PT

Samuel Emilio

Associate (Representative)
Location: Brazil
Focus Area: Littlest Learners / Growing Learners / Adult Learners
Regional Focus: Latin America
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Meet Samuel, an associate at Imaginable Futures. Samuel supports our investments and strategy in Latin America.

Samuel began his career as a public policy coordinator at Educafro, one of the most influential NGOs in the fight for the dignified inclusion of Afro-Brazilians into higher education. He later served as the national director of Movimento Acredito, a supra-partisan political renovation movement that supports the development of more democratic and equitable practices and leadership. Samuel also ran for office as city counselor in São Paulo, with early childhood development and racial equity as two of his priority agendas. Most recently, he coordinated the diversity and inclusion efforts at Tribo, an organizational culture consulting firm. He has given TEDx talks, served as Ensina Brasil’s youth ambassador and been actively engaged in contributing towards a more just society from a very young age.

Samuel received a Bachelor of Arts in production engineering and is a fellow from Warriors Without Weapons, ProLíder Program, Lemann Foundation and ID Br.

Q+A

WHY DO YOU LOVE COMING TO WORK?

I see work as an opportunity to materialize our deepest beliefs, values and especially dreams. Doing it with a caring community that brings the best out of us makes the journey more coherent and also fun.

WHAT LESSONS DID YOU LEARN EARLY IN YOUR CAREER THAT YOU KEEP WITH YOU TODAY?

Taking care of the process and people is as important as focusing on the results. The work is infinite, but not the opportunity to look others in the eyes and share tight hugs.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

My first dream was being a cop. Probably this is the reason I am a huge fan of Brooklyn 99.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

"We need to be raised for freedom. The world is too big for us not to be who we are." - Elza Soares

FAVORITE SEASON?

I have my doubts if anyone is capable of inventing something better than the summer sun with coconut water on Brazilian beaches.

WHAT’S THE CLOSEST THING TO REAL MAGIC IN THIS WORLD?

Circular dances.

WHAT DO YOU IMAGINE OR WISH FOR THE FUTURE?

I wish for a world where we have an expanded concept of family and are truly able to recognize ourselves as brothers and sisters. I imagine a world with less separation between the self, the other and the world.

WHERE IS YOUR HAPPY PLACE

At carnival.