Among the 100 selected applicants to participate in the program, more than 50 were members of the Aspire alumni community.
Last month, Insper — home of the Aspire Leaders Program in Brazil — hosted the São Paulo School of Advanced Science in Systems Change and Sustainability, a 10-day program that combined theoretical and hands-on activities, including expert lectures, advanced workshops, panel discussions, and case analyses. The content explored multiple perspectives from government and the private sector on sustainability.
Funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), the program offered an intensive academic immersion, bringing together students and researchers from diverse fields. The agenda explored, at an advanced level, key topics for sustainable transformation, such as theory of change, regenerative organizing, cross-sector collaboration, transformative services marketing, transversality and intersectionality, transformative operations and supply chains, venture capital, technology and sustainability, and adaptive leadership. The program aimed to integrate multiple perspectives and forms of knowledge, fostering critical reflection and contributing to the advancement of both global and local sustainability agendas.
All participation costs were fully covered by the program organizers, including travel and accommodation. Of the 100 selected participants, more than 50 were Aspire alumni. This strong alumni presence inspired Aspire to host a dedicated gathering to strengthen connections among alumni in a multicultural setting. The event featured interactive activities, networking opportunities, and a tasting of traditional Brazilian foods.
“It is inspiring to see the engagement of so many young Aspire Leaders Program participants at the São Paulo School of Advanced Science, creating projects that address major sustainability challenges across multiple contexts,” says Aline Lilian dos Santos, Director of the Aspire Institute in Brazil and Program Coordinator at Insper. “The program and the School share core values related to promoting social impact at both local and global levels, with the shared goal of developing agents of change. The event represented a unique opportunity to bring together the program’s global network, with Aspire youth leaders from more than 12 countries connecting and exchanging experiences and knowledge.”
The opening of the gathering was led by Professor Sérgio Lazzarini, Academic Vice President of Insper, Aspire Leaders Program faculty member, and Chair of the São Paulo School of Advanced Science. “I have long collaborated with and taught in the Aspire program, which has built an impressive network of students across many countries—people who are extremely motivated to learn, grow, and contribute to society,” he said.
According to Lazzarini, promoting the School within the Aspire network had a direct impact on the participant profile. “When we designed the program and opened the call for applications, we shared it with the Aspire network and quickly received a high number of applicants. Many of the selected international students came from the Aspire community and were highly engaged in the program’s discussions and debates.”
One of these participants was Teniola Oladunni, from Nigeria. An Aspire alumna from the 2023 cohort, she highlighted the role the program has played in her journey.
“I applied and was selected to come here. I am the only representative from my country,” she shared. “Aspire has truly helped me in many ways. It connected me with other people from different parts of the world, and I learned so much. I am very grateful for this opportunity.”
Letícia Pacheco, from Brazil, echoed this sentiment.
“Aspire continues to be, for me, an opportunity for connection, transformation, and leadership—both within myself and in how I can influence and transform an environment. Every day, I am deeply grateful.”
