How do you celebrate 12 years and top voice at Linkedin?

This month marks a special milestone for my family and me: We are celebrating 12 years of living in the USA and officially becoming American citizens (and yes, ready to vote!). At the same time, I’m deeply humbled and honored to be recognized as a Top Voice in Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility by the LinkedIn , with over 11,000 followers. Your support has been crucial to make it a reality: Thank you!

Looking back on our journey from S?o Paulo to St. Louis, I’m reminded of the challenges and triumphs. Moving to a new country was not easy, but we’ve found our place through community involvement and giving back, with Bayer Foundation matching support. From supporting our local public-school foundation and green team to serving on the board of the Missouri Botanical Garden , we’ve been able to contribute in ways that are meaningful to us. We’ve planted over 400 trees, cleaned up local areas, and created a rain garden to protect our neighborhood.

Globally, I’m grateful to have supported girls in STEM through Technovation and worked with Bayer | Crop Science and amazing partners to combat hunger and advance reg agriculture while collaborating with organizations such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development . We couldn’t be more thankful:

• Alice Breternitz , my daughter, graduated cum laude from 美国芝加哥大学 last year and is now civil engagement program manager at the City Year .
• Artur is in his first year at UChicago, working as a summer intern and research assistant while supporting his peers.
• Eric, my partner, has been my rock, supporting us all through this transition while advancing automation.

For me, immigration represents a profound opportunity—it strengthens economies, fosters cultural exchange, and deepens our understanding of diverse perspective

Here are a few things I’ve learned from this experience:

• Community is Everything: Building and relying on a support network, whether locally, globally, or online, has been crucial. It helps us adapt and make a difference.
• Resilience is Vital: Embracing new environments and languages has taught us resilience and broadened our view of the world.
• Clear Motivation Matters: Knowing why you’re making a move makes it easier to face challenges with determination and patience, always

Thank you for being such a crucial part of this journey - I’d love to hear about your own experiences and insights.