market in Portugal since 2014, operating as ESF+ Intermediate body. Vera has worked for several years in Brussels but also outside Europe with the United Nations Global Compact before relocating to Lisbon with the Aga Khan Foundation to find a vibrant and growing impact ecosystem. Academic background in Politics and International Relations specialised in strategy, innovation and foresight. Vera is also a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) enthusiast with a migrant soul and an advocate for mental health rights.