Origin Story
From São Paulo to Los Angeles
Leonardo Reis arrived in Los Angeles in January 1994 as a cultural exchange student. What began as a year abroad became a lifelong mission: mastering the English language and teaching it to the world.
Born in Belo Horizonte, raised in São Paulo
Exchange student, 1994 — chose America as home
Resides in Manhattan, New York
Academic Credentials
Education & Certifications
A foundation built across three continents — Brazil, the United States, and Europe — spanning linguistics, business, and education.
Colégio Objetivo
BrazilHigh School Diploma
Cultural Exchange Program
USACultural Exchange Program
Emílio Fontana
BrazilActing, Television, and Film Course
UNI-BH
BrazilBachelor's Degree — Languages and Literature
University of Leeds
EnglandMaster's Degree — Linguistics
University of Leeds
EnglandMaster's Degree — Teaching English
Columbia University
USASpecialization in Business English
Columbia University
USASpecialization in English Phonetics and Phonology
Columbia University
USASpecialization in Educational Technology in the Classroom
Career
Roles & Experience
Over three decades of teaching, coaching, and building — from São Paulo classrooms to Manhattan boardrooms.
Columnist
CNN Brasil
Brazil / USA
Founder & CEO
American English Academy
USA
Author
Sociolinguistic Aspects of Brazilian Portuguese
USA
English Teacher
Number One Idiomas, Centro Universitário de Belo Horizonte
Brazil
English Teacher
Zoni Language Center, New York Language Center
USA
Portuguese Professor
Montclair University
USA
English Professor
Hudson College
USA
Reporter
Record News, Rede Brasil TV
USA
Consecutive Interpreter
United Nations, Hospitals, Courts, Conferences
USA
Servicemember
United States Air Force
USA
New Book
Sociolinguistic Aspects of Brazilian Portuguese
An academic exploration of language, identity, and culture in Brazilian Portuguese, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
ORGANIZATIONS SERVED
Institutional Clients
United Nations (UN)
Consecutive Interpreter
Federal Courts
Certified Interpreter
Record News
Reporter, New York
SBT
Reporter, New York
Rede Brasil de Televisão
Reporter, New York
notable studens
Athletes & Celebrities
Athletes & Celebrities
Neymar Jr.
Football
Cafu
Football
Felipe Melo
Football
Denílson
Football
Reinaldo Lima
Football
Egídio
Football
César Menotti
Football
Renzo Gracie
Martial Arts
Marcella Kozinski
Miss Brasil / Miss Universe
Arthur Aguiar
Entertainment
Luciana Vendramini
Entertainment
Ariadna Arantes
Entertainment
Fernanda Crispim
Entertainment
Tayla Teodoro
Entertainment
Izabella Bicalho
Entertainment
Kamily Zor
Entertainment
Thaeme
Music
Lauana Prado
Music
Fernando & Sorocaba
Music
Scheila Carvalho
Entertainment
Lucas Salles
Entertainment
Daniel Curi
Journalism
Social Impact
Scholarships Donated
7,250+ courses donated to communities, NGOs, and public institutions
English courses donated to vulnerable communities
Rocinha and Vidigal
Mangueira, Cidade de Deus, Providência, and Alemão
ONG PLT4WAY
Brazilian Red Cross
Alliance of Mercy
Hope and Justice Foundation
Brazilian Consulate in Miami
Projects, Partnerships & Institutions
Beyond individual coaching, Leonardo has partnered with major football clubs, law enforcement, martial arts federations, and business institutions across Brazil and the United States.
FENAPEF
Brazilian Federal Police
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
Football Club
Santos Futebol Clube
Football Club
Atlético Mineiro
Football Club
Goiás Esporte Clube
Football Club
JR Diesel
Geraldo Rufino
Federation Krav Maga Israeli System
Martial Arts
Instituto Galo
Social Institution
Confederação Brasileira de Tênis
Brazilian Tennis Confederation
GER — Grupo Especial de Reação
Special Reaction Group
COMAVE
Aviation Command — PMMG Minas Gerais
DIC
Criminal Investigation Division — Santa Catarina
Recognition
Awards & Honors
Four continents. Four honors. A career recognized by the world's most prestigious institutions.
Forbes France Recognition — Festival de Cannes
Recognized at a Forbes France programming event at Villa Forbes during the Festival de Cannes for donating 2,000 English courses to the Rocinha favela community in Brazil.
Portuguese Brazilian Award
Honored at the Portuguese Brazilian Award ceremony in New York in recognition of his contributions to education and the Brazilian community in the United States.
Top of Business Award
Received the Top of Business distinction in Dubai, recognizing his entrepreneurial achievements and international business leadership.
FBI Coin
Received an official FBI challenge coin at FBI Headquarters in New York — a rare honor extended to civilians in recognition of distinguished service and collaboration.
Ready to work together?
From the favelas of Brazil to the boardrooms of the world.