Leonardo C.
5.0
Harvard Fellow & UN Leader | Elevate Your Performance Skills
Studied at Harvard Kennedy School
Works at Harvard University
Available tomorrow at 1:00 PM UTC
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Leonardo's Coaching Offerings
Pay as you go
Get help with Goal Setting, Decision Making, and .
Leonardo also coaches for Leadership Development, Career Development, and Higher Education. View all.
Leonardo’s Performance Qualifications
Coaches professionally
Experience level: Manager
20+ people coached for Performance
Leonardo has helped clients get into these companies:
Welcome to my profile! With a rich background in leadership and performance coaching, I have guided over 100 individuals through transformative learning journeys at Harvard Kennedy School's flagship adaptive leadership program. My diverse experience spans roles at the United Nations World Food Programme, where I honed my skills in strategic partnerships and organizational development across multiple countries. As an independent leadership coach, I have successfully mentored entrepreneurs, senior managers, and young graduates in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, tailoring my approach to meet diverse professional and cultural needs. Whether you're looking to enhance your decision-making, time management, or leadership skills, I'm here to help you achieve measurable success. Let's connect and elevate your performance to new heights!
Leonardo can help with:
Goal Setting
Decision Making
Performance Evaluation
Problem Solving
Continuous Learning and Development
Teamwork and Collaboration
Feedback and Recognition
Time Management
Leonardo also coaches for Leadership Development, Career Development, and Higher Education. View all.
About Leonardo
I’m Leonardo da Silveira, a leadership and organizational development professional with over a decade of experience helping individuals and teams grow with intention, equity, and purpose. My career has spanned multiple sectors and 12 countries—from international organizations like the UN to tech companies and nonprofits—where I’ve designed and facilitated coaching, training, and change initiatives across cultures and contexts. I hold a Master’s degrees from leading global universities such as Harvard University and University College London, and have had years of experience as a Leadership/Negotiation teaching fellow at Harvard University. My approach is grounded in systems thinking, organizational culture, and change management.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I believe people thrive when they’re truly seen, challenged with care, and supported in navigating complexity. Coaching is one of the most meaningful ways I know to walk alongside someone as they step into clarity, confidence, and impact. I’ve seen firsthand how transformational it can be—whether helping a young professional navigate imposter syndrome or supporting an executive leading cultural change. My passion for coaching is rooted in my belief that leadership is not about having all the answers but about showing up with presence, curiosity, and courage.
Work Experience
Teaching Fellow
Harvard University
August 2022 - Present
Since moving to Boston in 2022, I have held multiple positions at Harvard University. These roles have included serving as a graduate research assistant focusing on racial equity and humanitarian policies, as well as taking on leadership coaching positions in the Harvard Kennedy School’s flagship adaptive leadership program. During this time, I published several reports and coached over 100 individuals through their adaptive leadership learning journeys. Additionally, I worked as a teaching assistant for an immersive course on humanitarian frontline negotiations.
Strategic Partnerships Officer
United Nations
February 2018 - August 2024
Since February 2018, I have held multiple roles with the United Nations World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organization. My positions have spanned HR (organizational development and recruitment) and Partnerships (supporting the UN’s collaboration with international financial institutions and government donors). During this time, I worked in diverse settings across Italy, Mozambique, Yemen, Jordan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These experiences have provided me with a multicultural perspective, enabling me to approach organizational challenges with a holistic view and equipping me with the tools needed to excel in dynamic and diverse professional environments.
Independent leadership coach and consultant
Independent Consulting
December 2016 - February 2018
I have developed and delivered impactful consultancy programs focused on decision-making and time management, achieving measurable success. As a coach and mentor, I have guided entrepreneurs, senior managers, and young graduates in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, tailoring my approach to diverse professional and cultural contexts. I also launched my own microenterprise, organizing and conducting training sessions and events. Additionally, I spearheaded content production strategies for Grupo Anga Ltd, a holding company in Brazil, leading complex projects in collaboration with companies from various sectors. My work in this field culminated in authoring and publishing a sponsored book on Amazon, centered on decision-making.
Junior Analyst
Quacquarelli Symonds
October 2014 - December 2016
At QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a global leader in higher education and career information, I contributed to empowering candidates with reliable tools and independent expert insights for critical education and career decisions. During my tenure, I led and published the inaugural QS Graduate Employability global university rankings, setting a new standard for evaluating institutions worldwide. I also delivered customized client audit reports and analyzed higher education datasets for Benchmarking and QS Stars products, helping institutions refine their strategies. Additionally, I played a key role in the analysis and development of the English at Work 2016 report, produced in collaboration with Cambridge English and presented to the European Parliament.
School Principal
Brilliance International School
January 2014 - June 2014
At Brilliance International School, a Cambodia-based institute offering innovative childhood programs in English, Khmer, and Chinese, I led the administration of all aspects of a kindergarten school. This included establishing educational policies that contributed to a 33% increase in student enrollment. I also designed and implemented a comprehensive new learning plan, which enhanced the school’s educational offerings and increased overall net profit by 30%. My efforts prioritized quality and health, creating a nurturing and engaging environment for students as young as three months old.
President
AIESEC in Brazil
June 2012 - June 2013
At AIESEC, the world’s largest youth-led network focused on creating positive impact through personal development and global experiences, I managed an 18-person full-time team and oversaw organizational development for 5,000 volunteers across 40 offices in Brazil. Under my leadership, the organization achieved over 50% growth in the number of international participants in internships within Brazil. Additionally, we ranked among the top three globally in exchanges across a network spanning more than 100 countries, facilitating 3,800 impactful exchange experiences.
Vice President of Operations
AIESEC in Brazil
May 2011 - June 2012
In my role at AIESEC in Brazil, I managed a portfolio of Brazilian students participating in professional internships abroad, driving significant growth and impact. Under my administration, the program achieved the highest growth among the global top 10 performers, rising from fourth to first place worldwide. I also established and expanded a leadership network, growing from 5 local directors to 25, ensuring a strong foundation for sustained success.
Intern
grameen bank
December 2010 - February 2011
At Grameen Bank, the 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate, I conducted in-depth research and visited borrowers to understand the impact of their microloans. My work involved evaluating and providing recommendations for the bank’s organizational structure while exploring opportunities to adapt and expand its innovative microfinance model to other countries. These experiences deepened my understanding of grassroots development and scalable financial inclusion strategies.
Education
Harvard Kennedy School
Master of Arts, Public Administration
2022 - 2023
Mid-career master's degree in public administration for accomplished public leaders to elevate their abilities and expand their reach. Recipient of the 2023 Eric Yankah award for outstanding contribution to Harvard Kennedy School and its community. Awarded a merit John F. Kennedy Fellowship, one of Harvard’s most prestigious fellowships. Awarded a merit scholarship by the Lemann Foundation (Brazil). Coursework: leadership and management studies; how to overcome inequality, and critical skills training (e.g., speechwriting, project management).
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya
Master of Arts, International Affairs & Diplomacy
2020 - 2022
Offered in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), this online programme targets diplomats and government officials involved in international affairs to develop and strengthen the diplomacy skills required to effectively and efficiently support governments, universal and regional organisations, non-governmental actors and the private sector. MA thesis subject: What are the links between food (in)security and post-modern wars? A case study of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) - final grade: 9.5/10
University College London, University of London
Master of Arts, Leadership
2014 - 2015
This master's degree explores and critiques leadership and management theory, research and practice, focused on enhancing how the current Education can address higher quality standards and dynamics of forming leaders throughout its courses.
Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
Bachelor's degree, Journalism
2007 - 2010
Key subjects were related to managing different communication channels (radio, media, social media), analysis of messages and branding, holistic perspective about art (cinema, arts, photography, etc).
12 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Leonardo has helped clients get into these companies: