Paulo Yanko

Activist, Consultant, Marketer, Project manager, Social entrepreneur

Paulo Yanko is a marketing and communications strategist with a career marked by innovation, tangible results, and social impact. For over 15 years, he has led projects that blend creativity, purpose, and performance. He is the founder of two agencies: one specialized in influencer marketing and another focused on 360° communication, serving clients of various sizes across sectors—from nonprofits to industry and service-based businesses. His approach bridges strategy and execution, with a focus on brand positioning, genuine engagement, and consistent results. As a gay man, he is an active supporter of the LGBT community, contributing in a practical way to inclusion through communication and by bringing diverse narratives into the market and the public conversation. Paulo has been a licensed TEDx organizer since 2018, recognized for his sharp curatorial eye and for turning events into meaningful experiences of connection between people and ideas. He combines strategic vision, emotional intelligence, and a broad cultural repertoire to build bridges between brands, causes, people, and purpose.

I'm passionate about creating experiences that connect people, ideas, and purpose. Whether through a strategic communication plan, a powerful stage talk, or a social impact campaign, I believe in the transformative potential of well-crafted messages. My work lives at the intersection of branding, cultural sensitivity, and human connection. Over the past 15 years, I’ve helped businesses, nonprofits, and thought leaders shape their voice and expand their reach. From curating TEDx events that provoke deep reflection, to designing 360° communication strategies that move communities, I’m driven by one key question: how can we use communication not just to sell, but to inspire, mobilize, and build a better world? I'm especially passionate about: Strategic storytelling — translating ideas into narratives that engage hearts and minds. Human-centered branding — building identities that resonate with real people and real causes. Empowering voices — especially those from underrepresented communities, through inclusive marketing and authentic platforms. Project-based leadership — coordinating teams, timelines, and talent with agility and empathy. Bridging sectors — bringing creativity and communication from the corporate world into spaces like the third sector, education, and public interest. At the end of the day, I'm passionate about what happens when people feel seen, heard, and inspired to act.

My TED story began as a passionate viewer. For years, I watched TED Talks that deeply inspired me — until, in 2016, I attended my first TEDx event in person. That experience changed me. In 2018, I had the honor of being a co-organizer at TEDxPinheiros in São Paulo, and in 2019, I brought TEDx to my hometown, Maringá, Paraná. Since then, I’ve organized at least one edition every year. Even during the pandemic, I kept the project alive, adapting it to an online format when needed. I never stopped — because I believe in the power of ideas and the impact they can create when given a voice. My commitment to TEDx goes beyond hosting an event: it’s an ongoing contribution to society. It’s about giving the stage to transformative ideas, revealing invisible talents, and provoking conversations that move the world forward. That’s what drives me — creating spaces where transformation begins with a single idea, but doesn’t end there.

People don't know I'm good at reading a room and adjusting tone, strategy, or energy almost instantly. Whether it's leading a meeting, hosting an event, or building a brand narrative, I have a sharp instinct for understanding the dynamics at play — even the unspoken ones. I know when to push, when to listen, and when to bring in humor or gravity. Behind every project I lead, there’s a layer of emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity that often goes unnoticed — but it’s what makes things flow, connect, and resonate.