Meet the São Paulo roundtable participants

On Thursday, October 5, President Obama met with eleven emerging leaders to learn how they are making a positive difference in their communities and what inspired them to get involved in the work they are doing. This trip was a continuation of the Foundation’s efforts to highlight the good work people are doing in their own communities around the world, and to support the next generation of active citizens and civic leaders. Get to know the roundtable participants below.

A young woman smiling and looking at the camera. She has long brown hair, a nose ring and wears a necklace. Behind her there are tree trunks and foliage.

Tábata Amaral de Pontes

"I dream of a quality education for all and I hope to contribute to that goal as a political leader. My background has showed me that education and politics is the way to transform Brazil and other countries into more equal and better places."

A man with medium-dark skin tone smiles at the camera. He has close-cropped hair, mustache and a short beard. He wears a t-shirt with a photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. on it and a blue suit jacket. Behind him appear red-tile rooftops of buildings.

Paulo Rogério Nunes

"By helping the black community to better understand the role of media, technology and business, I'm trying to connect the dots and update our tools to overcome the challenges of the 21st century. Every day I tell young people to dream big and that they can help Brazil do the right thing: open doors for those who are historically oppressed."

A White man with short brown hair looks at the camera. He wears tan pants, a blue button-up shirt and a dark blue suit jacket. Grass and trees can be seen behind him.

Felipe Neves

"I am the founder and CEO of Constitutional Law in School Project, a nonprofit organization that seeks to teach low income students from public schools the main aspects of the Brazilian constitution, human rights, gender, race equality, and civic rights."

A woman wrapped in a red piece of fabric smiles for the camera as she walks across a city street with cars behind her.

Cassia Moraes

"I am passionate about climate justice and have been promoting civic engagement in major global processes on sustainable development."

A close-up photo of a medium-light skin-toned woman with tight, curly shoulder length hair and glasses. She's smiling at the camera and wears a floral-patterned top.

Deborah Lourenço

"I am a consultant for Rio de Janeiro's State Department of Education, and I volunteer for Project Access, a nonprofit that seeks to widen access to top universities for underprivileged students. I am inspired to do what I do by my mentor. She reminds me that when we climb a wall, it's our responsibility to work so that no unnecessary barriers stand in the way of those who will follow."

A young man wearing glasses has short, dark hair and full beard sits with his legs spread and his hands on his knees. He wears colorful bracelets and a black t-shirt with white rectangles. Behind him are trees and green grass.

Murillo Sabino

"I am the co-founder of Projeto RUAS, a nonprofit that has impacted over 300 homeless people in Rio and has 500 volunteers. Each week, I engage and train entire neighborhoods to connect with those who are experiencing homelessness in their communities."

A person with medium skin tone and curly dark hair smiles at the camera. He wears a light green button-up shirt with the first few buttons undone and two black rope necklaces. He stands in front of what appears to be a painting in reds, oranges and yellows, of a person wearing loose clothing walking.

Tiago Gualberto

"I'm a visual artist and researcher at Museu Afro Brasil. I'm currently working on my Masters Degree in Visual Arts at São Paulo University. I was born in Igarapé, a small city in the state of Minas Gerais, and I currently live in São Paulo."

A headshot of a man with dark brown hair smiling at the camera. He wears a light blue button-up shirt.

Jose Frederico Lyra Netto

"I’m from Goias, a state in the heart of Brazil, and my dream is to change Brazil's education system. I have worked on education reform, public management, and I am currently working to bring a new generation of leaders into government to better reflect the diversity in Brazil."

A young woman with long, wavy hair dressed in a white button-up shirt and black suit jacket poses for the camera. She has one hand on her cheek and one in her lap.

Danielle Fausto

"I am an entrepreneur, and a career coach and mentor. I created the tool Purpose Canvas to help people find the path to a life and career with more impact and purpose. I am passionate about education, leadership, and women's empowerment issues."

A headshot of a smiling White man with light brown hair and beard. He wears a light blue button-up shirt.

Eduardo Leite

"I create change in my community by finding solutions to problems with my fellow citizens as opposed to for them. We have to show people that we need them to participate and engage, and we must build stronger relationships between government and society. "

A medium shot of a woman with short, dark hair wearing a sequined black tank top and earrings. Grass and trees are behind her.

Liziane Silva

"I am the founder and CEO of Ink—a pioneer social business that promotes the professionalization of nonprofits with specialized project management training and consulting. I am inspired by other nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs because they move us all forward by offering their unique systemic perspective and work hard every day to solve problems we all struggle with and have no ready solutions for."