After falling in love in Rio and traveling around the world with my father\'s job, my parents decided to make their American home in the sleepy town of Moraga, 1 hr east of SF. We were the first latin-American family around and my mom\'s foreign accent, ...
Being away from my very large family in Brazil was difficult for my mom (eldest of 6 and only one who ever left the city, let alone the country). So every summer break, we would pack our bags and spend 3 months in the neighborhood of Campo Grande- far ...
With Portuguese being my second language, yet not being offered in High School, I pushed my principal to allow me to take Portuguese courses at Berkeley. After gaining approval by the UC, I took two years of the most advanced Portuguese courses. It was...
After learning how to appeal to take college courses while still in High School, and separately excelling in my volleyball career, I tried out for the college volleyball team as a senior in high school. Once making a spot on the team, I had to become a...
I always knew would have to transfer to SJSU to complete my bachelors degree. Since High School I have been working towards a degree in Advertising, because I knew that\'s exactly what I wanted to do professionally (instead of pursuing a major in a broa...
In my efforts to avoid the city of San Jose, I moved to SF and commuted for nearly 2 years. SF became home quite quickly. I loved the new adventures, all the different things to do & see. Being in college and living in a city like SF was just thrilling...
I was able to secure a summer internship at a local branding agency. I was very well received and quickly became part of their full time staff. But unfortunately the dot com burst blew this bubble and the company shut down. Fortunately, I had the great...
Getting the job at Freestyle was beyond a dream come true. It was a heaven-sent gift. I remember the endless nights, nearing my graduation date, I would spend searching online for entry-level type jobs. But I was searching in the Q1 2002 bust. The wors...
McCann was the perfect place for me at this point in my career. I had been in the start ups, been in the unorganized, chaotic offices. What I was looking for was structure and support so that I could grow within my own discipline. I was able to do just...
After the 2+ years at the multi-layered, top heavy, IPG company, I was looking for something in the middle. A company that was independent (not owned by a holding company), that favored creativity to production, and that could allow me to grow from a c...
I feel in love with Amsterdam from the first day I arrived. It does feel like a 3rd home now, and I feel so lucky to be in a career that facilitates transcontinental experiences. It has been a huge growth experience in my career, to provide critical le...
Growing up in California