MEMBERS

Georges Lebeau — Director

After a career as CEO of an engineering company, Georges retired to Portugal, a country with which he has enjoyed a close and affectionate relationship for more than 50 years. Based in Serra d'El-Rei, he was one of the founding members of Rotary Club Atlântico in 2023 and served as its President until 30 June 2026.

Georges co-leads the campaign's international dimension — coordinating across numerous European countries under the banner of WSWP (Week of the Sea without Plastic) who recently secured the High Patronage of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, a milestone that has significantly raised the campaign's international profile.

His strong interest in environmental issues turned Georges into a tireless ambassador for the campaign — building bridges between organizations, opening doors with policymakers, and championing the cause not only here in Portugal, but across the Mediterranean and beyond.

Simone Sequeira Lopes — National Cordinator

Co-founder of Refúgio Quinta Nere Maitia, Simone is Portuguese-Canadian. She spent nearly three decades in Arizona, active in community and international-affairs circles as a Rotarian, Paul Harris Fellow, and board member of other nonprofits. In 2021, she and her husband Patrick relocated to Portugal, fulfilling a long-held dream in the Ribatejo region.

A Rotarian for over 26 years, Simone brings sharp networking and organizational skills to EPS Portugal, co-leading national strategy, partnerships, and press outreach. Her focus: driving the campaign's second year toward even greater success — building EPS Portugal into the movement everyone is talking about, and inspiring others to become ambassadors protecting our waters, rivers, forests, and communities.

Patrick Laurin Gilbert — IT & Communications

Co-founder of Refúgio Quinta Nere Maitia and Board Member of Rotary Club Atlântico, manages the campaign's digital infrastructure, website and communications channels.

He is also developing a smartphone application with geolocation reporting, so that individuals who find residues or plastic garbage can send the location, which will be reported to local EPS PT volunteers and participants to help with the collection of these large residues.

Adília Charmier — Scientific Cooperation

Adília oversees the campaign's scientific partnerships. She holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Université Blaise Pascal (France) and is Invited Full Professor at Lusófona University, directing its Biotechnology degree, alongside her role as Co-founder and CEO of EXMceuticals Portugal.

With over 30 years in science education and sustainability leadership, her research at IST and UL-CUL spans bioactive natural products and plastic pollution monitoring — backed by 91 publications and three patents, scientific credibility that makes her a crucial leader for EPS Portugal.

Anabela Pereira Bonin et Bernard Bonin - Algarve Coordinators

Anabela Monteiro Pereira Bonin holds dual French-Portuguese nationality. Born in Portugal on May 30, 1961, she emigrated to France at the age of 10, where she completed her education. There, she married a Frenchman, Bernard, with whom she had one child and, in time, four grandchildren. The couple later chose to retire in Portugal, after selling the businesses they had built together in France.

In France, the couple ran businesses trading wood and plywood for civil construction, as well as manufacturing formwork for structural building work. Anabela served as CEO, focusing primarily on the financial and social/HR side of the business.

Community service has long been part of her DNA: as a young woman, she was a member of the Lions Club of France, dedicating 34 years to the organization in service of many causes. Once settled in Portugal, she naturally gravitated toward a local service club, and it was in this way that she joined Rotary six years ago.