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Melody is a multi-cultured and multi-disciplinary artist, writer and storyteller, experience designer and curator, singer and performer, facilitator and over-all creator, weaving together sound, story and aesthetics, into spaces, narratives and experiences that awaken, empower and inspire authentic creative expression and vulnerability. She merges her artistic and musical background with her creative mindset and feminine drive to her work in branding, design, strategy, copywriting and communications in general, exploring the crossroad between hospitality, wellbeing/impact and community.
“Hosting women circles in Lisbon made me realize just how much weight women hold upon their shoulders, how much abuse we’re subject to, how strong and courageous we are but also how important it is for us to feel supported on this journey. The work done by FREE FREE feels completely aligned with me and I’m ecstatic to be playing a part in this mission!”
Aminata (Ami) Ndow is a Belgian-Gambian historian, collector of relics of lost time, and lover of stories in its various formations (sound, image, moving image, textile, written word, …), who strives always to learn how to be a better aide in the struggle against oppression of any kind in any place. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Antwerp and a master’s degree in History from Ghent University. She is the co-founder of Black History Month Belgium and the African Student Union at the University of Antwerp. Currently, she is a second year PhD Student in the Department of African and African American Studies and the Department of Anthropology at Harvard University studying the affective and political responses to extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances in the Gambia in the wake of the dictatorship.
“My goal as coordinator of the Free Free Club at Harvard is to explore the fears that keep women from being and feeling free. When asked what freedom meant to her Nina Simone responded: “no fear.” We live in a world where fear is inevitable and ubiquitous: fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of abandonment, fear of abuse, fear of retaliation, fear of death, fear of the unknown, etc. For me the Free Free Club is about motivating ourselves and inspiring others to take that first leap — not pacified by fear — to make a change in our individual lives, in our communities and in the world at large.”
Christina Williams is a journalist and lover of fashion, tech, and politics. She currently works as a Homepage Producer at BBC. She has also held positions at The New York Times’ Wirecutter, The New York Post, and Engadget. She is also pursuing an International Relations degree at Harvard University. Her extensive career has heightened her dedication to women’s empowerment and equality. She believes women can do anything. And, she is determined to help them do it.
Earlier this year, she joined Free Free as its New York Coordinator. She is blown away by its mission to evoke change and to reach real people. She believes in the power of art and celebrates its ability to change the world. Through art, everyone can reflect, grow, and inspire. She is determined to use the universal tool to empower and support women of all ages. Since New York is the cultural melting pot of the world, she thinks it’s a great place to start.
Barbara, a London-based Creative Director, blends her Italian-Nigerian heritage into her award-winning work. Starting in fashion under Angela Marcato, she advanced in London with luxury brands like Diana Von Furstenberg and Marni, and in Paris with V Studio Group, working with Chanel and Balenciaga. Returning to London in 2014, she earned a BA in Creative Fashion Marketing at UEL, excelling in Art Direction. Her global portfolio includes film, TV, advertising, and music projects for Netflix, Channel 4, and artists like Wizkid. She’s also a skilled set designer and producer, with film credits and fashion editorials for Vogue, Elle, and GQ Turkey. Barbara embodies style and innovation, living by Bukowski’s ethos of style as a distinct way of being.
Philippa Morgan is the Global Partnerships Director of FreeFree, a chief content editor and strategic consultant for luxury fashion/beauty brands.Philippa was previously at Condé Nast Publications where she joined in 2008 and had several roles including Chief Digital Editor of Vogue Arabia and Head of Planning/Acting Editor-in-Chief at Vogue Global Network. In her most recent position at CN, Philippa was Global Director of Content Planning & Editorial Director (GQ + VOGUE Licensing). She built and led a team of content planning managers across Condé’s global titles for Architectural Digest, CN Traveller, GQ, VANITY FAIR, VOGUE and oversaw the editorial direction of 25 GQ and VOGUE editions, including the launch of Vogue Philippines in September ’22. Philippa has lectured for CN College of Fashion & Design for 8+ years, and led courses for The Guardian Masterclasses and Soho House Group; alongside being featured on SHOWStudio and 3DD TV productions as a fashion/culture subject matter expert.
Fernando Maskobi is a dedicated multimarket Finance & Strategy executive based in NYC with 15+ years of experience in Forbes 500 multinationals.
He is currently Financial advisor and CFO, investor, public speaker, and columnist. Previously, Fernando was part of Walmart’s Global Finance team for almost 10 years where he has served as a divisional CFO for Apparel’s DTC’s at Walmart USA (San Francisco, CA and New York, NY) and as Head of Finance of Walmart eCommerce Brazil (São Paulo, SP). Prior to Walmart, Fernando worked at KPMG Advisory for several years leading engagements in the USA, LatAm and European countries.
In 2017, Fernando was the award recipient for “Finance Executive Revelation” by IBEF in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
He is passionate about the theme regenerative economy and financial democratization holding a master’s degree in economics from Lift Economy, San Francisco, CA and degrees in Business and Accountancy with extension in Politics and Financial Market as well as an Executive Certificate in Strategy from Harvard Business School.
“Free Free is authentic, inspiring and offers exactly what the worlds needs today.”
Carolina Aldrovandi is a marketing and communication specialist with 20 years of experience in different areas of fashion, among the most competitive markets between Europe and the USA. She is a successful entrepreneur and strategic consultant for branding, media and communications. After almost a decade of studies and research in personal development, Kundalini yoga, trauma informed education and olistic health, she is serving as an advisor of several projects in the wellness industry.
She joined Free Free because she believes in the central role of education in the evolution of humanity as well as the cathartic transformative power of fashion and art.
Sharon Loerzer is a certified Sa’Sen Yin Therapist, family counsellor, couple’s therapist, parenting expert and founder of the Family Evolution Center in Santa Eulalia, Ibiza.
She is dedicated to the well-being of our most basic component of society, the Family. Regardless of the form or dynamic of any family, whether biological, chosen, or team-based, we can attain balance and support within, for each family member.
Clearly, this can take some work on the part of the family/team members, and this is where Sharon offers support and guidance with courses, programmes and one on one sessions.
She is an enthousiastic parent and grandparent, with 3 adult daughters and 5 grandchildren.
Her 30 years of clinical practice have given her expertise in the areas of conscious parenting, child development, couples communication, working parents, blended families, separation and divorce and co-parenting.
Through her background of intensive training at the Sa’Sen Yin School for Therapists, she has an acute ability for diagnosis and understanding the causes of any situation, pattern or ailment.
Brooke Waterhouse is a visionary entrepreneur with a passion to support and vitalize arts and culture. She is the cofounder of POR:TA association in Portugal that has the mission of supporting young artists. Brooke has 15 years of experience in the art industry, as the founder of Project One, a contemporary art and sound gallery based in San Francisco, and The House of Water, her own art & culture advisory firm. Brooke is also an investor in Verisart, a company that ties art authenticity to blockchain. She has served on the boards of non-profit organizations dedicated to bringing art programs to children, schools, and public spaces such as Yerba Buena Center of the Arts in San Francisco and currently sits on the Board of Directors of Slide Ranch. She is also an Honorary Member and part of the advisory board of Free Free, a global award winning organization that works for the physical, emotional, and financial freedom of girls and women.Brooke is a humanitarian that supports projects in the Sacred Valley of Peru as well as in Dharamshala, India.
Valéria Scarance is a public prosecutor specialized in Gender and Combating Violence against Women. She collaborated in the elaboration of the article of criminal types of disobedience of protective measures for the Maria da Penha Law. Author of the books “Lei Maria da Penha: o Processo Penal no Caminho da Efetividade” and “Tortura e Prova no Processo Penal”. Author of legal articles with the theme of feminicide, violence against women and writer of the brazilian newspaper Carta Forense. Coordinator of the MPSP Gender Department. Master and PhD in Law from PUC-SP, where she also works as Professor of Criminal Procedure and research coordinator of Gender and Violence studies. Has a specialization in Victimology from the IUC in Croatia. In 2013, represented Brazil at the UN, in Bangkok, to approve a Manual for Action on Violence against Women. In 2014, she was invited by the US Department of State to participate in the “Combating Domestic Violence” exchange program. Coordinated the specialization course in Criminal Law at CEAF-ESMP, where she also served as Secretary Counselor of the Superior School of the Public Ministry between 2014/2016.
Entrepreneur since 2013, she founded the first Brazilian company of educational and corporate experiences in Africa, called Go Diáspora, which later originated ID Experiências, where she was the CEO. Was nominated for the Women Who Transform Award by Grupo XP, in the Entrepreneur of the Year category, in 2021. She has lived and worked in multinationals in the US, India and Russia. In South Africa, worked on projects related to the reality of black people inside and outside Africa. She was coordinator of New Economy and Territorial Development at Fundação Tide Setúbal, where she developed a peripheral business acceleration program. In 2022, took over the leadership of Google Brazil’s experience and relationship center, called Partner Plex, with the mission of making it the main innovation and C-level engagement hub in the country, where Google and marketing market specialists come together to solve pressing challenges faced by clients leaderships.
Daniela Cachich is the President of the Beyond Beer business unit at Ambev and manages the portfolio of alcoholic beverages in addition to beer, such as Beats, Mike’s and Isla mixed drinks.
Previously, Daniela was epsiCo Foods Brazil’s Marketing Vice President for almost 5 years, where she was responsible for the portfolio of snack brands such as Doritos, Lays and Ruffles.
With passages through leading consumer goods companies, Daniela accumulates experiences in building brands and categories, with proposals that challenged the status quo positively impacting society. She held positions in Innovation and Marketing, in operations in Latin America and Brazil.
She is a member of the Advisory Board of Grupo Boticário and Instituto FreeFree, a social organization that works with cycles of freedom for girls and women who have suffered violence, through professional training and recovery of self-esteem. Daniela also serves as a member of Insper’s Marketing Board.
Daniela was recognized by AdAge as Women to Watch (2014), Best Marketing Professional in Brazil by Caboré (2015), Most Influential Marketing Professional in Brazil by the M-List Award (2018), Marketing Professional of the Year by the Mobile Marketing Association America Latina (2018), she is on the List of the 20 Most Influential Women in Brazil and List of the Best CMOs in Brazil by Forbes (2020) and is a Columnist for FastCompany Brazil.
Giulia Be is an emerging Brazilian pop artist. She was nominated for the Latin Grammy as “Best New Artist” in 2021 being the youngest artist in the category. She debuted in 2022 as an actress at Netflix with “Beyond The Universe”, reaching the top 3 most watched films at Netflix Global. Giulia was named Forbes Under 30 and has a strong presence on social media, with millions of monthly listeners and followers. She has collaborated with brands such as Dior, Fendi, Gucci and Paco Rabanne.
Yasmine McDougall Sterea is the founder and CEO of Free Free. She was an editor at Vogue for 11 years working with Rihanna and Kim Kardashian while collaborating with brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Uniqlo. She has completed a graduate program in Social Justice at Harvard, has spoken at the Brazilian Congress and done workshops for domestic violence victims and femicide survivors around the world. In 2020 she won the Woman of the Year award by Glamour and in 2021 was named one of the entrepreneurs to follow by FORBES.
Vanessa Ford is an award-winning film/tv producer, STEAM advocate and entrepreneur.
Soon after earning a Masters of Tropical Medicine/Global Health from Oxford University, Vanessa Ford used filmmaking to raise awareness and drive change in public health, producing a documentary on HIV/AIDS in Kenya. She then moved onwards to Hollywood, working as a producer for a boutique mini major film studio and a part of releasing a string of critically acclaimed films with Quentin Tarantino and Stephen Frears.
She is currently the COO of Africa-based media and tech startup Kukua and executive producer of their first African kid superhero series, Super Sema, starring and co-executive produced by Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o. The NAACP-nominated, YouTube Originals series has attracted over 90 million views worldwide and follows the adventures of an extraordinary African girl who uses STEAM superpowers to save her village from an evil AI tyrant. The franchise has expanded to consumer products, books, and soon immersive digital experiences that equip children with STEAM skills.
Ford and her initiatives have been featured on the covers of Forbes Africa (2022 Most Influential Entrepreneur Making a Difference) and Canadian Business (2022’s Top Canadian Entrepreneur to Watch) as well as Bloomberg, Washington Post, Variety, Essence, People Magazine, Apple’s App Store Feature, CNN, and other international publications. She is a leader in diverse storytelling and an advocate for BIPOC female representation in STEM, and delivered the keynote at the largest tech conference in North America, Web Summit’s Collision.
Born in Canada to Jamaican parents, she lives in Portugal with her husband and three children.
Dr. Joan Johnson-Freese is a University Professor and former Chair of the National Security Affairs Department at the Naval War College (NWC). She has also been part of the Government Department faculty of Harvard Extension School and Harvard Summer School since 2004, where she teaches courses on Women, Peace and Security, Leadership in War and Peace, and Grand Strategy and US National Security.
As a political scientist and educator, her research has focused on space security and Women, Peace and Security. She has testified before Congress on multiple occasions about space issues, served on the National Academy of Sciences Space Studies Board and the Advisory Councils of the Secure World Foundation and Breakthrough Starshot. She regularly works with media including CNN, NPR, The New York Times, ABC, CBS, and Time Magazine on these topics.
After studying Art History and Economics at Barnard College, Columbia University, Michelle began her career in the cultural arts and fashion industry. She has over 15 years of experience across fashion media and advertising. She began her career at LIPMAN creative studio in New York, and went on to work as the Creative Producer for renowned fashion photographer Mario Testino. She went on to found Semaine, what began as a cutting edge digital media, that has now become a multichannel, mission driven print and online media. Semaine puts storytelling at its heart, featuring Tastemakers from diverse backgrounds–environmentalists, musicians, chefs, writers, mycologists, and activists. To date, Semaine has produced over 100 films that tell the stories of these illuminating figures. Semaine published its first book, How to be a Tastemaker in 2021 by Gestalten that highlighted some of its captivating profiles. Each is an immersive insight into the lives and philosophies of these Tastemakers with the hopes of encouraging small positive changes to live in a way that is kinder to the planet and those around them. Michelle is passionate about people, and telling their stories, and using her diverse background to create a media group that is truly purpose driven. Michelle is also the founder of Vie Studios, the sister agency to Semaine that shares the same mission but works with Tastemakers, Non-Profit Organizations and Commercial Clients on special projects. Michelle was born and raised in the United States, before moving to London and now resides in Paris.