Hello I’m Maria
Why I do what I do
I believe the world's biggest challenges won't be solved by isolated ideas—they'll be solved by connecting the right people, knowledge and systems.
Throughout my career, whether I was documenting world-class chefs, traveling across Africa, studying nutrition or building BODY&SOIL, I've found myself returning to the same realization: meaningful change doesn't happen in isolation.
Agriculture alone won't solve malnutrition.
Nutrition education alone won't transform communities.
Innovation alone won't create lasting impact.
Real change happens when knowledge, people and systems are connected.
The Question That Changed Everything
In 2017, I packed my camera and travelled across 10 African countries alone, searching less for photographs than for meaning.
Along the way, I encountered extraordinary food cultures, remarkable people and a wealth of indigenous knowledge that was quietly disappearing. That journey became my award-winning cookbook, Eating with Africa, (DK Random House) but it also left me with a question I couldn't let go of.
Why are countries rich in biodiversity becoming increasingly dependent on imported food, while indigenous crops and knowledge continue to disappear?
The more I searched for answers, the clearer it became that the problem wasn't agriculture alone.
It was the way our systems had become disconnected.
That realization led me into nutrition, regenerative agriculture and systems thinking.
I came to understand that food systems only thrive when education, health, agriculture, leadership, storytelling and local ownership work together. That's why I founded BODY&SOIL. Not simply to teach nutrition or regenerative farming, but to create practical models that reconnect people with food, knowledge and each other.
Connecting the Dots
Looking Back and Forward
Only later did I realize that this way of thinking had shaped my life long before I could put it into words.
Growing up in a closed Christian community, living in eight countries before the age of sixteen and rebuilding my education from scratch after moving to Germany taught me to see the world from different perspectives.
My work as a journalist and photographer taught me to listen and watch before drawing conclusions. Traveling across Africa showed me that every community already holds valuable knowledge.
Together, these experiences shaped not only how I see the world, but how I work within it.
Today I lead BODY&SOIL in Uganda, working alongside communities, researchers, educators and young leaders to develop practical solutions rooted in local knowledge.
My role has never been to have all the answers.
It's to connect people. To recognize patterns and guide. To communicate complex ideas in ways that inspire action.
And to help turn vision into practical, sustainable solutions.
Where Could We Connect?
My hope is not simply to build one successful organization.
It's to help more people connect the dots in their own work—whether they're founders, educators, NGOs, researchers or purpose-driven businesses. Because I believe every community already holds part of the solution.
Whether you're looking for a speaker, a consultant, to give you a workshop or simply want to exchange ideas, I'd love to hear from you.
Get in Touch
Not sure where to start? Let’s connect.
This free, no-obligation 30-minute call is a chance for us to:
Explore your food and nutrition project goals
Discuss challenges and opportunities unique to your context
See how I can support you as a consultant, connector, and storyteller
Determine the best next steps together
Whether you’re just beginning or looking to deepen your impact, this call will help clarify how we can work effectively.
Ready to get started?
I offer first-time discovery calls on Monday and Saturday afternoons. Please send me your preferred time along with a brief introduction about yourself and your project.