Empowering bright young

professionals from

underserved communities.

"We support outstanding young professionals pursue impactful careers through mentorship and language upskilling, free of charge."

Renard Aron, Founder

Objective

Our objective

To accelerate the advancement of high potential individuals from low-income backgrounds by strengthening their communication and storytelling skills, developing connective thinking, and nurturing greater self-confidence.

Why

Many outstanding professionals from underserved communities have had limited insights into organizational culture, exposure to leadership skills, and access to a broad support network.

They also require English proficiency to navigate a world where clear and concise communication are prerequisites for opportunity.

Amanda Costa, Founder
Perifa Sustentável

Why

A personalized approach

We partner with each mentee to craft a fully tailored program that addresses their specific objectives and needs, ensuring that their unique history serves as a catalyst for growth.

What we do

Mentorship

We provide structured guidance and personalized support to accelerate career growth and personal development.

Connective Thinking

We foster the ability to connect disparate concepts and ideas through discussions of curated materials.

English / Communication

We integrate English language seamlessly into all components of the program, with a focus on effective communication.

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Self Confidence

We build confidence by providing a safe space for the exchange of ideas and encouraging a "can do" attitude.

Methodology

The program is structured around two core components:

Individualized Mentorship sessions consist of bi-weekly, 30-minute one-on-one sessions in English. These sessions focus on career guidance, personal growth, and building the self-confidence necessary to succeed.

Collaborative Group Meetings consist of periodic sessions in English designed to foster a sense of community and create a space for mutual support. They include presentations and external guests.

The program is fast-paced, long-term (up to two years), with substantive off-line work expected of mentees. It's built on mutual trust and requires a high level of commitment, with evaluation sessions every three months.

Augusto Almeida, Associate Google

Testimonials

Amanda Costa

Founder, Perifa Sustentável

My work mobilizing marginalized communities for climate justice in Brazil earned me recognition as a UN Young Ambassador, a Forbes 30 under 30 nomination, and many other leadership opportunities, including the Columbia Women's Leadership Network and the EU Visitors Programme. These experiences were invaluable as I built up Instituto Perifa Sustentável, the non-profit I founded in 2019. But I wanted more. I wanted to increase the Institute's advocacy efforts and study at a top international master's program. I worked with Renard for over two years to expand my advocacy tool kit and learn how to clearly define my value, present myself authentically, and improve my English. It paid off. In 2025, I was accepted at seven prestigious international universities: UC Berkeley, Duke, and UC Santa Barbara in the US and four top European programs (London School of Economics, University of Manchester, Lund University, and KU Leuven).

Augusto Almeida

Strats & Ops Associate, Google

I have a double degree in International Affairs and Economics, and am the first in my family to attend university. After gaining experience at companies, such as JP Morgan Chase, Kraft Heinz, and Speyside, I was hired as a Strategy Associate at Google. Our sessions have significantly expanded my English study habits and my approach to career development. I now actively explore scientific articles, bestselling books, and podcasts on international politics (all in English). Our discussions have helped me gain a broader perspective about the issues I care and at the same time expand my vocabulary and English fluency.

Doane Fonseca

Snr Gov Rel Consult, Prospectiva

In 2024, I was awarded a full scholarship to the Master's program in Public Administration and Government at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), one of Brazil's top institutions in the field. This achievement didn't happen by chance - it was part of a broader professional development plan that also included securing a position at a political consultancy and significantly improving my English proficiency. Through mentorship sessions with Renard, I built a clear and consistent roadmap that guided me toward successfully accomplishing each of these goals. The structured approach and his guidance made all the difference in turning my aspirations into concrete achievements.

Tayná Victória Mesquita

Advisor to Exec Dir, Brazil Fund

Renard’s support has been essential in deepening my awareness of my own journey and expanding the horizons of what I imagine possible. As a Black Brazilian woman in the process of social ascension, I’ve come to understand that technical skills and dedication alone are not enough to confidently navigate the most strategic spaces. There are codes and ways of being in the world that are not taught in business schools or books — they require lived experience, deep listening, and the qualified guidance of someone who has walked the path. With Renard, I’ve had access to that kind of learning. Our weekly conversations have helped me move with greater ambition and strategy, recognize my achievements, confront imposter syndrome, and better understand the cultural grammar of the Global North and of the spaces I want to access. These sessions have expanded, shifted, and propelled me forward. I am deeply grateful for Renard’s generosity throughout this process.

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How it all started

Midway through the pandemic, I was consulting, writing a blog, giving online courses on advocacy, and getting ready to launch a podcast. I had published a book on online advocacy, and was busy promoting it. The podcast built on the book. It featured Brazilian thought leaders who were active in the digital space. For one of the episodes, I interviewed Amanda Costa, an environmental activist from Brasilândia, in the outskirts of São Paulo. Her energy and ability to connect global environmental policy discussions to the local reality of poor urban communities caught my attention. As I continued to follow her online, we stayed in touch. When, months later, she reached out to her network asking if somebody would practice English with her, I raised my hand, and off we went. Amanda came into our first session with the same intensity that she brings to each of her many endeavours. I thought we would meet twice weekly, but she asked for daily 30-minute video sessions. We talked about her goals and ambitions, books we both wanted to read, and sometimes what this experiment could become. These conversations, which regularly lasted much longer, turned into a two-year journey. They are at the core of this initiative. In 2023, I took a leap of faith, and started to work with three additional young professionals from underserved communities. As we got to know each other, the broader contours of this project started to take shape. Clearly, I had stumbled onto an unmet need that was keeping brilliant young professionals in Brazil from achieving their full potential and having an even bigger impact on their communities. I was spending more and more time with the group and in early 2024 I decided to end my consulting activities and focus exclusively on building up the program. I doubled the cohort to eight mentees and started outlining the methodology. My hope is that you will join me and help these young professionals -- who have risen despite numerous social and economic barriers -- achieve the last mile, so that they too can help others to rise. Welcome to the project! Renard Aron, Founder

How to be part of ramp/a.

Ramp/a periodically accepts new applications. Follow my LinkedIn profile for an invitation to apply, which will detail qualification requirements and list five initial questions. Candidates who pass this first phase will participate in a video interview.

About me

I've had a few careers. I started as a geologist, working on gold exploration in Jacobina, Bahia, where we successfully located a deposit, although one without economic viability. This led to a 25-year career in government relations, starting in Washington, DC, and culminating as a regional VP in São Paulo. My third career was relatively short-lived, but extremely fulfilling: I published a book on online advocacy, launched a blog, and hosted a podcast. Now, on this latest iteration, I am helping bright young professionals from low-income communities to succeed. What I bring to the table is what ties all these experiences together: a love of strategy, models (particularly mental models), learning, and knowing to say yes when luck knocks at the door.

Email

renard.aron@gmail.com