The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO)

Season 9 · Episode 4 · March 25, 2026

The Amazon is the world's biggest tropical rainforest, spanning nine countries in South America and containing around one-tenth of the world's known species. But for decades this vital resource has been under threat — nearly 20 percent of Amazon forest has been lost or degraded, largely through deforestation. A significant part of reducing that is making it financially viable to keep the forest standing. But how? On the season finale, we look at making supply chains more sustainable from source to end product. We start in the Amazon with María José "Chochi" Iturralde, executive director of Fundacion Pachaysana in Ecuador, which provides financial incentives for local people to preserve their forest and land through regenerative agriculture — part of an economic model known as the bioeconomy. Then we hear from leaders at Natura, a global beauty company sourcing many products from the Amazon: Charmian Love, global ambassador, and Fernanda Rezende Facchini, senior sustainability and procurement leader in Latin America. Finally, host Zainab Salbi sits down with Jenna Johnson, president of Patagonia, on what it takes to scrutinize every step of a supply chain. Guests: Jenna Johnson, president of Patagonia; María José "Chochi" Iturralde, executive director of Fundacion Pachaysana; Charmian Love, global ambassador at Natura; Fernanda Rezende Facchini, Natura Latin America.