The Dinner with Purpose: A Gala That Redefines the Meaning of Luxury
The benefit event was held in New York and hosted by Tatiana Alonso, CEO of Gerando Falcões International (GFI), and Edu Lyra, CEO and founder of Instituto Gerando Falcões
On a night where solidarity and sophistication met in the heart of Manhattan, the 4th International Benefit Dinner of Gerando Falcões transformed the prestigious Yale Club NYC into the epicenter of global philanthropy. The event, which took place on October 6, 2025, brought together more than 250 guests—including business leaders, artists, philanthropists, and social changemakers—in support of a noble goal: accelerating the transformation of Brazilian favelas through education, social innovation, and dignified housing.
Led by Tatiana Alonso, CEO of Gerando Falcões International (GFI), and Edu Lyra, founder of the Gerando Falcões Institute, the dinner marked a new stage in the internationalization of the cause. Headquartered in New York, GFI is expanding its presence through hubs in London, Miami, and other cities across Europe and the U.S., financing high-impact projects in Brazil.
“This dinner is a testament to what happens when purpose meets action. Every conversation, every donation, every shared story becomes fuel for transformation. This is how we turn global solidarity into real impact on the ground,” said Tatiana. Gerando Falcões already operates in more than 5,000 Brazilian favelas through a network of 2,000 social leaders, with the goal of making poverty a museum relic before the colonization of Mars. With programs like Favela 3D, Falcons University, and ASMARA, the NGO invests in scalable, technology-driven solutions to break cycles of inequality.
The program was masterfully presented by Sandra Coutinho, Fabiana Saba, and Sil Curiati. Among the highlights, the dinner featured moving performances by singer Flor Gil, young talent Gaspar Muniz, and international artist Denise Reis. Art also shone at the benefit auction, with a work by acclaimed artist Janaina Tschäpe, underscoring how culture can serve as a tool for social impact.
The live auction, conducted by renowned auctioneer Jacqueline Towers-Perkins, offered unique experiences, such as a VIP visit to Tiffany & Co.’s Fifth Avenue store, a tennis racket autographed by João Fonseca used in the finals of the 2024 NextGen ATP, and a captivating artwork by internationally recognized artist Janaina Tschäpe.
In a strong gesture of support, Roberto Sallouti, CEO of BTG Pactual, directors from AB InBev, Gabriel Sauer, CEO of Sauer, Leonardo Framil, US Financial Services Client Group Lead at Accenture, Alexandre Bettamio, LATAM CEO of Bank of America, and Lara Lemann, co-founder of MAYA Capital, also took part in the celebration.
One of the most inspiring moments of the evening came with the testimony of KondZilla, producer, director, and entrepreneur who built a multimedia empire rooted in funk and the favela. His journey epitomizes the power of representation, creativity, and social impact within Brazil’s creative economy.
