Ana Morais

President

Ana leads the organization’s global operations, overseeing strategic program development and brings a fresh vision for the future. Her priorities include diversifying funding streams, expanding CERI’s global footprint, and ensuring the highest child protection and family services standards. Ana’s visionary leadership will guide CERI into a new era of growth and impact, inspiring hope and confidence in the organization’s future. Her unique ability to see the bigger picture and articulate a clear, compelling vision enables her to guide and inspire her team towards achieving ambitious goals. 

How It Started:

It all started when Ana was a teenager, inspired by her mother’s example of giving and compassion. Together with her uncle, Ana was a part of the development of a nonprofit organization in Brazil that focused on empowering underprivileged adolescents. They provided training, families services and job placement opportunities across various organizations and corporations, often helping these young individuals become the primary income earners in their households. Through this work, Ana witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of supporting and protecting childhood and adolescent rights, recognizing the essential role of family strength in meeting basic social needs. This experience ignited her lifelong passion for serving vulnerable children and families.

Why CERI? 

CERI’s commitment to putting love first as the best option to impact and transform generations resonates with Ana’s beliefs.

Her faith in God and the transformative power of His love inspires Ana every day. Ana believes that through us, God’s love can profoundly impact many lives. CERI’s mission embodies this principle, allowing Ana to contribute her work of creating a better future for children and families worldwide.

Behind the Scenes

Ana spends a lot of quality time with her partner in crime, Rocky, her smart and energetic 8-year-old Australian cattle dog mix who is also a phenomenal soccer player. When visiting family at home in Brazil, Ana enjoys playing board & cards games, Brazilian cricket, and eating! Ana is a worshipper at heart, enjoys journaling, and eats rice and tacos just about every day.

Ana also enjoys prayer walks, worship, and moments spent in nature, allowing herself to find stillness and inspiration. These moments help her stay grounded and connected to what truly matters as everything around gets busier.

What Protecting Childhood Means 

“It’s about creating a safe and nurturing environment where they can envision a hopeful future and pursue their aspirations without being held back by their past.

As a survivor myself, I can personally attest to the miracles and healing that come from such opportunities. Ensuring that every child has the support and encouragement they need to thrive can profoundly impact their hearts and lives, fostering resilience and hope for a brighter future.”

Favorite Childhood Memory  

“As the youngest of five, surrounded by nephews, nieces, countless cousins, and extended family, our gatherings were always filled with energy and joy, and of course fights (the good kind, because someone was always trying to cheat)! Sunday lunch at my mom’s long patio table. There was always a place for one more, and the meal was a feast of her delicious Sunday spaghetti and fresh chicken that she picked herself straight from the farm.”