Maria specialises in the management of cultural institutions. Her tools are strategic planning, policy development and concept definition of new infrastructures. Surrounded on a daily basis by artists, architects and cultural managers, she is a great believer in creative thinking as the most valuable asset for individuals in contemporary societies. With a background in political science and business administration, she founded the cultural consultancy Lordcultura over 10 years ago; her interest in how the cultural sector can be a driver for development took her to Cambodia at the beginning of 2011. While developing her own research she is supporting UNESCO in the field of cultural policy; in her free time she is learning traditional dance and practising her photographic skills.


TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." The program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level.