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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, family friendly 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 members-only WhatsApp community, 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
Through your membership, you can support our five children’s charities and sponsor, volunteer, and engage in events such as our Angel Party—bringing together over 250 underprivileged children each year for a fun-filled day of food, activities, and gifts.
CELEBRATE CUTURAL TRADITIONS
Celebrate American traditions abroad while embracing Brazilian culture. From Fourth of July and Thanksgiving to Samba & Feijoada and guided São Paulo tours, our events help members connect with the city and its community.
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
TBD
Dane Fredenburg
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Lila An
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Alexander James Ball
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Nancy Paez Henriques
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Renato Maluli
TBD
Caroline Gardemann,
TBD
Arnaud Bleuez
Staff
Volunteer Advisors to the Board
COMPLIANCE OFFICER
Isabel Franco
FISCAL AFFAIRS / NOMINATIONS
Richard Wegman
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, the award was expanded in 2024 to include recipients of all nationalities, reflecting AmSoc’s diversity.
Nominations are submitted by Society members and, in March of each year, are 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 2025: CHRISTINE WINKELMANN SOARES
Christine Soares has been a dedicated and deeply involved member of The American Society of São Paulo since 2018. From the beginning, she showed a natural commitment to community service, supporting both member engagement and broader philanthropic initiatives.
Over the years, Christine became a key force behind many of AmSoc’s most important activities, including community programs, fundraising events, and volunteer coordination. She played a central role in organizing the Silent Auction for major galas, strengthening donor relations, and helping ensure the success of charitable initiatives.
As Membership Chair and later as a Board member from 2023 to 2025, she focused on membership growth, retention, and creating a welcoming environment for new and existing members alike. She also co-founded and moderates the Readers Group, helping build stronger personal connections across the community.
Christine exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism, fairness, organization, and quiet leadership that defines AmSoc’s mission, leaving a lasting and positive impact on both its members and the wider community.