In 2018, Anelize Lenzi Ruas de Almeida was an attorney with more than a decade of public service experience in Brazil’s National Treasury. But she knew there was more she could contribute. At nearly 40 years old, she was worried that age might exclude her from scholarship opportunities abroad until she discovered that Chevening has no upper age limit.
Anelize applied and was awarded a Chevening Scholarship, co-funded by the Lemann Foundation, to pursue a Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree at Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government.
According to Anelize, the academic experience offered exactly what she was looking for. The MPP challenged her to think about how to apply policy theory in practice.
She found the studies challenging, especially as she adjusted to expressing herself mostly in English. The experience, she admits made her ‘less intellectually arrogant’ and broadened her perspective. She excelled in her programme, contributing a research paper on big data, tax administration, and government trust for the BSG’s Integrity Programme.
The cultural opportunities also exceeded Anelize’s expectations. She visited museums, shows, and historical sites in Oxford and London. However, the most profound aspect of her experience was the people she met.
‘I never lost an opportunity to go to someone’s house.’
She remains close friends with fellow Cheveners to this day.
Meeting other Cheveners and Oxford students from different disciplines and countries gave Anelize new insights and different perspectives on policy issues, expanding her ability to problem-solve and innovate.
‘Doors began to open for me because of my master’s degree. Oxford has a power in people’s minds.’
This cross-cultural approach to policy prepared her for greater leadership responsibilities when she returned to Brazil.
Since 2023, Anelize has served as the Attorney General of the National Treasury under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. She now leads the legal side of Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, encouraging her team not only to provide legal advice but to think creatively about policy solutions.
‘Since I arrived at my current position, I started a movement to not only provide legal advice but try to stimulate [my team] to think outside of the box.’
Her current work includes shaping Brazil’s response to tariffs imposed by the United States. She and her team balance legal protection for industries with policies that improve the lives of communities.
Outside government, Anelize continues to make an impact. She serves on the board of Serenas, a nonprofit founded by a fellow Chevener that works to prevent gender-based violence.
She also mentors young women in the Alumna programme, another non-profit founded by a Chevening graduate, and remains actively engaged with the UK Embassy and the Lemann Foundation.
Reflecting on her journey, Anelize believes Chevening gave her the confidence to step into uncomfortable spaces and take risks that reshaped her career.
‘I made myself uncomfortable to take advantage of opportunities.’
Irma Matoshvili describes herself as ‘a people person.’ Growing up in rural Georgia, she learned that ‘hospitality is valued more than bravery, this is how we were raised.’ That belief in people shaped her ambitions to study in the UK, not only to strengthen her own career in business management, but to help other women to succeed too.
Thinking of applying for a Chevening Scholarship? Find out how Chevening alumna Elizabeth Pam turned her ideas into impact after completing her master’s in the UK.
Mercy Nachalwe Chipampe is a 2009 Chevening Scholar and a leading expert in radiography and mammography. She has made innovative strides in early cancer detection and treatment in Zambia.