Meet the Board
Elisangela (Lisa) de Pina
Founder and CEOOriginally from Cape Verde, Lisa has lived in Salford since 2004. Her academic journey in the UK led her to earn a degree in International Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire and a postgraduate degree in English as a Foreign Language from Bolton University.
In 2020, Lisa founded Lusoconnectionuk, and she is currently responsible for creating, designing, managing, and implementing all organisational projects and the organisation’s day-to-day operations. Her commitment to community service is evident in her efforts to create meaningful connections and support Lusophone immigrants navigating life in the UK.
Lisa envisions expanding Lusoconnectionuk’s initiatives to focus on education, advocacy, and cultural activities that promote social inclusion. Through collaboration and empowerment, she aims to ensure that language and cultural differences do not hinder the integration of migrant communities, fostering a more equitable society for all.
Mónica Baessa
Co-Founder and Financial DirectorMonica is Cape Verdean by birth and Portuguese by nationality. She graduated in Accounting and Finance and has lived in Manchester since 2005. Monica has worked in various fields, from cleaning to teaching assistant, and for the past seven years, she has been dedicated to finance and inventory management.
Being a person who likes to help, especially her community, she saw in this project the possibility of embarking on something that would contribute to the well-being of the Portuguese-speaking community in Northern England. For this reason, she encouraged and supported this idea from its embryonic stage.
Her passion for finance led her to accept the invitation to join the group’s financial team. She would assist in planning, organising, and controlling financial activities and support establishing policies for managing available resources.
Luis Machado
AccountantBorn in Coimbra, Portugal, Luis moved to the UK in 2013 to pursue new opportunities. With a solid foundation in finance, he holds a BA in Accountancy and has spent the last three years working in the field. Currently studying towards his ACCA qualification, Luis is dedicated to advancing his professional expertise and contributing meaningfully to the world of finance.
Luis is passionate about accountancy and values diversity and community spirit. Outside work, he enjoys sports, travelling, watching movies, listening to podcasts, and immersing himself in music.
As an aspiring finance professional, Luis is committed to continuous learning and growth and seeks opportunities to engage with and contribute to the communities around him.
Tânia Camara
Board MemberTania Camara is a Manchester-based interdisciplinary artist working across performance, African dance, voice, and music. She holds a Master’s degree in Artistic Research from the University of Amsterdam and a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts (Theatre and Dance).
Her work has been presented at national platforms such as the SPILL Festival of Performance, Sprint Festival, and Push Festival. She has also received recognition for her work, including the NLPG Award and the Develop Your Creative Practice award, supporting the growth of her artistic practice.
Alongside her creative work, Tania is a board member of Lusoconnectionuk, where she contributes to the development of culturally inclusive and community-led initiatives. Her practice is deeply connected to Batuku (a traditional dance from Cape Verde), which she explores as both an artistic expression and a way to support wellbeing and cultural identity.
Sandra Correia
Board MemberBorn in Cape Verde and raised in Portugal, Sandra moved to England at the age of 16 to learn English and continue her studies, an experience that gave her a deep understanding of what it means to start a new life in a different country. Salford has been her home ever since.
Sandra holds a BA (Hons) in Social Policy from the University of Salford and has built experience across the health, research, and voluntary sectors. From coordinating clinical research to supporting survivors of domestic violence through advocacy work, her career has always been guided by a genuine desire to help others and contribute to meaningful causes.
For Sandra, being part of Lusoconnectionuk is deeply personal. She is passionate about creating a supportive and inclusive community where language and cultural differences are never barriers to belonging, connection, and opportunity.
