100
The
Brazilians
who made it
NewYork
in

The Brazilian community of New York has cast 6. Alessandra Ambrosio
“I always thought New York was the center
their votes on the Internet to elect the top Brazilian of the fashion world,” says the top model
movers and shakers of the Big Apple. Looking at Alessandra Ambrosio, who stepped onto
the Big Apple’s concrete sidewalks 12 years
the results, it’s possible to see a trend that ago for her first jobs and never stopped
working. She has walked the runways for
expresses a democratic, pluralistic, non-elitist
3 5 7
Fendi, Christian Dior, Prada, Louis Vuit-
ton, Christian Lacroix, and Oscar de la
vision that is a true reflection of Brazil and this Renta; she has posed for Vogue, Harper’s
Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Love.
great country that welcomed us all, the United She is also one of the Victoria’s Secret an-
States. Choices can sometimes cause controversy, gels. In 2005, she was ranked the sexiest
model in the world on models.com.
and not all candidates can make the list. But this
year is just the beginning and we have a long road 3. Alexandre 5. Alex Ibrahim 7. Alexandre Thumlert
ahead to improve this process. It's only fair to Bueno de Moraes After earning a degree in engineering from
Universidade Gama Filho and MBA in Mar-
In 1995, he started studying Administration at
Long Island University. Back in Brazil, after he
With his partner Andrew S. Klug, Alexandre
celebrate, every September, the month of Brazil, Bueno de Moraes opened Gallery 1500 in
New York this year—the first gallery of Bra-
keting and International Commerce from
the Zicklin School of Business, Ibrahim
had finished college in 1999, he joined the team
at Citibank Private Banking. In 2004, he re-
and all Brazilians who have made their mark and zilian photography. Moraes was born in Brazil,
grew up in Paris, and now lives in New York.
joined the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) in 1999. He has held positions as
turned to New York with his wife to get his
MBA at NYU’s Stern Business School and
imprinted the forms and hues of Brazil into the city In the Big Apple, he was the proprietor of the director of the Latin America division and
account manager of the department of in-
take part in an internship program at George
Weiss & Associates. He dedicated the next
restaurants Le Zoo and Waterloo—which
that is the heart of the world. ternational services for clients from regions three years to the emerging market. Thumlert
6
had clientele from people in the fashion world
and the publicity industry. In 2003, he found- such as Latin America, Portugal, and Spain. currently works at UBS bank, which has head-
ed 1500 Productions, an agency that repre- Since 2008, he worked as director of man- quarters in Basel and Zurich, in addition to its
sents photographers with offices in Rio de agement and regional chief of Latin America, offices in Manhattan, Jersey City, Weehawken,
the Bermudas, and the Caribbean. and Stamford. The challenge at UBS is to
8
Janeiro and New York.
rebuild equity in Latin America.
2. Alberty Levy
Levy is on the list of New York’s Top Doc-
tors. A graduate and professor of the Fac-
uldade Nacional de Medicina da Univer- 9. Aparecida Teixeira
sidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Federal Aparecida Teixeira moved to New York in
University of Rio de Janeiro’s National 2002 focused on teaching Portuguese to
Medical School), he landed in New York Americans, which she had done in Brazil
in 1977. In 1989, he founded Manhattan since 1996. In the beginning she met up with
1
Family Practice, where he attends to both students at their workplaces, homes, or in
the local and international communities. coffee shops. When she became pregnant
He is also physician to the consulates of with her first daughter, she decided to cen-
Brazil and France and makes himself avail- ter her work in a sole location. And Brazil
Station was born—the first company spe-
4 10
able for United Nation’s missions. Aside
from attending to various hospitals in New cialized in teaching Brazilian Portuguese in
York, he teaches courses at Mount Sinai the city. Today the company employs a
2
Medical School. dozen professionals and produces an infor-
9
mative bulletin that is read by more than
four thousand Brazilians.
1. Airam da Silva
Over the past 20 years, Airam has dedi-
cated all of his time, knowledge, and en- 8. Antonio 10. Arthur Mattos Casas
4. Ana Oliveira Hasslauer da Costa
Report: Marina Beltrame Photos:Promotional
ergy to constructing what now is the larg-
One of the most sought-after architects
est recruitment center in the world for Since 2006, Oliveira has served as President International Fashion CEO/Strategy Con- with offices in São Paulo and New York,
bone marrow donors. At age 13, he started and CEO of New York Women’s Foundation sultant. Costa is responsible for the strat- Casas has been winning prizes since
as a volunteer at the Icla da Silva Founda- (NYWF). For over two decades she has de- egy and positioning of Brazilian brands that 1994. In 2008, he won the prestigious
tion when his sister was diagnosed with veloped programs for vulnerable populations want to break into the competitive and de- German Red Dot Design Award for his
leukemia and needed a bone marrow trans- in New York. In 2004, she was chosen by Mi- manding U.S. market. Over 20 years of development of a cutlery line and din-
plant. Ever since he became president of chael Bloomberg to join the Commission on experience in the realm of international nerware for the company Riva. This
the foundation, four years ago, he opened AIDS. The city of São Paulo native arrived fashion gave Costa the know-how to succed. year he took first place in the “Best Res-
affiliates in Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, and in New York in 1981 after graduating in Psy- He also has experience in global business, taurant” category of the 2010 Design
Puerto Rico. The program increased the chology and Sociology. In the Big Apple she extending from North and South America, Award in Wallpaper magazine for his
number of registered donors from 7 thou- earned a Master’s in Anthropology from the Europe, Middle East, and Asia. project with restaurant Kaá in SP.
sand in 1996 to over 38 thousand in 2009. New School for Social Research.

12. Béco Dranoff 18. Carlos Saldanha
Rooted in New York since 1988, the music He entered the MFA program at the School
producer and artistic director from São Pau- of Visual Arts in 1991, where he met Chris
lo, Béco has dedicated himself to the produc- Wedge, one of the cofounders of Blue Sky
tion and promotion of Brazilian music abroad. Studios, who invited him to join his team of
He is one of the creators of the charity project artists. Saldanha worked as animator and su-
Red Hot + Rio, and co-founded the label Ziri- pervisor of the film Joe’s Apartment (1996),
buiboom, which introduced the world to and developed the first characters for the films
19
names like Bebel Gilberto and DJ Dolores. In Simple Wish (1997) and Fight Club (1999). He
11 13
2009, in partnership with journalist Guto was nominated for an Oscar after his first fea-
Barra, he launched the documentary Beyond ture film, Ice Age (2002). He later directed
17
Ipanema: Brazilian Waves in Global Music, Gone Nutty, which was also nominated for an
which held its world premiere at the MoMA. Oscar in 2004. He is currently working on his
Béco airs a monthly radio program online—at new film Rio, which is set to debut in 2011.
artonair.org—of MPB (post-Bossa Nova
urban popular music) called Sonoridade.
11. Bebel Gilberto 13. Camila Rosas Tariki 19. Carlos Souza
The spontaneity with which Carlos Souza be-
Bebel Gilberto was born in New York but grew Once she graduated in Architecture and Ur- friends Hollywood’s most glistening stars and
up with her parents, Brazilian singers João banism from Mackenzie University in 2000, society figures across the globe will have you
Gilberto and Miúcha, in Brazil. Bebel had her
musical debut while performing a duet with
Camila moved to New York. She works side
by side with designer Karim Rashid on cre-
17. Carlos Miele believe that his work is effortless. Far from it.
Owner of the brands M. Officer, Carlos His immortal good looks and irresistible Bra-
her father singing Chega de Saudade in 1980. ation. With him, she managed over 80 projects Miele, and Miele by Carlos Miele, he re- zilian charm only enhances his innate talent,
She took part in children’s choirs like Os in 28 countries, from restaurants to hotels, turned to Brazilian runways this year and shown through 20 years of fabulous parties,
Saltimbancos and Pirlimpimpim. Later on she exhibits, and graphic designs. In 2006, Karim
12
regularly takes part in both New York and celebrity-studded red carpets and unforget-
composed alongside Cazuza. Her first album named Camila his representative in Brazil, and London Fashion Weeks. He graduated from table shows. In 2008, after Valentino’s retire-
was chosen as one of the thousands of titles since then she has been shuttling between
18
Fundação Getúlio Vargas with a degree in ment, Caca (as he is endearingly called by
that Must Be Heard Before You Die. Last year Brazil and New York following projects for Administration, and in 1986 he created M. loved ones) embraced a new challenge as PR
she released her fourth and most recent album Melissa, Folha de S. Paulo and the exhibit at Officer. This year Miele was the only Brazil- director for Claro Rio Summer, Rio’s em-
to date All in One. Institute Tomie Ohtake. ian chosen by American Vogue for a series blematic international swimwear and lifestyle
of documentaries about fashion brands. show week, and led a handful of the fashion
The video The World of Carlos Miele is avail- world’s most powerful names to discover his
able on the Vogue TV website. hometown. Now, back at Valentino, he divides
his time between New York, Rio and Rome.
15. Carlos Guimarães
Guimarães is currently president of LAIG
(Latin America Investment Group), a con- 21. Claudine DeNiro
sulting company focused on private and Claudine is senior vice-president of The
public investments with offices in São DeNiro Group at Prudential Douglas Elli-
Paulo, Buenos Aires, New York and Ma- man, a real estate powerhouse that special-
drid. He was cofounder and president of izes in luxury properties in Manhattan, the
Invest Tur Brasil, a leading real estate com- Hamptons, and Montauk. Claudine earned
pany in Brazilian tourism. Previously, he degrees from the Fashion Institute of Tech-
14 22
nology (FIT) in Advertising and Marketing
16
was coordinator of the IDB’s private sec-
20
tor (Inter-American Development Bank) and Communications and Marketing. She
in Washington. A New York resident, Gui- married Raphael DeNiro, son of actor Rob-
marães is also a member of the American ert DeNiro, two years ago. Their first child,
Chamber of Commerce for Brazil. Nicholas, was born in 2009.
14. Carlos Falchi 16. Carlos Junqueira
In the beginning of his career, Falchi’s bags
With a degree in law, Carlos Junqueira
20. Cassio Antonio Calil 22. Cláudio Mascarenhas
were identified by their irregular piecing of After leaving Brazil 23 years ago, Cassio lived A low baritone, this native of Rio de Janeiro
exotic multicolored leathers. However, after moved to New York to work in the mar- in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and is part of the Opera Company of Brooklyn.
studying traditional art in Japan, Falchi gained keting sector of Alpargatas. Next, he Ireland before settling in New York. He is His debut was at the Brazilian Conservatory
new approaches to the design of his pieces. In worked with coffee importation but currently responsible for JP Morgan’s Struc- of Music. In 1997, he was accepted by the
stopped in 2001. It was then that Jun-
21
1979, he created his first “deconstructed” tured Projects and Corporate Solutions Danish Free Education program, which sup-
15
bag—unlined, made out of a single skin of buf- queira discovered his passion for design Group in the Americas Investment Banking ported his studies in Europe. Afterwards, he
falo leather with just two stitches. In 1999, he and in 2002 opened Espasso in Long Is- division. His group provides specifically ca- received a scholarship from Opera Ebony in
started collaborating on accessories’ projects land City. The gallery exhibits furniture tered tools and solutions and products to New York. Cláudio often sings in New York
with names like Donna Karan, Vera Wang, and pieces by the best Brazilian designers. He manage risk client risk. Cassio is on the and this year he is performing three concerts
Bill Blass. Some of his most loyal clients in- expanded his business into Los Angeles Board of Directors at the Brazilian-Ameri- in Rio de Janeiro at the Centro Cultural
clude Sarah Jessica Parker, Sienna Miller, in 2004, the gallery was then transferred can Chamber of Commerce. Justiça Federal and Parque das Ruínas.
Demi Moore, Madonna and Jessica Alba. to the Pacific Center in 2006.

24. Daniel Urzedo 29. Fernanda Lacerda 31. Fernando
Urzedo is the founder of Rede Showroom, The daughter of businessman Oscar Lac-
a showroom service that successfully erda, owner of one of the largest cosmetics Ferreira de Araújo
launched Brazilian brands in the United companies in Brazil, Fernanda and her sister His interest in the arts brought him to study
States like Alexandre Birman, Daslu, Jo de Claudia opened Maria Bonita Salon & Spa Painting and History of Art at the Atelier
Mer, Jack Vartanian, and Schutz. Before in New York in 2003. The salon, located in Pierre Chalita in Maceió, Alagoas in 1976.
After graduating in Adminstration in 1986, he
25
moving to New York eight years ago, he SoHo, offers various exclusive services like
lived in Switzerland and Canada. In the the Brazilian Facial—(it includes a cleaning, moved to New York and on the same year
Big Apple he studied Business Administra- exfoliation, acne extraction, and moisturiz- began studying textile design. Between 2000
30
tion and earned his MBA in International ing treatment) which does not exist any- and 2003 he lived in São Paulo. He returned
Marketing and Public Relations from the where else in the city. Created in 2009, Fer- to Manhattan and dove into the internation-
23
City University of New York. nanda is also in charge of Brazilian Supple- al art scene. He started an atelier and joined
23
ments. She is an avid advocate of Brazil and The Art Students League of New York. His
Fundação da Criança (Children’s Founda- works are in private collections in New York,
tion) Health Organization. Miami, San Francisco, London, Paris, Madrid,
25. Daniela São Paulo, and Recife.
Rebouças Atwell
Daniela is a founding partner of G2 De-
velopment Planning, a construction and
30. Fernanda Motta
After her success from starring in cam-
23. Cristiana architecture company formed in 2008. She
is an Adjunct Professor of Architecture at
paigns for Cartier, Moët Chandon, and
Rolex, Fernanda expanded her profes-
Mascarenhas Columbia University. Her curriculum in-
troduces the supervision of projects, such
sional portfolio. In 2008, she was hired to
host Brazil’s Next Top Model on Sony chan-
Earning a degree in Architecture from the
31
as housing development in Bandeirantes,
24
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Mas- nel, but she didn’t abandon her career as a
29
cerenhas founded the Manhattan Enterprise São Paulo; Howard Hughes Medical Insti- model. Her last spread spanned eight
In Plus Inc. in 1992 and has been the director tute, in Ashburn, Virginia; Regionale Lom- pages in Spanish Elle. Native of Rio de
of several projects in the United States, Brazil bardia, in Milan, Italy; and the L’Oréal Janeiro, she lived in Florianópolis and São
and France. In 1991, after spending six months headquarters, Clark, New Jersey. Daniela Paulo before settling in New York, a city
in New York City, Mascarenhas fell in love earned her Master’s in Architecture from she finds one of the most interesting in the
with the New Yorker lifestyle and decided to Politécnico di Milano, Facoltá di Architet- world. “It’s a mix of cultures. I love walk-
tura e Società, in Milan.
28
open her own office. “Time passes and the ing around and observing people, their
Brazilian elite in New York grew and became interests, and their activities.”
even more elegant,” she says.
34. Francisco Costa
26
27 Eliane Elias 32. Fernando Milani In 2002, he started working at Calvin Klein,
This native of São Paulo entered the music It was in New York that Milani found his pas- where he currently serves as the creative direc-
world at 17 years old, upon working for sion: photography. He studied at the Fashion tor. Fashion is in stylist Francisco Costa’s
Toquinho and Vinicius de Moraes for Institute of Technology (FIT) and specialized DNA, who hails from Guarani, Minas Gerais.
three years. In 1981, she moved to New in beauty. In 2006, he became part of WWD His parents owned a very successful clothing
York, and the next year became part of the Beauty Biz Magazine, which appoints the top business and his sister also chose a career in
group Steps Ahead. She was the first-ever photographers in the beauty industry. His fashion design. He arrived in New York in the
female instrumentalist to be the cover of
33
portfolio includes work for Pantene, Sephora, early 90s, and while he studied English, he did
Down Beat magazine, and has recorded John Frieda, Garnier, Avon, Gillette, Philips, fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology
over 20 albums. All of her recordings have and Johnson & Johnson. His photographs (FIT). Afterwards, he went on to refine his
been in Billboard Magazine’s top 5 and on have also been published in Marie Claire, skills at FIT in Italy. He worked at Studio Su-
radio charts in the United States. In 2008, Glamour, and Elle. san Bennett and Bill Blass label. In 1993, he
she was the second most selling CD in started his five-year collaboration with Oscar
France. Aside from singing, Eliane plays de la Renta up until he was recruited in 1998
the piano, composes, and arranges. by Tom Ford to join his team at Gucci.
28. Elma Reis 33. Fernando Tormena
Born and raised in Brazil, she started sew- While he studied International Relations
ing when she was seven-years-old by using in Brazil, Tormena spent his time shuttling
26. Edilberto Mendes her mother’s sewing machines to make back and forth between São Paulo and
Edilberto arrived in the United States in clothes for her dolls. In 1984, Elma en- New York promoting parties in the Hamp-
1980 to study Film at the University of rolled at the Fashion Institute of Technol- tons. In 2003, he moved to New York, and
Miami. After graduating, he moved to ogy. While she studied Fashion, she made started his career as a VIP Host at the best
New York where he lives to this day. He nightclubs in the city such as the Pink El-
32
apparel for Isaac Mizrahi and worked with
27 34
has worked as editor of The Brasilians Helena Morleu. In 1998, she joined the ephant, Puffy Daddy, and Cain. This led
newspaper since 1987 and he is the execu- Bridal Couture Collection as head ap- Tormena to open his own events promo-
tive director of the Brazilian Day in New parel constructer, where later on she took tion company. He is currently in charge of
York. One of his big projects, in conjunc- over as designer in 2001. In 2003, she de- four nightclubs in New York, Juliet, Kiss
tion with the Brazilian consulate is to cided to start her solo career. She bought and Fly, Griffin, and Goldbar in addition
encourage the creation of vehicles of Bridal Couture Collection and baptized it to promoting big events such as the Brazil-
communications and community centers. Couture by Elma Reis. ian Film Festival.

36. Frederico Wagner 41. Gustavo Chacra 43. Helio de Sousa
He is one of the co-founders of Track & A correspondent in New York for O Es- A native of Minas Gerais, Helio studied at
Field, a Brazilian sports store. Fred recently tado de S. Paulo, Gustavo visits the United the University of Belo Horizonte’s Faculty
opened his first store on Madison Avenue in States since he was a little kid. As a teen- of Arts. Asked to work as a hairdresser, he
New York. With a degree in Administration ager, he lived in South Carolina and Bos- left for New York in 1977. He specialized at
from Fundação Getúlio Vargas, he has devel- ton. In 2005, at 29 years old, he earned a a cosmetology school and landed his first job
37
oped new concepts for his new store that are Master’s in International Relations at Co- at a salon for men. In 1980, he inaugurated
environmentally conscious, such as the use lumbia University in New York City. After the first unisex salon in the city. Today he is
of biodegradable items like shopping bags. graduating in 2007, he went to the Middle in charge of Concept Salon and is dedicated
35
East to work as a correspondent in the re- to his career as a painter. In August Helio
gion. In 2009, he returned to New York to exhibited his work in Minas Gerais.
42
take over as correspondent. During this
period he continued covering the crisis in
Honduras and Haiti.
37. Gandja Monteiro
Gandja is a filmmaker and started making
movies when she was just 17 years old. She
35. Frederico Sève received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from New
Seve began his career as an art dealer in Rio
36
York University. She has already written, pro-
de Janeiro with the Galeria Ipanema. In 1991,
after moving to New York with his wife, Seve
duced, and directed three short films. Recent-
ly she finished Almost Every Day (Quase Todo
42. Guto Barra
Born in Curitiba, the journalist set foot in
opened a gallery in Tribeca called Latincol- Dia), her first project in Portuguese, with the Manhattan in 1997, where he opened (with
lector. Now renamed the Frederico Sève world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in
43
journalist Ricardo Bairos) Planet Pop—a
41
Gallery/Latincollector, the gallery is com- 2009. She is currently in pre-production for media company that specializes in enter-
mitted to facilitating the dialogue between her first full-length film, a story about the ex- tainment – a dream he had since the begin-
contemporary South American artists with perience of Brazilian immigrants established ning of the 90’s, when he studied Film at
the rest of the world. Seve is an advocate of in New York in the 1980’s. New York University. Guto worked as a
the rich the rich cultural history of contem- reporter for Folha de S. Paulo, editor for the
porary art in South America and shares his
experiences via public speaking.
39. Giovanni Bianco page Modo de Vida in Jornal da Tarde, and
started his career in television at MTV a
After working for six years in Milan, Bianco
closed the Design Studio Bianco & Cucco and Go-Go. Guto also dedicates himself to the
opened his own studio in New York. His cli- production and post-production of docu-
ents include brands like Miu Miu, Missoni, and
D&G as well as the Brazilian brands Arezzo 44. Hsiang Lih Chen mentaries and television programs. 46 Jayma Cardoso
Chen has been a clinical assistant professor, Jayma moved to New York to study Biol-
and Schutz. In 2003, Bianco was the art direc- ogy at Fordham University. Her passion for
tor for a 40-page article with Madonna which obstetrician, and gynecologist since 2006 at
Mount Sinai Medical Center. Born in Taipei, the beach brought her to the Hamptons.
included photographs by Steven Meisel for W She started as a bartender and is now one
Magazine. Soon after, he was invited to par- Taiwan, she lived in São Paulo with her fam-
ily since she was five years old. She graduated of the most successful women in the enter-
ticipate at Madonna’s 2004 World Tour Re- tainment and hospitality industries. Owner
Invention. He continued to collaborate on her from Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade
40
of two of the best clubs in Manhattan, Gold
38
next two CDs, Confessions on a Dance Floor de São Paulo and specialized in Obstetrics and
Gynecology. At the end of 1992, she moved to Bar, and Cain, Jayma has a loyal clientele
in 2006 and Hard Candy in 2008. which includes celebrities like Cameron
New York where she studied reproduction
Diaz and Lenny Kravitz. She also opened a
45
and also did her residency in Obstetrics and
Gynecology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. small hotel and launched the Surf Lounge
in Montauk in the Hamptons. Jayma has
plans to develop a design boutique hotel in
São Paulo in 2012.
40 Gisele Bündchen
38. Geová Rodrigues At sixteen, Gisele made her first trip to New
Coming from a large family, Geová learned York. “From there, I started to search for
early on how to recycle clothes. After opportunities in the international market 45. Janea Padilha
working as a painter in São Paulo, a suc- and my home became an airplane,” she says. Janea is in charge of the salon J. Sisters, which
cessful career in which he was featured in Aside from currently living in Boston, her occupies three floors of a building on 57th
galleries and museums, he left Brazil in flight itinerary always includes Manhattan. Street. She has just launched the book Bra-
1988 and went to Paris. In 1992, he arrived Gisele is the highest on the list of “the zilian Sexy: Secrets to Living a Gorgeous and
46
in New York. He went back to playing with world’s most iconic models” according to
44
Confident Life, which describes the salon’s
39
clothes upon receiving an old sewing ma- the website www.models.com. The uber- day-to-day which was been open 21 years ago
chine from a friend. His first collection was model also takes on the role of social activ- by seven sisters from a family that has seven
launched in 1998 during the New York ist. She supports companies that help those other brothers. Janea was born in Linhares,
Fashion Week. He has currettly an eclectic infected with HIV and the program Fome Espírito Santo. At 13, to help with the fam-
line of accessories that are on sale at the Zero (Zero Hunger). She’s now a dedicated ily’s income. She dropped out of school to
Cynthia Rowley boutique. mom and a Goodwill Embassador for the work in the beauty industry where she
United Nations Environment Programme. learned about hair and make-up.

48. João de Matos 53. Jupira Lee 55. Jussara Lee
This native of the city of São Paulo arrived On January 1, 1989, Jupira landed in the Big Born in 1967 to Korean parents, Jussara
in the United States in 1964. In 1973 he and Apple. She was 17 years old and her mission began her career in New York at the end
his brother Francisco de Matos founded the was to study at Parsons The New School for of the 1980s when she left Brazil to study
Brazilian American Cultural Center Group, Design. But when she finished, she decided fashion at the Fashion Institute of Tech-
a company that specializes in ecological tours to dedicate herself to gastronomy. That was nology. In the 1990s, she showed her work
in South America. Based in New York, the how the restaurant Casa emerged, which at the New York Public Library and in
company has branches in New Jersey, Port brings Brazilian flavor to New York. “What Bryant Park. In 1997, she established a
47 54
Chester, Boston, and Miami. João is also I do is simple: I help to ease the longing for partnership with Yagi Tsusho, a Japanese
editor of The Brasilians newspaper and pro- Brazil and show off our culinary traditions.” company that owns the label Madame
motes the Day of Brazil, an event held annu- Grès and opened a showroom in Tokyo. In
ally in New York. Recently, Brazilian presi- 2001, Lee traded in her store in SoHo for
dent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva gave him the an atelier in the Meat Packing District.
title of Grand Commander in recognition of
his efforts to promote Brazil abroad.
49
47. Jelon Vieira 54. Jussara Korngold
Native of Santo Amaro da Purificação,
Bahia, Jelon made the Afro-Brazilian Born in the city of São Paulo, Jussara has
53 55
dance Capoeira a profession. After touring lived in the United States since February
with a dance company through Europe, 2006. Before that she lived in London for
Asia, and Africa, Vieira decided to study three years. She graduated in Economics
dance in New York, where he created a with a Master’s in Accounting Sciences. For
style of dance that unites Bahian culture 49. João Paulo Rodrigues six years, she worked in the corporate divi-
sion and in the representative office of
and contemporary art. In 1977, he launched João Paulo began tattooing ten years ago in
DanceBrazil, an Afro-Brazilian dance Chase Manhattan Bank in Brazil. During
his native Rio de Janeiro. In order to master
48
school, and teaches capoeira. He has given the following two years she was the corpo-
his technique, Rodrigues moved to New
classes to the king of soccer Pelé and rate accounts manager at American Ex-
York. He has been in New York City for 7
American movie stars such as Wesley press. She then became the vice president
years and established his own studio, which
Snipes, Eddie Murphy and Robert Wise. is frequented by a loyal customer base. For 56. Karin Dauch of corporate accounts at Citibank. Today,
she is the chief executive for Brazil Child
58. Kellen Mori
the past two years, Rodrigues has been in- When reporter and photographer Karin In 1992, dentist Kellen Mori traveled to
Dauch left her native Sao Paulo to pursue Health/Friends of Renascer in New York. the United States to learn English and
vited to conferences in Holland, England,
France, Greece, Germany, Italy, and China. a Master’s in Journalism at Columbia Uni- specialize in cosmetic dentistry. The fol-
In 2008, he won first place in the NYC Tat- versity, her plan was to stay in the US for lowing year she managed to land a job as
too Convention for Best Back-Piece. only 2 years—which turned into 12. Now the assistant to the famous dentist Jona-
based in New York, Karin is the author of than B. Levine in New York. Kellen con-
51. Jorge Pontual NewYorkforInsiders.com, worked at the tinues to work at the same office, now as a
Since 1996, he heads Globo’s news office in web design company Razorfish, founded dentist with a degree from New York Uni-
New York. He interviews people on shows and managed a web design company, and versity. The list of celebrities that go to her
Milênio and Sem Fronteiras for Globo News, constantly contributed to Brazilian publica- office is extensive: Nelson Motta, Fran-
and reports for Jornal Nacional, Fantástico tions; among those O Estado de S. Paulo, cisco Costa, Ana Beatriz Barros, Sarah
e Jornal da Globo. The journalist earned a Viagem & Turismo, and Wish Report. Dauch Jessica Parker, and Lenny Kravitz.
was also a columnist for radio stations
50
degree in Social Sciences at PUC-Rio and
BandNews and Mitsubishi FM.
52
started working at Reuters. He has worked
57
for Jornal do Brasil and TV Globo, as an
editor for Jornal Internacional and at Bloch
Editores. He also was editor-in-chief of
Jornal da Globo, and editor-in-chief of
Globo Esporte at Rede Globo.
50. Jonas Rabinovitch
Rabinovitch is the UN senior advisor in the 52. Joseph Cohen 57. Karine Basilio
areas of urban development, politics, public The turning point in Cohen life occurred
Before moving to New York in 2008, Kar-
administration and the use of communication when he studied Economics and earned his
ine earned a degree in Advertising and
and information technologies on improving Master’s degree in Business Administra-
Publicity and took photography classes in
public services. His résumé boasts 17 years of tion with a focus on Finance at Wharton
London and San Francisco. In 2000, she
work for the UN in New York. He took part School of Business at the University of
56
started photographing in São Paulo for
51 58
in urban development for disadvantaged Pennsylvania. He currently serves the vice
Grupo Abril’s women’s magazines and
populations in more than 90 countries in president of the Private Wealth Manage-
publicity agencies like Lew Lara, Oglivy,
Asia, Africa, and Latin America. His experi- ment division at Goldman Sachs and is
and Matos Grey. Now one of the rising
ences include reconstructing Kabul, Afghan- also part of the Jewish community in New
stars of fashion photography in New York,
istan, low income housing in the Maldives York. He is also very active in a synagogue
her work has been published in magazines
after the tsunami, and transportation and in New York, founded in 1654 by a group
like Harper’s Bazaar, L’officiel, Neon, Zink ,
traffic improvement in Bangkok. of 23 people who lived in Brazil.
and Vanity Fair.