Angela Maria Rodrigues Lopes da Cruz was the Chief of Party for the USAID Timor-Leste NGO Advocacy for Good Governance Activity. With 18 years of experience in the design, implementation, and management of donor-funded initiatives, she is a seasoned development professional whose expertise spans agriculture, agroforestry, livestock, environment, education, health, youth and women empowerment, and civil society strengthening. Her work with prominent institutions such as USAID and the World Bank has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of development challenges in Timor-Leste, alongside a strong command of donor compliance and accountability standards.

Mana Angela has played a central role in strengthening civil society, advancing advocacy efforts, and fostering inclusive, cross-sector collaboration. She is known for her ability to build trust and partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, donors, academia, and the private sector. Fluent in Fataluku, Tetum, Bahasa Indonesia, and English, she works effectively across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Her academic credentials include a Master’s degree in Horticulture and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Sciences from the University of Melbourne, and a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from the University of East Timor. Mana Angela is deeply committed to empowering communities and promoting rights-based development approaches. Her interest in the Samdhana Fellowship reflects her passion for regional knowledge exchange, environmental and social justice, and the cultivation of emerging grassroots leadership across Southeast Asia.