Manifest

Identifying and supporting the solutions that will enable a future of equal access, social justice and opportunity for every Brazilian

One good idea holds enormous power. When supported and nurtured, it can become the solution that transforms a community. BrazilFoundation is dedicated to identifying, nurturing and supporting the promising ideas of community leaders across Brazil. When woven together their local solutions will strengthen the fabric of the country.

Years ago, a few friends met in New York City to learn how they could come together constructively to contribute to a better Brazil. The untested idea was to unite a family of support behind the leaders with ideas that will transform Brazil. Though this seed now has deep roots the initial vision remains: identifying and supporting the solutions that will enable a future of equal access, social justice and opportunity for every Brazilian.

Understanding that the greatest rewards often come with a measure of risk, we temper our decisions with confidence in the capacity and extraordinary resilience of the women and men we support.

This work requires many hands, tireless persistence and aligned resources. It is based in a vision of a shared future and a shared effort.

our community

Team Board Advisory Council

Partners Chapters

Team

Aline Silva

Accounting Assistant, Brazil

"Working here means that, somehow, I'm helping to create a more just country for all. "

Bernardo Carvalho

Photographer and Visual Storyteller, Volunteer

“I have visited nearly 20 projects for BrazilFoundation. My goal as a volunteer is to convey the depth, significance, and impact of these projects to supporters and potential donors.”

Bruno de Souza Faria

Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst

"Every developing project I visit and see renews my hope of a better world for us all."

Candida Bello

Development Coordinator, US

“I am really inspired by BrazilFoundation’s work, from the meticulous project selection to the monitoring, training and guidance of the grantees.”

Catia Costa

Director of Operations, Brazil

"It's gratifying to know that we contribute to the development of various organizations and individuals throughout Brazil and to be able to share so many success stories over the years!”

Cristina Brulay

Director, Miami Chapter

“I leverage my corporate and marketing skills to disseminate the philanthropic culture among the Brazilian community in Miami”

Cristine Larson

Administrative and Financial Manager, US

"As a Brazilian raised in the United States, it is wonderful to see the evolution of the projects and the communities they touch. It is gratifying to play a small part in the empowerment of a people with such potential."

Junior Amaro

Event and Public Relations Coordinator, US

“It's rewarding to work at an institution that thinks about the future of my country. Although I no longer live in Brazil, I'm happy to be a small part of this work"

Lívia Duarte

Communications Coordinator, Brazil

“BrazilFoundation has changed the lives of so many people in Brazil. Contributing to this work makes me believe I'm helping to build a better and more just country."

Mª Cecilia Oswaldo Cruz

Program Director, Brazil

"The Foundation’s work is guided by equality, justice and solidarity – which are an expression of my values."

Melinda Kreuser

Communications Coordinator, US

“People ask me why I would work for a Brazilian organization when I am not from Brazil. I believe that the world can learn a great deal from the leadership, innovation, resilience, and spirit of our grantees.”

Mônica de Roure

Vice President & Director of Institutional Relations

"The pioneering spirit of BrazilFoundation to promote philanthropy for social transformation among individuals both in Brazil and abroad motivates us everyday to work better and better and create a new reality in Brazil – one that is collaborative, innovative and empathetic."

Nadia Lemos

Logistics Coordinator and Community Relations, Brazil

"I believe in the transparency of our work and the seriousness with which we treat our mission."

Patricia Lobaccaro

President and CEO

“Every day I reflect upon ways through which we can better support our grantee partners changing communities across the country, contribute to a more transparent social sector in Brazil, foster collaboration and inspire more people to engage in meaningful and productive philanthropy.”

Pedro Fontoura Toledo

Financial Manager, Brazil, Volunteer

"I’ve worked for 12 years as a volunteer because I believe in the cause and seek, where possible, to transfer my knowledge and expertise to BrazilFoundation’s work."

Thiago Eichner

Graphic Designer, freelancer, US

“In all of our grantees’ stories resides the affirmation that it’s possible to make a better Brazil - by the people and for the people. Nothing is more powerful than that.”

Board

Leona Forman

Founder, BrazilFoundation

Leona founded BrazilFoundation in June 2000 after retiring from a 20-year career at the United Nations with the Department of Public Information (DPI). As chief of Information Centers Services at the UN, Leona managed a network of 70 centers around the world whose job was to provide information to the media and NGOs on major subject s under discussion at the UN. Prior to that, she headed the DPI’s section for non-governmental organizations, working closely with over 1,600 associated NGOs in all regions of the world. She served as Spokeswoman to the President of the General Assembly in 1995 during the fiftieth anniversary of the UN.

Will Landers

Chairman of the Board | Managing Director, BlackRock

William M. Landers, CFA, is Managing Director at BlackRock and the senior portfolio manager for the firm’s Latin American active equity portfolios. In the past, he worked as an investment banker at Bear Stearns, and as a Latin American research analyst at Lehman Brothers and CSFB. Will received a BSBA in finance from Georgetown University.

Roberta Mazzariol

Treasurer & Vice-Chairman of the Board | Founder & Senior Managing Director, Atlas Advisors

Roberta is a founder and Senior Managing Director at Atlas Advisors, an investment banking firm. Prior, she worked as an investment banker at J.P. Morgan. She holds an M.B.A. from NYU’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business, and a J.D. from the University of São Paulo Law School.

Marcello Hallake

Partner, Jones Day

A co-founder of BrazilFoundation, Marcello is a partner with Jones Day, an international law firm. Born in Rio, Marcello graduated in Law and in Public and International Affairs from Louvain University in Belgium, and received a masters degree in Law from Georgetown University. Marcello is a board member of various not-for-profit organizations.

Andre Laport

Former Managing Director, Latin America Equities at Goldman Sachs

Andre is the former head of Latin America Equities at Goldman Sachs. He serves on the Board of Directors of Goldman Sachs Brazil and is a member of the Brazil Management Committee, Growth market committee, Brazil Risk Committee and the Latin America Operating Committee. Previously, Andre was head of Latin America trading in New York. He joined Goldman Sachs as a managing director in 2008 and was named partner in 2010. Andre earned a diploma from the Leadership Program at Harvard Business School in 2007.

Daniela Atwell

Managing Partner and Founder, Atwell Real Estate Advisors

Daniela Atwell is a Managing Partner and Founder of Atwell Real Estate Advisors (“AREA”), and is a current adjunct professor of Architecture at Columbia University.Previously she was a Founding Partner of G2 Development Planning, Project Director with Pei Cobb Freed and Partners and a Project Manager with Rafael Viñoly Architects. She attended the School of Architecture at University of São Paulo, and earned a Bachelor and Master Degree of Architecture from Politecnico di Milano.

Daniela Fonseca

Partner, Baker and McKenzie, LLP

Daniela Fonseca is a partner at law firm Baker and McKenzie LLP in Miami. Previously, she was a partner at law firm Shutts & Bowens. Daniela played a key role in establishing the BrazilFoundation Miami Chapter. She has a Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University and studied Law at Faculdade de Direito Milton Campos.

Drey Dias

Manager, Buy Side Trading Solutions in Latin America at Bloomberg

Drey currently heads Bloomberg's Buy Side Trading Solutions in Latin America, overseeing sales, implementations and support across 15 countries. He joined Bloomberg in 2002 in New York and has led teams in South America and Mexico. In Brazil for the last 7 years, Drey has focused on Enterprise Solutions. He has a degree in International Business and minors in Asian and LatAm studies from Fairfield University.

Karen Johnson Lassner

Public Health Management Specialist

Karen is a consultant in global health. With more than 35 years’ experience in 20 countries, she works to strengthen the governance, management and leadership of civil society and public sector organizations working in public health. A California native, Ms. Lassner holds MA and MPH degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Karin Dauch

Journalist and Real Estate Agent

Karin is a real estate agent in New York at CORE. She holds a masters degree in Journalism from Columbia University and is a freelance contributor for several Brazilian media outlets. Before moving to New York she worked for O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper and Jornal da Tarde. She’s currently pursuing a masters in Fundraising for Nonprofits at New York University.

Marcus Vinicius Ribeiro

Principal, Americas - PRISA

Marcus joined PRISA’s executive team in January 2012 as the Principal for the Americas. Former COO and Head of the Corporate & Legal Affairs for Violy & Co. and VP for Santander Investment Bank, Marcus initiated his career as an Associate Attorney General for Brazil. Marcus worked for the LMDC on the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site. Marcus is a Board Member at other organizations and including Community-Word Project, CreativeTime and Americas Society. He has a law degree from UFRJ.

Maria Carolina Tavares de Melo

Founder, Tropics Showroom

Maria Carolina dedicates most of her time to her fashion distribution business, although she is also an attorney. A native of Recife, she has worked at several of Recife’s most respected law firms. She finished her studies at the University of Miami and is a member of the university’s Advisory Committee for the International Graduate Law Programs’ Alumni Association.

Marilia Bezerra

Managing Partner of CARE Enterprises Inc.

Marilia serves as Managing Partner of CARE Enterprises Inc., a for-profit subsidiary of CARE focused on creating economic opportunity for people experiencing poverty globally. Prior to CEI she founded and led Aldeia Works, was Managing Director of Partnerships at Purpose, and a member of the Clinton Global Initiative’s (CGI) executive leadership team. She received a law degree from the Federal University of Ceará in Brazil, and has a M.S. in Global Affairs, International Relations from New York University.

Paula Bezerra de Mello

Head of Public Relations and Marketing, Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro

Paula is the head and founder of Ello Comunicação, a branding firm with clients including Fasano and Osklen. She is also the head of public relations and marketing for Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro. She has a B.A from Brown University.

Pedro Lichtinger

President & CEO, Asterias Biotherapeutics

Pedro is President and CEO of Asterias Biotherapeutics. Prior to that he was the CEO of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, and before that held several key positions with Pfizer from 1995 to 2009, and was an executive of Smith Kline Beecham. Mr. Lichtinger serves on the board of directors of Sanfer de México. Mr. Lichtinger holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and an Industrial Engineering degree from the National University of Mexico.

Sylvia Brasil Coutinho

President, UBS Brazil

Sylvia became the president at UBS bank in Brazil in 2013. Before joining UBS, Sylvia was responsible for the retail business, insurance and asset management at HSBC Bank for Latin America, and worked at Citigroup. She holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering from ESALQ - USP, and an MBA from Columbia University. Sylvia also worked at institutions including ANBID, EDH, and was the president of LIDE Mulher.

Safira Saragossy

Self-Employed, Lawyer

Audit Committee

Advisory Council

Global Advisory Council

Adalnio Senna Ganem

CONSUL GENERAL OF BRAZIL IN MIAMI

Ana Lucy Cabral Petersen

Consul General of Brazil in New York

Armando Strozenberg

Chairman, Euro RSCG Brasil

Claudius Ceccon

Executive Director, Centro de Criação de Imagem Popular (CECIP)

Donna Hrinak

President, Boeing Latin America

Gilberto Gil

Former Minister of Culture

Marcílio Marques Moreira

Former Minister of Finance and Partner, Conjuntura e Contexto

Nicholas Lobaccaro

Managing Partner, EVA Capital Management LP

Oskar Metsavaht

Founder, Instituto-E

Paulo Uchoa Ribeiro Filho

Ambassador, Brazil in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Thomas DeCoene

Partner, DeCoene Holdings LLC

Advisory Council

Program Advisory Council

Angela Dannemann

Deputy Superintendant, Fundação Itaú Social

Bradford Smith

President, Foundation Center

Carol Civita

Margaret Day

Activist, Founder, Raised in Rocinha

Priscila Neri

Senior Program Manager, WITNESS

Virginia Botelho

Former Program Officer at OAK Foundation

Partners

BrazilFoundation partners with institutions and corporations that are interested in BrazilFoundation’s successful methodologies as a way to help scale the social impact of their own investments.