Cristina Rebelo Dos Santos Costa is a graduate of Charles Darwin University, where she completed a Master’s in Business Administration for Professional Practice in 2014. With a strong background in both public and private sectors in Timor-Leste and internationally, Cristina has committed her career to driving progress in education and economic development.
She is the co-founder of St. Anthony’s International School (SAIS), the first independent international school in Timor-Leste. Since its establishment in 2017, SAIS has provided over 60 scholarships to underprivileged students and has become a beacon of inclusive, high-quality education in Dili. The school uniquely blends the Northern Territory and Timor-Leste national curricula and currently serves over 220 students with a team of more than 25 staff.
In 2023, Cristina was elected to the National Parliament of Timor-Leste, where she serves on Commission D, focusing on economics and development. Her work reflects a deep commitment to empowering communities through education, policy, and opportunity.