Ana Paula Da Costa Xavier
CEO, Similie- Timor-Leste
Ana Paula da Costa Xavier is CEO, Similie — a Timor-Leste–based technology company leading climate resilience through its Early Warning System.
Similie's Early Warning system is a nationally recognised solution designed and maintained by Timorese engineers, providing real-time data for disaster preparedness and flood monitoring across multiple municipalities.
As CEO, Paula leads Similie's mission to deliver digital infrastructure and resilience solutions for local communities, businesses, and supply chains.
Paula's background spans over 12 years in technology and development, running digital programmes and co-founding The Academy — Timor-Leste's first digital and technology school — before turning her focus to building climate resilience solutions. She has led women's entrepreneurship and SME programmes with partners including GIZ, The Asia Foundation, and Hivos, and holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of Queensland. Her focus is now connecting technology and communities to build a resilient, data-driven Timor-Leste.