I am a world citizen, born in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, lived the first 10 years of my life in Paraguay, finished undergrad at Fundação Getúlio Vargas (Brazil), came to University of Pennsylvania to research about the Brazilian and Chinese economic relationship and I am currently running my own social venture in the United States, bringing fair trade handcrafts from Brazil (www.bazaarbrazil.net).

Having Chinese parents who migrated from Taiwan to South America, I feel very privileged to have been raised in two cultures simultaneously (Confucian and Latin). For the last five years, I have been inserted in the Anglo-Saxon mindset. 

What it is considered to be normal and expected from my parents is different from my social circle and vice-versa. I became good at listening and bridging similarities and also differences. I remain curious about life and feel motivated when I am challenging the system and innovating.

I have been exploring some new areas besides fair trade and retail:
-    working as a catalyst for organizations I deeply support: Kaninde, Instituto Meio, Comissão Pró Índio, for its activism and compromise in income generation and indigenous right protection 
-    structuring an innovative and responsible tourism model to Brazil, to show the world a different meaning to life
-    researching and gathering resources to generate a platform for dialogue around supply chain of fair trade goods around the world. Bazaar Brazil has been a case study to understanding what works and what what needs to be transformed.

The highlight of the past three years has been the profound relationships and many new ideas I came across. In November 2006, I visited the tribe Paiter Surui in the northwest of the Amazon Rainforest, who are struggling to protect their culture and environment - an experience that will always remind me why I love so much being part of the solution.

I believe in a holistic and collaborative approach to anything we are creating and challenging. The way I have been approaching sustainability is that if we foster economically sound solutions, the communities, philanthropists, investors and individuals will come together.  

I have been myself in a exploratory, start-up and social innovation mode – and I will keep on pushing the boundaries.

My request to you is to keep on believing on the bold vision each of us carry, and together we will see a wiser world.