Maria Ana Lopes

Maria Ana Lopes is a Strategic Communications and Advocacy professional with more than six years of experience designing, implementing, and leading communication strategies across public institutions, international organizations, and civil society. Known for her proactive mindset and collaborative approach, she brings a strong ability to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging narratives that strengthen visibility, credibility, and stakeholder engagement. Currently serving as Communications Officer at the University of Lisbon, Maria creates and edits multilingual content for digital platforms, manages multimedia production, and ensures consistent messaging across institutional channels. She plays a key role in communication and dissemination activities for the Unite! Widening Project, enhancing outreach, visibility, and partner engagement at both local and international levels. Her work includes content strategy, event coordination, and stakeholder communication across a diverse academic ecosystem. Previously, Maria worked as Communications & Project Officer at Transparency International Portugal, where she developed advocacy strategies, strengthened media relations, and led social media management and content creation. She drafted press releases, newsletters, reports, and briefing notes, while supporting project implementation and public-facing campaigns focused on transparency, integrity, and civic participation. Her experience also spans the private sector, where she contributed to communication and marketing strategies at Hollyfar – Brands and Communication, and the European institutional sphere, having completed a Schuman Traineeship at the European Parliament. Earlier roles at the Consulate General of Portugal in Lyon, the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and UNICRI further strengthened her expertise in public relations, event management, policy communication, and international cooperation. Across these roles, she consistently organized and managed events, drafted high‑level documents, and supported strategic communication efforts. Maria holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science and International Relations from the Portuguese Catholic University and a Bachelor’s Degree in the same field from Nova University Lisbon. She also completed a Postgraduate Degree in Political Consulting and Strategic Communications, deepening her expertise in political communication, public affairs, and strategic messaging. Fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, with working proficiency in French, Maria combines strong communication skills with technical capabilities in CMS management, Adobe Creative Suite, SEO, social media strategy, and multimedia production. Her professional strengths include team leadership, public speaking, analytical problem‑solving, and strategic planning. Driven by purpose and guided by a commitment to clarity, impact, and collaboration, Maria continues to build communication strategies that inform, engage, and inspire diverse audiences across sectors and geographies.