What would you tell your younger self 20 years ago if you could?
In 2005, I landed in Brazil with a vision, a paper map, and six months to turn an idea into reality.
One of the first people I met was Fatima Amazonas, and I’ll never forget the day we met. Me, Navigating the streets and a long bus ride into the unknown with broken Português, emergency phrases scribbled on scraps of paper tucked in my pocket, and a mix of nerves and hope as I walked into her office at the World Bank.
Fast forward nearly 20 years.
A couple of weeks ago I found myself sharing a stage at a fundraiser for the NGO AFETOS. Fatima was in the audience, and I had the privilege of speaking alongside her daughter, Mariana Amazonas—an old friend and someone I’ve admired for years but rarely see.
We shared decades of stories, reflected on the future and spoke about what it will take to create lasting impact.
But what struck me most wasn’t just the conversations we had or the dreams we discussed – it was the reminder of how deeply interconnected we all are.
This full-circle moment brought me back to three powerful lessons I’ve learned again and again:
- We need others
Nothing of lasting value is built alone. Relationships—carefully cultivated across years and even generations—become the foundation for the change we create. - Patience is everything
There’s no quick fix for meaningful progress. The real magic lies in the long game: the small, steady steps that compound over time to create extraordinary outcomes. - Progress is messy
The path is rarely straight. It’s unpredictable, full of twists and turns. But when you show up consistently and lean into the relationships you’ve built, you’ll often create something far beyond what you ever imagined.
Whether in leadership, business, or life, it’s our interdependence—leaning on, learning from, and building with others—that allows us to achieve the impossible.
So, as you reflect on your own journey: What moments or connections stand out as pivotal? And how have they shaped where you are today?
