IVCO

Cambodia 2025

Sonia Fernandes

Social Entrepreneur - Pista Mágica

Sonia Fernandes is a distinguished social entrepreneur, consultant, teacher, and trainer, and she is the founder and CEO of Pista Mágica – Volunteering & Innovation. With a dedicated focus on volunteering, Sonia has authored several influential books and manuals that provide valuable insights into best practices within the field. She is also the developer of the CADEI volunteer management training methodology, which incorporates Training, Diagnosis, Experimentation, and Impact. Sonia holds a degree in Anthropology and a Master’s degree in Humanitarian Action, equipping her with a robust academic foundation for her extensive career. Over the past 30 years, she has engaged in both national and international volunteer efforts, working in diverse countries such as the USA, Mozambique, East Timor, and Togo, where she has honed her skills and expertise. In addition to her hands-on experience, Sonia has collaborated with numerous humanitarian organisations, the United Nations, and the European Union. As a trainer and consultant, she has inspired and empowered thousands of volunteers, students, and professionals to engage in meaningful volunteer initiatives. Her unwavering commitment to social change continues to leave a significant impact on communities worldwide Sonia will be presenting on “Volunteer management and knowledge transfer in development: challenges and ways forward” in a Strategy Conversation Session during the IVCO 2024 Conference.