Sarah Clegg, Charge D'Affaires at the British Embassy, Diana Daste, Cultural Engagement Lead at the British Council, with Study UK Alumni Awards Brazil Winners 2025

The British Council is delighted to announce the winners of the Study UK Alumni Awards 2025 in Brazil. The awards ceremony took place on Thursday, 20 February, at the British Embassy in Brasilia and was hosted by Sarah Clegg, Charge D'Affaires at the British Embassy, and Diana Daste, Cultural Engagement Lead at the British Council.

During the ceremony, alumni from various UK universities were recognised for their outstanding achievements as business professionals, entrepreneurs, innovative creators, and community leaders, as well as for their contribution to strengthening ties between the UK and Brazil.

Study UK Alumni Awards 2025 Brazil Winners

Business and Innovation Award

Was presented to Mayra Souza, Global Trade Director at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), alumna of University of Birmingham. With over 20 years of experience in reducing trade barriers and improving market access, Mayra Souza is a trade expert who leads global trade advocacy and compliance at IFF in Brussels. She advocates for sustainable and equitable practices and drives transformative change through multi-pronged collaboration. An award-winning professional and D&I champion, Mayra holds specialisations from Harvard Kennedy School, University of Birmingham, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Culture and Creativity Award

Was presented to Mark Plotyczer, owner and director of Tiebreak Sports and Scholarships and Tiebreak School, alumnus of the University of Essex. Through his dual citizenship, Mark Plotyczer joined Team GB and competed in volleyball at the London 2012 Olympics. Living in 10 countries, playing professionally, and studying for a Masters in the UK has shaped his entrepreneurial journey. Mark runs two companies that help over 350 student athletes secure scholarships and is preparing a third. He's proudly inscribed on the University of Essex Wall of Fame as a distinguished alumnus.

Science and Sustainability Award

Was presented to the co-founder and CTO of MOBE Bio, Marina Belintani, alumna of Royal College of Art. Marina’s startup uses Brazilian flora to create next-generation materials. Recognised by Bloomberg and the Financial Times and awarded in initiatives such as Climate Launchpad in 2022, Marina‘s work has been showcased at events like London Design Week in 2023.

Social Action Award

Was presented to the Attorney-General of the National Treasury of Brazil, Anelize Almeida, alumna of University of Oxford and a Chevening scholar. Anelize is involved in formulating legal strategies for cases that impact 30% of the national GDP, as well as contributing to initiatives such as tax reform and the ecological transformation plan. The second woman to hold the position of Attorney-General of the National Treasury of Brazil, she is responsible for 4,500 professionals and leads projects such as women’s mentoring and racial diagnosis.

Sarah Clegg, Charge D'Affaires at the British Embassy, welcomed the guests. The ceremony was attended by members of the national jury for the awards: Amanda da Cruz Costa, Climate Activist and Founder of Perifa Sustentável, Heloisa Pisani, Manager of International Affairs at SESC Sao Paulo, Rafael Andery, Executive-Secretary of Amazônia+10 Initiative through the São Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP and the guest speakers Fernanda Hamilton, Head of Science and Innovation British Embassy in Brazil who was a judging panel host, and Rafhael Romero Bentos, President of Oxford Alumni Brazil.

The Study UK Alumni Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of international UK alumni worldwide. These awards honour leaders who have leveraged their UK education to make significant contributions to their communities, industries, and countries. Now in their eleventh year, the Alumni Awards are truly global: more than 1,300 applications were received from alumni in over 100 countries, representing nearly 120 UK universities.

Study UK Alumni Awards 2025 finalists in Brazil were also celebrated for their great accomplishments and initiatives, including:

Business and Innovation
  • David Pires, Chief Information Officer and Founder of the entertainment company Zig, alumnus of University of Strathclyde.
  • Elton Sbruzzi, Professor of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Institute of Aeronautical Technology in Brazil and alumnus of University of Essex.
Culture and Creativity
  • Danilo Baraúna, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at São Paulo State University (UNESP) and São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), alumnus of University of Glasgow.
  • Dóris Dornelles, Associate Professor of Dance Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, alumna of University of Roehampton
Science and Sustainability
  • Alessandra Reis currently works at the Curitiba City Hall in Brazil. She is an alumna of University of Westminster and a Chevening scholar.
  • Isabella Quagliato Nogueira, Associate Consultant at Vera Solutions, alumna of Queen Mary, University of London, and a Chevening scholar.
Social Action
  • Júlia Poletine Advincula, founder and CEO of the NGO “I Wanna Tell”, alumna of University of Sussex, and a Chevening scholar.
  • Helyn Thami, healthcare management expert and the founder and CEO of HT Group, alumna of University of Birmingham and a Chevening scholar.

Further details of finalists in Brazil can be found on the British Council Americas website.

National winners and finalists in Brazil have been automatically entered into global Study UK Alumni Awards. Finalists of the global awards will be announced later in 2025 and celebrated through a digital campaign highlighting their remarkable stories and successes.

The four global winners (one per category) will be invited to the UK to support the ongoing development of their careers, reconnect with their universities and meet with Study UK stakeholders. This prestigious visit offers the opportunity for winners to enhance their international profiles, deepen their ties with the UK and foster meaningful connections with the academic community. Please visit our Study UK Alumni Awards website to find our more: www.study-uk.britishcouncil.org/after-your-studies/alumni-awards

If you have spent time studying at a UK university as an international student, you can join our Alumni UK platform today and grow your worldwide professional network.
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