About Us
Connecting Brazilian Entrepreneurs to the World
With a rich legacy of 20 years in the market, the Brazilian Business Group (BBG) connects companies and professionals across Florida, with representation in Brazil, Japan, and the United States. We foster partnerships, collaboration, and education to help communities succeed in the US.
50+
Events Per Year
5
Flagship Programs
500+
Active Members
20
Years Running
Our Mission
The mission of the BBG is helping business leaders (entrepreneurs and executives) in Florida succeed in the US market by providing a strong hub of partners, connections, and qualified professionals worldwide, along with the knowledge, resources, and community they need to thrive.
Our Vision
The BBG encourages the formation of future multicultural business professionals and invests in education, networking, and professional development opportunities for its members, and focus in connecting entrepreneurs and executives growing their presence in the US market.
Who We Are
A Community Built on Purpose
The Brazilian Business Group (BBG) is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 in Florida, USA. Born from the vision of a small group of Brazilian entrepreneurs who saw the need for a structured support network, BBG has grown into one of the most respected organizations serving the Brazilian business diaspora.
We provide a platform where business owners, executives, and professionals can connect, share experiences, and find opportunities for growth. Through our events, programs, mentorship initiatives, and scholarship fund, we invest in both the present and the future of our community.
BBG serves as a bridge between Brazilian and American business cultures, helping members navigate the complexities of the U.S. market while maintaining strong ties to their roots. Our members span diverse industries — from technology and finance to hospitality, real estate, healthcare, and beyond.
Get to know BBG
ALOYSIO VASCONCELLOS
(Founder)
(Founder)
Member of the Inter-American Bar Association, Washington, DC, and the Brazilian Bar Association, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Former Vice President of Citibank NA – Brazil / USA, where he held positions in the Legal, Corporate, and Private Banking sectors; Legal and Financial Consultant for Embratel Participações SA, Brazil, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Brazilian Navy (CASNAV); Exxon Brazilian Oil Corporation and Xerox Corporation – Latin American Group, Stamford, USA.
Former President of the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida; Director of the Brazil-Central America Chamber of Commerce of Florida (BACCF); Member of the Board of Directors of United Arts of Central Florida; President of the Council of Brazilian Citizens of Florida; Director of the Portugal-USA Chamber of Commerce, New York; Director of the American Portuguese Society, New York; President of the Rotary Club, Harrison, New York. He is the founder and former president of the Brazilian Business Group (BBG).
Currently, President of Westchester International Corp. and President of the Brazil International Foundation, Florida; Member of LASA – Association for Latin American Studies; Associate Researcher at UFF – Federal Fluminense University / Institute of Strategic Studies – INEST, Brazil. Speaks English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish. Author of several published articles and speaker at universities in Brazil, the USA, and Europe, covering business and commerce; international relations with an emphasis on the integration between Brazilian diasporas abroad and Continental Brazil.
SABRINA TORRELLA
(President)
(President)
Sabrina has been a member of BBG since 2017, where she served as a Board Member, Vice President and current 2025 President.
LEONARDO RESENDE
(Vice President)
(Vice President)
With over 23 years of experience in the USA, Leonardo is an Entrepreneur and CPA specializing in Domestic and International Taxation, and Business Consulting for Small and Medium Enterprises.
ANDREA FARIA
(Executive Board Director)
(Executive Board Director)
Andrea began her professional career at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC Minas) and later joined the Sarah Hospitals Network in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where she held several leadership positions. In 1998, she assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at Airtrade Aviation and, in 2017, became Vice President of the group. With more than 28 years at Airtrade, Andrea has been a key contributor to the company’s growth and global expansion.
A recognized expert in the civil aviation industry, Andrea has worked closely with Civil Aviation Authorities across multiple countries, leading the certification, registration, import, and export of more than 400 aircraft worldwide.
In addition to her corporate leadership, Andrea is deeply committed to the Brazilian business community in South Florida. She currently serves as an Executive Board Member of the Brazilian Business Group (BBG) and has been actively involved since its founding, previously serving as Events Director, Vice President, and President during the 2012–2014 and 2019–2021 terms. She also served as President of the Brazilian Citizens Council at the Brazilian Consulate General in Miami from 2019 to 2024, Co-Chair of the International Action Team at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance (2019–2021), and currently serves as Co-Chair of Brazilian Sister Cities with Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International
Andrea Faria is married to Jay Faria and is the proud mother of Taciana and Arthur, who are the greatest joys of her life.
ELIZABETH ALDERETE
(Executive Board Director)
(Executive Board Director)
It operates in the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County areas, Orlando, Tampa, and the states of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
She is also a licensed financial consultant in the states of Florida and New Jersey. She is active in various entrepreneur support groups and is a member of the Rotary Club Boca Raton West Florida.
MONICA RIBEIRO
(Executive Board Director)
(Executive Board Director)
Monica is currently Vice President & Senior Global Banking Officer at Seacoast Bank, where she works closely with Brazilian and international entrepreneurs, families, and companies, supporting their expansion and success in the US market.
Committed to education and community impact, Monica created the Marília Ramos Ferguson Scholarship in honor of her mother’s legacy as an educator, with the mission of supporting and empowering Brazilian-American students pursuing higher education.
Originally from Rio de Janeiro and based in South Florida for more than three decades, Monica is deeply engaged in civic, philanthropic, and business leadership initiatives and is widely recognized for her ability to connect people, ideas, and institutions to create lasting impact.
MARIANA LACOMBE
(Board Member)
(Board Member)
ALESSANDRA LEME
(Board Member)
(Board Member)
Alessandra Leme is a Marketing Strategist and Journalist who designs and positions brands aligned with their purpose. Alessandra has built a professional experience at advertising agencies as well as TV networks including SBT, Discovery Channel, and HBO.
Born in the US and raised in Brazil, she holds postgraduate degrees in Broadcasting (Barry University) and Marketing (ESPM), and bachelor’s degrees in Journalism (UFBA) and Business Administration (FACS).
Since 2019, she has served on BBG’s board, contributing to amplify its mission.
She was nominated for the ABI-Inter Award (2017/18) as Best Columnist and for the Media Professional category at the Focus Brasil Awards (2020). She is also a Director of the Brazilian International Press Association (ABI Inter), a role that reinforces her expertise in media relations, aligned with her core purpose: making brands remarkable.
CAIO PRADO
(Board Member)
(Board Member)
Caio Prado is a partner at Nelson Mullins, a full-service law firm, where he provides strategic, business-oriented legal advice to high-growth companies, investors, and family offices. His practice focuses on venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, and investment funds, advising clients on complex transactions and regulatory issues.
Caio also acts as an external legal consultant for several companies, providing advice on corporate governance, litigation, trusts and assets, and securities regulatory issues, collaborating with specialized partners throughout the company to offer comprehensive legal solutions.
He holds a master’s degree in Law from the University of Chicago Law School and a law degree from the University of São Paulo.
CAMILA MYCHALCZUK
(Board Member)
(Board Member)
She began her career as a School Counselor in North Carolina after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since then, Camila has served in various education roles in both K-12 and Higher Education.
Camila moved to Florida in March 2021 and South Florida has quickly become home.
RUSSELL WEAVER
(Board Member)
(Board Member)
Our Values
What Guides Us
Integrity
We act with transparency, ethics, and respect in all our relationships and initiatives.
Collaboration
We believe in the power of partnerships and collective effort to achieve extraordinary results.
Diversity
We celebrate the richness of cultures and perspectives, creating an inclusive environment for all.
Innovation
We encourage creative solutions and new approaches to drive business growth and community impact.