About Me - Ethel Da Costa

Ethel Da Costa

An award-winning international lifestyle journalist, editor, author and media entrepreneur whose multi-faceted career spans over three decades across India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

As Editor-in-Chief of etheldacosta.com and Founder & CEO of Think Geek Media, she operates at the intersection of media, culture, fashion, travel and strategic communications — shaping narratives that connect brands, communities and global audiences

A `Forward Thinking Media Entrepreneur’ Ethel has built a reputation as a storyteller, brand strategist and cultural connector known for blending editorial insight with impactful communications. Her work spans content creation, branding, marketing strategy, PR management and concept development across fashion, hospitality, lifestyle, entertainment and tourism sectors. Through Think Geek Media, she collaborates internationally across India, the UAE and Malaysia, crafting high-visibility media stories, campaigns and partnerships.

Ethel was instrumental in driving digital visibility as a fashion content creator for India’s premier Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) Fashion Week with Weber Shandwick (India), spearheading Media & PR for Mysore Fashion Week, India Beach Fashion Week among others. Invited as a leading Fashion Journalist for Lakme Fashion Week (India), Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (2022-24), New York Couture Fashion Week, Malaysia (2023), besides attending fashion events and launches in India, Dubai and Bangkok, Ethel’s fashion collection reviews and designer interviews can be read online, as also published in major fashion portals and magazines including Masala Magazine, Bangkok.

Ethel works in close collaboration as a LIFESTYLE TRAVEL INFLUENCER/CONTENT CREATOR with MALAYSIA TOURISM since November 2019, promoting travel products and destinations available for international travelers in Malaysia. As an EXTERNAL JURY MEMBER for India’s government owned apex fashion institute – NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY (NIFT) India (2017-2021), Ethel has added a holistic global perspective to fashion and its approach to the Indian market.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/etheldacosta/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dacosta

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etheldacosta/

Born and raised in the Middle East, Kuwait, and based in India and Malaysia, Ethel Da Costa holds a Post-Graduate Masters Degree in Economics (Goa University, India), a Bachelor Arts in Economics and Psychology (Carmel College for Women), with a celebrated media career which includes The Times of India (Editor-Goa Plus), Femina (Features Editor), Tarun Bharat Publications (Editor-Groove), OHerald (Reporter, Magazine Editor), Radio Mirchi 98.3FM (Programming Head & Station Director, Goa), International Film Festival of India (IFFI) (Head of Media & Publicity), Govt of Goa among few. She continues to freelance write for publications in India and abroad.

An advocate for purposeful storytelling and women’s empowerment, Ethel founded EMPOWER, a community initiative designed to inspire dialogue around leadership, self-mastery, financial independence and mental wellness through curated conversations and learning platforms.

As an author, she has published Eve’s Revenge: Stories of Nemesis (2008) and The Stiletto Foodie – A Blog Binge in Malaysia (2021), a culinary travel narrative endorsed by Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism Minister, YB Dato Nancy Shukri, while her upcoming book Eve’s Light: Stories of Passion is currently in development.

Throughout her career, Ethel has received multiple recognitions for media leadership and cultural impact, including global and national awards honouring her contribution to journalism, media innovation and women’s empowerment.

Driven by creative leadership and an unwavering belief that content is culture, Ethel continues to build platforms, conversations and collaborations that amplify voices, shape industry narratives and leave a lasting cultural footprint.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Awarded the Global Indian Award 2020-21 by The Indian Achievers Club, IAC, Mumbai, 2021
Awarded the 99 Indian Women Achievers Award 2021 by The Indian Achievers Club, IAC, Mumbai, 2021
Nominated for TIMES SHE UnLTD Entrepreneur Awards 2020 in the category of Travel & Experience #TheTravellingPinkCrocs, Mumbai, 2020
Nominated for Women in Corporate Awards (WICA) by Women’s Web, Bangalore, 2019
Goa State Best Brands Women Achiever Award 2018 for excellence in Media, PR, Lifestyle by World CSR Day and CMO Asia, Goa, 2018
Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Women’s Wing in Recognition for Valuable Contribution toward Women Empowerment in Media, 2018.
The Goa State Brand Leadership Award 2017-Women Achiever Award 2017 by Devang Mehta Business School and World CSR Day, Mumbai, 2017
Nominated for #FundYourOwnWorth Advantage Woman 2017 nationwide campaign by ICICI Bank, 2017
Woman of the Decade Achievers Award 2015 by the Women Economic Forum 2015, New Delhi. Media Icon distinction for Up-scaling Media & Entertainment through eclectic creative connections‘ 2015
Jaycee Creed Award 2013 (JCI Goa) for `Media Exceptional Contribution to Society’ 2013.
The Pillar of Hindustani Society Award, 2010-11 by Trans-Asian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TACCI) Mumbai, for `Dedicated contribution in the field of Media, Radio, Entertainment’ 2010-11.
Top 4 Finalist `Flame Thrower’ 2008 Non-Revenue, Radio Mirchi 98.3FM Goa, 2008.