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About
The American Society of São Paulo (AmSoc) is a civil, nonprofit association proudly founded on May 10, 1950.
The American Society of São Paulo promotes connections by organizing social, cultural and athletic events for its diverse membership, encourages integration with Brazilian society and supports American traditions, philanthropy and volunteerism.
Our Pillars
In-Person Social Events & Networking
We create opportunities for members to connect, build friendships, and expand professional networks through a variety of social gatherings, familyfriendly activities, and business mixers.
Philanthropy &
Volunteerism
Giving back is at the heart of AmSoc. We support local charities and encourage members to engage in meaningful volunteer opportunities that make a lasting impact on our host community.
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American
Traditions
From Thanksgiving to Fourth of July, we celebrate classic American holidays and cultural traditions, helping members feel at home while sharing these customs with the broader São Paulo community.
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Connecting people, cultures & stories.
What We Do
HOST ENGAGING NETWORKING EVENTS
We offer several networking events throughout the year including our very popular series How I Built This in Brazil and Let’s Connect. Past sessions have included events with Mercado Livre founder Stelleo Tolda, and Pantys founder Emily Ewell.
PROVIDE ACCESS TO RESOURCES
Our members have access to our membersonly WhatsApp group, a perfect channel for socializing and finding much-needed resources. Additionally, as a member you will receive our annual Resource Guide.
MAKE AN IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY
Being abroad doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Halloween and all of the other American traditions you enjoy. You will also have the chance to learn more about Brazilian culture and São Paulo. Through events like Samba & Feijoada and organized tours of São Paulo, we help members better connect with the Brazilian community.
CELEBRATE CUTURAL TRADITIONS
We offer several networking events throughout the year including our very popular series How I Built This in Brazil and Let’s Connect. Past sessions have included events with Mercado Livre founder Stelleo Tolda, and Pantys founder Emily Ewell.
GET ACTIVE
Be it youth or adult sports, we offer several fun events throughout the year to help members connect, get active and have a great time.
Volunteer Executive Committee
Volunteer Board Members by Committee
Volunteer Advisors
COMPLIANCE OFFICER
Isabel Franco
FISCAL AFFAIRS / NOMINATIONS
Richard Wegman
Staff
The Eric Poliak Award
The Eric Poliak Award is the highest honor granted by the American Society of São Paulo (AmSoc), created in memory of Eric Poliak, a former governor and president of the organization, known for his strong spirit of community service.
Since 1984, the award has been presented annually to someone who stands out for making significant contributions to the São Paulo community. Originally limited to American citizens, starting in 2024 it will also be open to members of any nationality, reflecting AmSoc’s diversity.
Nominations take place in March, submitted by society members and reviewed by a special committee composed of board members and past recipients. The winner is announced during the AmSoc Annual General Meeting in April, celebrating leadership and community service.
RECIPIENT FOR 2024: MALCOLM MACDONALD
In 2024, Malcolm Macdonald received the Eric Poliak Award for his outstanding service to the American Society of São Paulo (AmSoc). A member since 2017, Malcolm quickly became an active leader, serving as Campinas Chapter Chair, Vice President, and Acting President during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He played a key role in modernizing AmSoc’s operations, introducing new technologies for membership, events, and communications that improved efficiency and financial stability. His efforts helped the Society survive the pandemic and thrive afterward.
Beyond his leadership roles, Malcolm founded and moderates the AmSoc Members’ WhatsApp group, maintains the website and ticketing systems, and consistently supports community and charity initiatives.
As the first non-American recipient of the award, Malcolm exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism, dedication, and service that defines AmSoc’s mission, proving that true community impact transcends nationality.