Alumna Wendy Cevallos: ‘I wanted to make the world a better place’

Wendy de Boer-Cevallos wanted to study at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) for a long time: ‘I already started a career in electronics in Ecuador, but I really wanted to be part of an effort to be a part of the change.’ Eventually, after a Bachelor’s in at the Zamorano University in Honduras, she managed to enroll into a Master’s programme at WUR. Her stay in the Netherlands was relatively short, though, as Wendy had to return to Ecuador to work there per the prerequisites of her scholarship.

A romantic relationship kept her connected to the Netherlands, and today, Wendy is a senior associate at an Amsterdam consultancy that helps businesses and governments shrink their carbon footprint. She’s also married, and has a daughter.

Knowledgeable and experienced

‘I wanted to study water management in the context of agriculture,’ explains Wendy. ‘WUR has an excellent reputation on that subject: the connection between water, the environment, and food systems. When I managed to get a scholarship to study at the Zamorano University, I was glad to discover they had good connections with WUR.’ So, after receiving her Bachelor’s degree, Wendy left for yet another country. She found a place to live in Wageningen and enrolled into a Master’s in Environmental Sciences.

Wendy describes the Wageningen Campus as an open-minded community. ‘Experts at WUR are knowledgeable, experienced, and accessible,’ she says. ‘I capitalized on that during my time at WUR, pursuing my interests by curating my own programme.’ Furthermore, her time at Wageningen taught her how to conceptualize and execute her own ideas. ‘When I returned to Ecuador, those were the skills I called upon to develop a business case for plantain snacks and tea-like herbs cultivated by women farmers there.’

A more sustainable world

When Wendy left for Ecuador after finishing her Master’s, she stayed connected to the Dutchman that would eventually become her husband. ‘We both spend time and effort on keeping the relationship going even though it was now long distance.’ As international representative of an Ecuadorian export company Wendy managed to find her way back to the Netherlands. She currently lives in Den Bosch with her husband and daughter. ‘We love it here. It’s not too big, not too small, and we live close to nice spot of water called the Engelermeer. It suits our family much better than a bigger city.’

Even so, Wendy now works in Amsterdam, at the Carbon Trust. Wendy describes them as a pioneer in carbon labeling. As a senior associate, she plays her part by verifying the carbon footprint of a wide array of products. ‘We really study how a company engages our planet and strives to reduce their impact on the environment.’ The position allows her to work with international partners, which connects to her own experiences. ‘And I’m fulfilling the wish that started this journey: I get to be a part of an effort to create a more sustainable world.’