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About me

Hello! I am Nana, and I advocate for social justice, gender equality, sexual and reproductive rights, and human rights for all. I want to be part of the change the world needs.

 

I have always wanted that - It is one of the reasons why, decades ago, I chose to study journalism - in addition to my ability to express myself, my passion for writing, and my multiple interests in life. All these elements remain with me today and are channelled into my professional work.

 

After studying journalism at USP (2010-14), I completed my MA in Gender and Development with a Chevening scholarship (2018-19) because at that point, I was already primarily working towards gender equality. This commitment has been regionally and nationally recognised, which I am very proud of (for instance, I was considered one of 100 inspiring women of 2016 in a list by Think Olga).

 

I have over 10 years of experience in strategic communication and project management, working in newsrooms, agencies, and writing a column for a major Brazilian media outlet, amongst other things. I have been in the third sector since 2017, working in communication, projects, and political articulation. My working languages are Portuguese, English and Spanish.

 

At the Sexuality Policy Watch, a forum that brings together research and activism at the transnational level and where I currently work, my responsibilities include managing research and training projects, as well as conducting analysis, political advocacy, and institutional development efforts.

 

I thrive in collaborative and multicultural environments, and I'm known for my ability to organise, analyse, manage deadlines, and communicate with different stakeholders, such as social movements, academia, governments, and international mechanisms. My goal is to lead initiatives focused on transformation and social justice.

 

In terms of personal projects, I've had podcasts, blogs, YouTube, chaired student societies, and since 2024, I've created a small writing club. I'm always learning something new and taking courses.

 

You will find a summarised CV below. Some of my work can be seen in the ‘Texts’ and ‘Projects and Campaigns’ sections.

 

To find out more about me, my work or ask me questions, write to me at nana@soaresnana.com

CV

Languages

Portuguese - Native

English - Fluent

Spanish - Advanced

French - Elementary

Libras (Brazilian Sign language) - Elementary

Education

2018 - 2019

University of Sussex / Institute of Development Studies | MA Gender and Development

With distinction. Dissertation on LBQ women's access to health. Chevening scholar.

2010 - 2014

University of São Paulo (ECA-USP) | Bachelors in Communications

Electives on gender and sexuality. Final project: book on gender violences.

Work Experience

2021 - Present

Sexuality Policy Watch (SPW) - Project Officer

  • Project management in research, political advocacy, training, or capacity building. Coordination of teams, contracts, monitoring of deliverables, planning and organisation of events, technical and narrative reports, and strategic planning.

 

  • Research and political analysis: development of strategic documents for advocacy, regular conjunctural analysis.

 

  • Development and management of institutional communication strategies, coordinating content production.

 

  • Institutional relations and strategic articulation: Engagement in inter/intra-sectoral coalitions and other advocacy spaces. Building and nurturing strategic partnerships

2020 - Present

Ação Educativa [Educational Action] - Project and communication assistant/ Guest Reporter

  • (2020-21) Public mobilisation (over 100,000 signatures in a petition) and other advocacy actions; planning, support and promotion of webinars, news reports, social media management, strategic meetings with partners and advisors, podcast scripts and interviews, drafting of call for proposals and subsequent selection.

 

  • (2021 - present) Monthly in-depth news reports for Ação Educativa, republished in national and international media outlets. Focus on educational policies, combating conservatism in education; promotion of gender, race and sexuality agendas.

2015-2022​

Freelancer - Communication, Journalism, Consultancy and Research

  • Stories focusing on girls' and women's rights, LGBT+ rights, published in media outlets such as Gênero e Número, Editora Globo, and Editora Abril.

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  • Strategic institutional communication for social projects, focused on brand strengthening and content production: Article 19 Brazil; Força Meninas; Programaria, Itaú Mulher Empreendedora. Communication campaigns, such as #ConexõesQueSalvam, with Facebook and Think Olga, to address and fight online sexist violence.

 

  • Consulting and training in gender equality, media representation, violence and inclusive communication. With AlmapBBDO, 99jobs, 99 (urban mobility).

 

  • Research and knowledge production focused on public policies and media. With Instituto Rede Mulher Empreendedora, Agência Patrícia Galvão, Think Olga

2015-18

Estadão - Columnist / Trainee in Economics Journalism 

  • (2015) Trainee at the 5th Estadão Economic Journalism Programme. Reported on various subsections. Winner of Estadão Journalism Award 2015, ‘Services’ category.

 

  • (2015-18) Columinst: Weekly articles on gender inequality and related topics, with a critical approach and accessible language. Widely debated articles, which have been used as input for legislative documents, teaching materials, among others. They have been publicly shared by activists, artists, academics and politicians, including former President Dilma Rousseff while in office.

2017

Portal Aprendiz - Reporter

  • Reporting on the right to the city and public spaces, education, and democracy.

  • Event coverage.

2016 - 2017

A2ad agency - Communications assistant

  • Management of the official Twitter Media Brasil account, disseminating best practices and tools for the platform.

  • Institutional and strategic communication (internal and for clients), building and strengthening brands (responsible for texts and social media).

2016

Twitter Brazil - Content Curator

  • Real-time content curation during the Rio 2016 Olympics, achieving engagement above the international and historical average.

  • Identification of trends on the platform.

2015

Observatório do 3Ëš Setor [Third Sector Observatory] - Reporter

  • Stories on the third sector ecosystem. Interviews, writing, editing..

  • Research and scriptwriting for radio (2-hour programme, twice a week).

2013 - 2014

Educar para Crescer (Educating for growth) - Journalism intern

  • Reporting on education and related topics.

  • Social media planning, content and community management (>1 million followers)

  • Planning and development of booklets, games, and other support materials.

2012 - 2013

Agência de Notícias da Aids [Aids News Agency] - Journalism intern

  • Coverage of HIV/AIDS in its social and scientific dimensions, and related topics: LGBT+ movements, fighting racism, sexism, and LGBTphobia; macro politics.

  • Real-time event-coverage.

2011 - 2012

Agência USP de Notícias [USP News Agency] - Journalism intern

  • Stories about research produced at the university, promoting Brazilian science and scientists. Material republished in other national media outlets.

  • Scripting and recording spots for Rádio USP (about 2 minutes each).

Other courses

2025

Communication and Mobilisation for Causes

Advocacy Hub

2020

Public Health based on Evidences

Unicamp

2017

Gender, Development and Human Rights

University for Peace/UN 

2017

360° content for brands 

SP Digital School

2015

International Women's Health & Human Rights

Stanford University (MOOC)

2015

Microeconomics and Finances

FGV/Estadão

2015

Gender Studies

FFLCH/USP

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