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David Vélez

Co-founder and chief executive of Nubank

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here
Moving closer to work. I live in São Paulo, Brazil, and I used to spend an hour or more in traffic every day, just sitting in the car getting frustrated and anxious. It was a waste of my time.

questionnaire, Sequoia Capital, 15 August 2018 source ↗

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Akio Toyoda President of Toyota Motor Corporation, 2009–2023; chairman from 2023
Even I can't predict what kind of car we will be driving 20 years from now, but my time at Babson taught me to embrace change rather than run from it, and I urge all of you to do the same.
Recorded Babson College Graduate Commencement, Babson College (Babson Thought & Action), 21 May 2019 source ↗
Sheryl Sandberg Former chief operating officer of Facebook; founder of LeanIn.org
Finding gratitude and appreciation is key to resilience. People who take the time to list things they are grateful for are happier and healthier. It turns out that counting your blessings can actually increase your blessings. My New Year's resolution this year is to write down three moments of joy before I go to bed each night. This simple practice has changed my life. Because no matter what happens each day, I go to sleep thinking of something cheerful.
Recorded University of California, Berkeley Commencement, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2016 source ↗
Andy Murray British professional tennis player, 2005–2024
I've never set out to be a spokesperson for women's equality. My experience of working with Amelie Mauresmo gave me a small insight into attitudes to women in sport and, because it was unusual for a male tennis player to work with a female coach, I am often asked about that. Working with Amelie was, for me, because she was the right person for the job, and not a question of her sex at all. However, it became clear to me that she wasn't always treated the same as men in similar jobs, and so I felt I had to speak out about that.
Recorded Column written for the BBC as part of the BBC 100 Women series, BBC News, 18 September 2017 source ↗
Abby Wambach United States international footballer, 2001–2015
You see, soccer didn't make me who I was. I brought who I was to soccer, and I get to bring who I am wherever I go. And guess what? So do you.
Recorded Barnard College commencement address, Radio City Music Hall, New York, Speakola, 16 May 2018 source ↗

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Question What is the worst job you have ever had? Craft & work
Los diferentes trabajos en los que he estado, después de mi graduación, han sido de 100 y 120 horas a la semana, especialmente empezando con Nubank. Básicamente vivía en el lugar de trabajo. Empezamos la compañía en una casa de dos pisos. Mi cofundador vivía en el segundo piso. Yo básicamente dormía en el primer piso, o pasaba muchas noches en el primer piso. No salimos de esa casa por seis o 12 meses porque trabajábamos como locos.
Recorded Vicky Dávila, interview, Semana, 1 October 2022 source ↗
Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains
Me gustaría que la gente se viera empoderada a construir, a resolver problemas. Que salgamos muchas veces de esa visión de víctimas en la que dependemos de muchas fuerzas. Que veamos problemas como grandes oportunidades para ayudar a resolver. Por ejemplo, frente a esa mala experiencia con los bancos, como me pasó en Brasil, mucha gente se hubiera sentado y quejado del banco. Pero vi una oportunidad gigantesca de ir y competir contra él.
Recorded Vicky Dávila, interview, Semana, 1 October 2022 source ↗
Question What is the biggest professional obstacle you have faced? Craft & work
Sí, empezamos desde cero. Pedimos una licencia de financiamiento comercial, pero es difícil comenzar porque la banca se basa en confianza, regulación y escala. Hay barreras regulatorias que dificultan la entrada de nuevos jugadores. Es un sector históricamente cerrado, que favorece a los incumbentes. Aun así, logramos construir una marca fuerte y generar confianza en los consumidores.
Recorded Alejandra Rico Muñoz, interview, La República, 25 March 2026 source ↗

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