In this new blog series, we would like to introduce the members that make up the DreamanDo team and their stories. What can you look forward to? Getting to know the struggles and achievements that got us here; seeing the human element of DreamanDo. In the first post of the “Meet our Team” series, we present you Ciro Formisano, the CEO, and co-founder of DreamanDo.
Hi, Ciro. We are so happy to have you kickstarting this new series! Could you start by briefly introducing yourself to the people that are not familiar with you yet?
I am Ciro – CEO and founder of DreamanDo. I moved out and went to live abroad on my own when I was 16 and since then I have never stopped learning about new cultures and gaining study and work-abroad experience. I have studied and worked in 5 different countries and have learned 4 foreign languages while doing so. I attended an international high school (IB program) and graduated in Economics, Business, and Finance. I have since worked for 3 multinational corporations as a management consultant and founded 2 start-ups. I have also always been involved in shaping diversity and inclusion actions. I worked as a project manager for diversity and inclusion projects for EY France. My responsibilities at EY France included, among others, coordination with global campaigns. For my engagement, I was elected an LGBT+ role model for France under the patronage of Emmanuel Macron.
How exactly did they impact your life?
These experiences made me grow exponentially both personally and professionally and helped me understand the ongoing transformation of the working world toward equality of opportunities. I was lucky to gain studying and working experience abroad and, from what I have observed, there is still unequal access to those opportunities and therefore a lack of diversity. I decided to work very hard to change this. My purpose became to inspire people to go out of their comfort zone, build their personal brand and shine for their uniqueness.
What prompted you to start DreamanDo?
After 5 years of coaching over 60 courageous young individuals to study and work abroad, I decided to co-found DreamanDo. “What exactly is DreamanDo,” you may ask: it is a start-up made up of international leaders who want to eradicate inequalities, provide better access to success and boost self-confidence and belief in one’s abilities.
How did you come up with the idea of DreamanDo?
I came up with the idea of DreamanDo because I observed that people’s opportunities depend a lot on their backgrounds. People coming from “disadvantaged” backgrounds not only do not have the financial support to access opportunities but also lack information and, in general, do not have anyone that can advise/coach them to reach their dreams and potential. Financial support is as important as emotional support and DreamanDo wants to be there every step of the way by making sure that everyone has the means to access international experience and by enhancing their personal and professional outlook. If we solve this problem, there is an infinite potential to be explored. We want to help you Dream and put you on the move and Do!
What are some of your plans for the company?
We are committed to enhance equality of opportunities and are collaborating with other projects that share the same values. We want to inspire people from very young age to dream big regardless of their background. To give you an example – we got in touch with a very interesting project providing low-cost recreational activities for young people to help them develop skills and mindset. We would love to help this project and make it international.
We want to inspire people through our experience and show them that, if you can dream it, you can do it.
Feel free to check Ciro’s LinkedIn and hit him up with any questions about how he can empower you to achieve your dreams and goals!
Next week, we will dive a bit into the background of DreamanDo’s Content Manager, Vidishaa Prakaash.
Written by Dominika Balounová. Edited by Matheus V. Carvalho