Luciana Martinelli

Luciana Martinelli is a graduate of business administration for the PUC/SP. Co-founder and executive director of the Social enterprise Aracati and fellow Ashoka of since 1999. Delegate for the Inter-American Development Banks on the subject of youth. Coordinator and consultant for educational youth projects such as the Gincana da Cidadania and Heliópolis dos Sonhos besides having experience in projects in the áreas of communication and social mobilization.

The following is her profile as a Fellow of Ashoka to be found here

Luciana began working on health and education projects in the slum of Real Parque in São Paulo when she was fifteen years old. She then volunteered with PRAIDS, Green Cross, SOS Mata Altantica, Garulhos Association, and two public schools.

Before going to university, Luciana launched her first project: an English course in the poor neighborhood of Buraco Quente. While English was the "topic" of interest to the residents, Luciana used it as a way to discuss issues such as drugs, sexuality, Aids and related problems. The project was taken up by volunteers and spread to neighboring communities.

In 1996, while at university, Luciana organized the Learn, Act and Transform Project. Its aim was to stimulate discussion about social issues in Brazil and to involve university students in volunteer projects. Transform's work continues, and Luciana is the head of its board of directors.

In 1997, while still a university student, Luciana started as an administrative assistant at the Institute for the Support of Children and Teenagers with Kidney Disease. She developed a telemarketing system to raise money and was eventually put in charge of human resources for this seventy-three-person organization.

A description of the NGO Aracati of which she is executive director can be found here

A further profile of Luciana and Aracati and be found on Changemaker's site: http://www.changemakers.net/journal/04august/fallender.cfm