As Mongabay expands its impact globally, few leaders embody its mission more fully than Maria Isabel Torres, the Program Director of Mongabay Latam.
Based in Lima, Torres has spent the past nine years not only managing Mongabay’s Latin American bureau but also shaping its identity. Under her leadership, Mongabay Latam has grown into a regional powerhouse for environmental journalism, known for its investigative rigor, collaborative ethos, and commitment to spotlighting urgent environmental issues.
This interview is part of Conversations with Mongabay Leaders, a series exploring the people driving change within our organization. Torres’s story is one of vision, resilience, and deep belief in journalism as a force for accountability.
Torres didn’t begin in environmental journalism. Her early career was rooted in political reporting during one of Peru’s most turbulent eras. Inspired by journalism that exposed corruption under the Fujimori regime, she developed a lasting respect for its public value. Later roles in the NGO sector and Peru’s Ministry of Environment revealed the complex links between environmental and political issues, setting the stage for her return to journalism with a new focus.
When the chance came to lead Mongabay’s Latin America initiative, Torres saw it as more than a job — it was an opportunity to build something lasting. Her training in anthropology, deep regional understanding, and journalistic instincts helped her create a newsroom that transcends borders. She envisioned Mongabay Latam as a collaborative platform able to report with depth, context, and nuance.
Torres stands out as a leader who nurtures both talent and purpose. She has built a multicultural, multidisciplinary team spanning seven countries and working with over 90 partner media outlets. She looks for alignment with Mongabay’s values, not just technical skill. Her leadership style emphasizes empathy, clarity, and mutual respect — all essential for building a resilient newsroom.
At the heart of her work are people: Those defending land and biodiversity, and those who trust journalists to tell their stories with dignity. She is especially committed to amplifying the voices of women — journalists, scientists, and Indigenous leaders — whose contributions are too often overlooked.
As Mongabay Latam nears its 10th anniversary, Torres is focused on the future: How to grow, how to innovate, and how to foster a culture of integrity and safety in a region where journalism can be both vital and dangerous. Through it all, she remains guided by curiosity and the belief that journalism, when done with care and collaboration, can truly make a difference.
In this conversation, Torres reflects on her path, the lessons she’s learned, and what it takes to lead a newsroom committed to impact.
