About Me

Who I Am

I’m Anke Marais, an international development professional specializing in climate resilience, informal settlements, disaster risk reduction, and community-led development. My work spans Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the United States, where I partner with farmers, grassroots women’s groups, humanitarian organizations, and research teams on issues of food security, housing, and climate adaptation.

My Journey

Born in Pretoria and raised in Kaapsehoop, a small mountain village on South Africa’s Lowveld escarpment, I was lucky to travel throughout Southern Africa from a young age. These experiences led to my fascination with how space and place influence social justice, and the harmony between nature and human well-being has deepened over time. This interest has grown from degrees in architecture, heritage, and preservation, along with work in education, and now into international development focusing on climate resilience and community-driven projects. My career has taken me to work across Sub-Saharan Africa, East and Southeast Asia, and the United States. Throughout my career, I have conducted fieldwork on sustainable agriculture with farmers, supported post-cyclone housing recovery efforts, coordinated national housing and climate events, and collaborated with local organizations to promote inclusive, community-led solutions.