Our Story: Connect and Grow
Empowering Women Through Belonging
Meet Our Founders
Claudia Soares
A strategic leader with over 15 years of experience transforming ideas into high-impact programs. As the National Events Manager at Upwardly Global, she has helped thousands of immigrants re-enter the U.S. job market through partnerships with LinkedIn, Accenture, and Goldman Sachs. Holding an MBA from PUC-SP and a background in Systemic Leadership, Claudia leads with purpose, strategy, and compassion—inspiring everyone around her to reach further.
Damaris Ribeiro
An engineering prodigy who earned her degree at just 16, Damaris is an Environmental Engineer, Sales Director, and a natural-born team trainer. Based in the Bay Area, she transitioned from helper to entrepreneur in record time—bringing the fierce determination and intelligence that define every step of Key to Connect.
Milena Barcelos
A skilled professional in creating and operationalizing events that transcend into memorable experiences. A natural leader, creative, and innovator, Milena possesses a mastery of Marketing and a rare ability to transform simple connections into thriving business opportunities and valuable insights for everyone involved.
Born from a Moment of Purpose
A Community Rooted in Shared Experience
The beginnings of Key to Connect trace back to a moment that illuminated just how much our community needed change. At a bustling networking event surrounded by 50 men and only 10 women, the imbalance was not just a number - it was a call to action. This experience stuck with us as immigrant Latina women who had always felt the difference between building lives in the United States and the richness of friendship, connection, and joy that we cherished in our home countries. We realized that, for many women like us, the journey in a new country often feels transactional - working hard, advancing careers, but missing a genuine sense of belonging and connection. With this realization, we set out to transform how community is built, aiming to spark a movement where joy, friendship, and purposeful growth become day-to-day realities. Key to Connect is the space we wish had existed for us - a place where every woman is welcomed, heard, and celebrated. Our mission is to uplift women by making authentic connections possible, nurturing confidence, and fueling both personal and professional transformation. Together, we are rekindling the spirit of collective empowerment and bringing those deep, soul-nourishing ties right into the heart of our daily lives in San Francisco and beyond.
Our Core Values in Motion
Intentionality guides every experience at Key to Connect, weaving trust and transformation into the very fabric of our community. For us, community is not a numbers game; it is about creating spaces where every voice is lifted and every identity respected. Our values start with intentional design - each event, workshop, and retreat is thoughtfully curated to reflect the real needs and dreams of the women we serve. Trust grows as we honor cultural differences, offering a welcoming environment for vulnerability, meaningful dialogue, and shared celebration. We are deeply committed to cultural responsiveness, making every woman - especially those who are immigrants or creating new beginnings - feel seen and affirmed. Transformation is the outcome we celebrate most, whether it is newfound confidence, career breakthroughs, or lifelong friendships formed. Behind the scenes, our team pours heart and expertise into building moments that truly matter, paving the way for courage, healing, and growth. At Key to Connect, our values do not just live on paper - they come alive in every smile, story, and step forward in our journey, together.
