Bachelor’s Degree in Pedagogy and a Licentiate in History. Founder of the Association for the Integration of the Blind in the State of Santa Catarina – local acronym, ACIC, and founder of the Brazilian Federation of Visually Disabled Educators –local acronym, ABEDEV. He is President of Honor of the Institute for the Prevention of Blindness – local acronym, PRECE, founded in Florianópolis on November 5, 2003 and was president of the National Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - CONADE. He received the 2006 Human Rights award, and in 2007, was awarded the Dom José Gomes Medal of Honor with Merit from the State Legislature of Santa Catarina

Managing partner of the Full Jazz Comunicação Group, comprising four companies dedicated to building successful and sustainable brands. Differentiated leadership in the communication sector, Brazilian and international reference in innovation and awareness in the world of media. Interested in creating and producing new, more constructive media content, she heads up the “Mercado Ético” (Ethical Market) multimedia platform (www.mercadoetico.com.br) and the “Novos Tempos” (New Times) TV program shown on the Climatempo portal and TV channel (Sky channel 102). Cristina’s career and/or thoughts have been highlighted in 20 different books.

General Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility of Yázigi Internexus, in which he works since 1995, Tieghi plays a relevant role in the area of CSR in academic institutions and social organizations. Tieghi is also the current President of AFRAS - Associação Franquia Sustentável, the social branch of ABF - Associação Brasileira de Franchising.

Since joining the IDB, Mr. Shepherd has been involved in the preparation of more than 100 MIF projects in over 24 countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region in a variety of areas such as corporate social responsibility, inclusive business, job placement opportunities for people with disabilities, clean energy, among others. He received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biology and in Environmental Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz and received Masters degrees in Environmental Studies and in International and Development Economics from Yale University.  Mr. Shepherd has lived and worked in Kenya, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador.

In 2007, he took up the position of Secretary for Employment and Labor Relations of the State of São Paulo. President of the State Program for Debureaucratization, he proposed creating the Individual Micro Entrepreneur, in effect today throughout Brazil.  In 2006, he received 8,2 million votes to the Federal Senate. President of the São Paulo Chamber of Commerce (ACSP) and of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce in the State of São Paulo (FACESP), he was at the forefront of the movement that repealed Provisional Measure 232, and launched the “Keeping an Eye on Taxes” campaign. At the head of the SEBRAE (Small Business Support Body) and the CACB (the Confederation of Commercial and Business Associations), he was responsible for the campaign that resulted in the “Simples” (simplified tax structure for small and micro companies) and in the new statute for SMEs. 

Vice president of the CONADE (The National Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities). Director of the Association of Employees of the Santander Group, Banesprev and Cabesp. Coordinator of the Collective of Male and Female Workers with Disabilities, of the CUT-SP. Representative of the CUT on the CONADE. He has been a stout defender of persons with disabilities in the labor field since 1981. Holds a position in the Vice Presidency of the CONADE, working on public policies for the segment.

University professor, Master in sociology, a postgraduate degree in marketing from the University of Texas – USA, Director of Extensions and Operations of the ESPM – Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing, coordinator of the ESPM Social, Director of Donatio Comunicação Empresarial.

Physiatrics doctor and professor at the Medical School of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro since 1984 and member of the specialist career in public policy and governmental management of the Ministry of Planning. She has been involved in the social movement of the struggle of persons with disabilities since 1977. She was president of the State Council for the Policy of Integrating Persons with Disabilities, of Rio de Janeiro. She holds the position of General Coordinator at the National Coordination Center for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities – CORDE, of the Special Department on Human Rights (SEDH) of the Presidency of the Republic since September 2002, having been the first disabled person to hold this position.

Director of the Felipe Néri Missionaries of the Divine Redemption Foundation – FUMDIR a benchmark organization in Bogotá, Colombia, whose work is dedicated to persons with disabilities or those who are socially vulnerable. Specialization in Management of Social Services Organizations, from the Luiz Amigó University, with a degree in Full Social Management from the National University of Colombia, and Manager of Quality Systems in Educational Organizations, from the Bolívar Technical University.

Antes de vir para a Goodwill em abril de 2008, Gibbons foi presidente e CEO das Indústrias Nacionais para Cegos (NIB), uma organização sem fins lucrativos que trabalha em parceria com mais de 88 agências associadas por todo o país para ampliar oportunidades econômicas e de desenvolvimento pessoal para pessoas cegas. Através de estratégias abrangentes de marketing e branding, e com uma ênfase em medidas de missão agressivas, Gibbons transformou as NIB, que têm quase 70 anos de existência, em um empreendimento social orientado para resultados com parâmetros do século 21. É Especialista em administração de empreendimento social, estratégia de programas sócio-econômicos e desenvolvimento de habilidades de liderança.

He graduated in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Pernambuco in 1976. He obtained is Masters (DEA) in Computer Science and his Doctorate (PhD) in Automation Systems from the Pierre et Marie Curie University (France). Jonio took up the position of president of Alcatel in Brazil, and was responsible for positioning the company as a supplier of services and integrated solutions, making it the leader in the supply of advanced technology to fixed operators and one the big three in providing solutions for mobile telephony. As from December 1, 2006, following the merger of Alcatel and Lucent Technologies, Jonio Foigel became president of Alcatel-Lucent in Brazil.

Orthopedic surgeon, specializing in Child Orthopedics, extensive professional experience, including teaching, research and publications, in addition to having been received awards and distinctions; experience in sports medicine, administrative and management skills developed through on-the-job experience, member of several important orthopedic and traumatology associations in Colombia and Latin America.

Born in Itapetininga, SP, Brazil, 1972; member of the firm since 1993. Education: Universidade de São Paulo School of Law. LL.M. in Corporate Law from New York University, New York, USA. Worked at Stairs, Dillenbeck, Finley & Rendon, New York, USA, from January, 1999 to May 1, 2000. Worked at Sidley Austin Browm & Wood, New York, USA, from June 2000 to May 2001. Member: Brazilian Bar Association since 1996, Attorneys Association of São Paulo and Brazilian American Chamber of Commerce of New York; FIESP's Study Group of Economic Law and CESA's Committee of Social Responsibility.

Executive Director, Art Enables, Worked for a number of years with WVSA arts connection (formerly Washington Very Special Arts), ultimately as Director of ARTiculate gallery & studio, an arts-based program for teenagers with special needs. In 2000, with the help of an extremely engaged and experienced focus group, she founded Art Enables to explore the benefits of arts-entrepreneurial programming for adults with developmental disabilities.

Médica fisiatra, Livre Docente e professora associada da Faculdade de Medicina da USP. Presidente Honorário da International Society Medicine Physical And Rehabilitation-ISPRM (Sociedade Internacional e Medicina Física e Reabilitação) e membro dos Comitês de Ajudas Técnicas da Secretaria Especial dos Direitos Humanos da Presidência da República - SEDH - Corde e Conade, e do Comitê de Humanização e Bioética do Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo. É Secretária dos Direitos da Pessoa com Deficiência do estado de São Paulo.

Psychologist and postgraduate in Knowledge Management. She is a specialist in Local Development under the Delnet Program of the International Training Center of the International Labor Organization and multiplier of the SILD methodology – Sustainable and Integrated Local Development. She is part of the Social Development team at Senac São Paulo, working on methodologies for social development and for training multipliers. She represents Senac-SP on the Parliamentary Council on Culture and Peace and on the Council of CASA Foundation, and in 2004 she received the WIZO São Paulo Award, an international entity, for her work in the third sector.

She has been a sector specialist with the Interamerican Development Bank since February of 2006, with responsibility for the conception, design, management and monitoring of projects financed by the Multilateral Investment Fund. In recent years she has worked in areas as distinct as sustainable tourism, entrepreneurial inclusion and in combating economic and social inequalities, in addition to corporate social responsibility and renewable energy. Luciana holds a Masters in Project Management from the George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland.

Began his career at SAP in 2003 as Sales Director for Large Companies at SAP Brasil, a position he held for three years. In early 2007, he took up the new challenge of Senior Vice President for Large Companies at SAP Latin America, a position he held until early 2009, when he was appointed Senior Vice Presifdent for Corporate Afrea Sales, SAP Latin America. On April 1 this year, Verdi took up the presidency of SAP Brasil. With a degree in Mathematics from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and specialization in Training/Mentoring in Manufacturing Science from MIT. 

Business Administrator, with specialization in Human Resources from the University of California – Berkeley and an MBA in Organizational Management and Leadership, from Franklin Covey - Brazil. He is currently responsible for implementing the Human and Organizational Development area at Casas Bahia, which aims to align corporate strategy and the execution thereof by the different company areas within the people management process, redeeming the principles that guided the success of the business in the recent past.

Doutora em Serviço Social pela PUC/SP e Presidente do CNAS.

Graduated in Psychology, Specialist in Social Psychology, certified by CRP SP – Conselho Regional de Psicologia (Psychology Regional Council) – São Paulo – Brazil
Post Graduation on Management of Private Social Investment - ESPM – GIFE.
Psychologist, with large experience on rehabilitation and inclusion, providing consultancy to companies and professional evaluation.
Nowadays, Director of International Relations and Social Projects of FENAVAPE – National Federation of AVAPEs, promoting approach and institutional partnerships, development of social projects, as well as the dissemination of organizational actions internationally. Responsible for the management of the International Technical Cooperation Program AVAPE, supported by IDB, Inter American Development Bank, which provides two important entrepreneurial social initiatives of the organization.
 

Ms. Parker excels in making business contacts for the purpose of developing job opportunities on behalf of job seekers; assisting job seekers learn and perform necessary job tasks; facilitating workplace accommodation, support, and integration at the workplace. Ms. Parker also facilitates workshops and training sessions for disability employment service practitioners who assist job seekers with disabilities. She has earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Sport-Exercise Psychology with an emphasis on counseling.

Electrical engineering degree from the University of Santa Cecília in Santos (1981). He did a specialization course in Social and Labor Economics at (1996) and did his Masters in Social and Labor Economics Social (2003), at the same institute of economics at Unicamp. He was Labor Relations Secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Employment, from February 2006 to March 2007 and special advisor on international affairs to the same ministry from March 2007.

Meg Mall is the Director of International Development for Goodwill Industries International (GII).  Is a skilled international development professional with hands-on experience developing sustainable programs around with extensive knowledge of Latin America, Asia and Europe. She is a collaborator and effective relationship-builder among key stakeholders; including members, private organization, other non-governmental agencies, and government.  Meg Mall also serves in the capacity of General Secretary for Workability Americas, the regional member of Workability International, an organization with members worldwide that is committed to the employment of people with disabilities.  Mrs. Mall holds a Masters in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University and a degree in International Business from Valparaiso University.

Since 2004, he has been Minister for Social Development and Combating Hunger, where he has expanded and institutionalized Brazil's social protection and promotion network by integrating the areas of social assistance, income transfer, food and nutritional security in addition to the creation of opportunities for social inclusion.

Profissional de Marketing e Comunicação, Estratégia e Criação há 39 anos. Mão na massa no Terceiro Setor, trabalhando para e com ONGs, causas e movimentos socioambientais há 19 anos. No Terceiro Setor: campanha do Programa Nacional do Voluntariado, para a Comunidade Solidária em 1997; campanha dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento do Milênio, para o PNUD e Movimento Nacional pela Cidadania e Solidariedade, em 2004. Setor 2 ½: uma fusão estratégica entre o Segundo e o Terceiro Setor, Assessoria em Comunicação Corporativa, de Negócios e de Marketing em Sustentabilidade e Responsabilidade Socioambiental.

Professional in Marketing and Communication, Strategy and Creation for 39 years. Gets involved in the Third Sector, working for and with NGOs and socio-environmental causes and movements for 19 years. In the third Sector: the National Voluntary Service campaign for the Solidarity Community in 1997; Millennium Development Goals campaign, for the UNDP and the National Movement for Citizenship and Solidarity, in 2004;. 2 ½ Sector: a strategic merger of the Second and Third Sectors, advisory in Corporate Communication, Business and Marketing in Sustainability and Socio-environmental Responsibility.).

Diretora de Cidadania Corporativa da IBM Brasil, Ruth Harada está na IBM há 36 anos, tendo atuado em diversas áreas de negócios. Nos últimos anos, passou por Software e desde 2007 atua como diretora de Cidadania Corporativa da companhia. A executiva é responsável pelo relacionamento com Instituições, ONGs e departamentos equivalentes nos clientes da IBM. Formada em Física pela Universidade de São Paulo - USP e é pós graduada em Governo Eletrônico.

Occupational Therapist from the University of Chile and Masters in Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities from the University of Salamanca. Diploma in Quality Management of Health Institutions from the University of Chile Business School. Head of Occupational Therapy of the Rehabilitation Service of the Chilean Association of Social Security, ACHS, where she has worked since 1976. Regional Vice President of GLARP - Grupo Latinoamericano para la participación, integración e inclusión de las personas con discapacidad, an international not-for-profit organization which seeks to promote quality of life for persons with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

President and teacher at the Advisory and Consultancy in Disabilities organization headquartered in São José da Costa Rica. She is Masters Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies into Disabilities at the University of Costa Rica. Occasional collaborator with the Hispanic American Association of Social Security, headquartered in Costa Rica, on the theme of disability and the elderly. Member of the Management Board of the Latin American Group for the Promotion, Integration and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities –GLARP-IIPD. Holds a Degree in Economic and Social Sciences, with Specialization in Social Services, from the University of Costa Rica.

Graduated in Pedagogy, since 1980 he worked for the Opera Don Calabria, an Organization of providing training, care and assistance in Verona Italy, as Executive Secretary first and then as Director of the Research Center. From 1999 to 2008 he was Director of the Don Calabria Centre for medical rehabilitation, social integration, vocational training and sport for people with disabilities in Verona and from 2004 to 2007 he was President of the Brussels based European Platforms for Rehabilitation (E.P.R.). Since 2004 he is contract professor of "Sociology of Culture and Communication" to the specialist degree course in adapted physical activity at the Faculty of Kinesiology 'University of Verona, and since 2005 he is President of the Civic Institute of Social Service – ICISS, a Public Institutions for assistance and charity based in Verona, which carries out social and education activities for children, elderly and people with disabilities. From May 2009 he is was Director of a new Ltd Company, Veneto Investimenti Sociali, that develops the full range of social services to people, from planning to building to managing.

Holds a Psychology Degree and is a Postgraduate in Human Resources, Hospital Management and and Psychology of Persons with Disabilities. With 25 years professional experience, she is President of AVAPE – Association for Valuing Persons with Disabilities, Founder and Member of the IES –Brazilian Institute of Social Entrepreneurship, Founder and Fiscal Director of Via Viva.

Vanessa Ramirez holds a Modern Languages degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia. She has worked in the education field for 4 years, As from 2007, she became involved with the Foundation of the Americas, working on projects with vulnerable populations, principally initiatives involving persons with disabilities, young people and victims of violence. Ever since she started at the Foundation of the Americas, of the OAS, she has supported implementation of the POETA program (Program for Employment Opportunities through Technology in the Americas) in 12 countries of the hemisphere, which benefits persons with disabilities and young people at risk, and for the last year she has coordinated the execution of the “Minha Chave”, (My Key) project, which includes new opportunities for the population affected by the conflict on Colombia territory. She is currently in charge of supervising the operation of the Trust’s programs in Colombia, Argentina and, in the near future, Brazil.