Education Hero: Getting to know Michelle Barretto
December 20, 2019
Mano Amiga Education heroes are people who have taken an active role in helping us achieve our vision to make quality education more accessible to more children. Michelle Barretto is CEO and founder of Vitamin B Inc, a brand strategy and strategic design consultancy. She designs and creates brands, products, systems, culture, and experiences.
Michelle first learned about Mano Amiga while attending a conference in 2014. Since then, Michelle has taken on Mano Amiga as a pro-bono CSR project and through Vitamin B, provides scholarship and internship opportunities for the students.
What is your mission in life?
To be happy and see the good in the world. People should complain less and do more. It would make a lot of things simpler and better. I once heard Anne Hathaway answer a similar question. She was asked where she saw herself in 10 years. She said something like “If you asked me years ago where I thought I would be today, it wouldn’t be here. So, I’m hoping to find myself in some place that I never even dreamed possible.” I was blown away. I thought that was faith and perspective. Since then, I hope for the same … may life lead me to greater than I can imagine.
What do you like most about the education you had received? How did it impact the life you have now?
I studied in Assumption from the time I was 5 years old until I left for university just when I turned 17. These were my formative years so the school’s thrust on simplicity, social awareness, and faith is part of my foundation. I think because of this, one is reminded to think bigger (not just other) than herself. You understand your privilege, the responsibility that comes with it, and who you are truly accountable to. Through school, I have also met my oldest and dearest friends. This bond, stemming from shared values and decades of friendship, is both what keeps me grounded and lifts me higher.
You decided to start the year by supporting the scholarship of one student in Mano Amiga. What compelled you to do so? Why do you think providing access to quality education is important?
‘To whom much is given, much is expected” It is cliche but it is the truth. It should be a commandment. I believe in the power of mind and spirit. I think it can overcome most challenges, if not all. Instilling this in young children regardless of their socio economic background, empowers a future leader, teacher, doctor or astronaut. Everyone is entitled to possibility. I’m betting that this one child can and will change his life, that of his current and future family, and his community. It is actually a great investment.
Could you share defining points and moments in your life which you consider as good learning opportunities?
I chase learning. I am not sure if it stems from passion or curiosity or both but it fuels me. I seek great minds whether it be in a conference somewhere in the world I need to get to, a video I will watch, a book or an article I will read. In the consultancy work that we do, I listen intently to clients. I learn about different industries, organizations, people, ideas, processes and systems. I sit with mentors from different backgrounds. From them, I learn to think even bigger. I learn about personal growth, leadership, business, and even relationships. An hour of their time feels like a master class.
I also learn from travel. I enjoy culture, history and design so places and people teach me things. Especially today, you can find learning anywhere and everywhere. If you are open to listening, it will come from all places.
What is your why? What keeps you going?
I don’t know if I have a why. All I know is, life has so much to offer. Just thinking about it is exciting. I sometimes feel like there isn’t enough time in the day to do the things I want to do. I want to always be a better version of me. I want to sign off from this earth thinking I didn’t waste this life given to me, I had a really good time and I kicked butt.