Ronaldo Gomes’ life story shows, in concrete terms, how discipline, purpose, and vision for the future can transform not only an individual career but also impact entire communities. Born in Olinda (PE), in the Jardim Brasil I neighborhood, he began his journey as a professional athlete, playing as a defensive midfielder and center back for clubs such as Independente de Limeira, Suzano, Central de Caruaru, Náutico, among others. It was during this period, between intense training sessions and competitions, that he developed the values that today sustain his work in the business world: resilience, teamwork, and focus on results.
When he decided to end his career on the field, Ronaldo did not seek just a new occupation but a path with greater meaning. With this goal in mind, he founded Dupallets, a company dedicated to creating ecological furniture from reforested wood and structured under the principles of the circular economy. At the time the company was born, the Brazilian market did not yet value sustainable practices as it does today, but Ronaldo remained firm in his proposal to unite design, social inclusion, and environmental responsibility.
This determination soon turned into concrete reality, and Dupallets grew to become one of the largest sustainable furniture manufacturers in Brazil, employing people historically excluded from the job market, such as women in vulnerable situations and professionals over 50. Each piece produced carries more than just aesthetics and functionality — it conveys dignity, an opportunity for transformation, and environmental awareness.
During the most critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many companies faced great difficulties, Ronaldo once again demonstrated his ability for strategic leadership. He quickly restructured internal processes, strengthened the brand’s digital presence, expanded operations in e-commerce, and revised the product portfolio. These changes not only kept the company running but also consolidated Dupallets’ image and expanded its presence throughout the entire country.
In parallel, he began a new chapter of impact with the founding of D’Souza Construtora, a company dedicated to high-end residential projects, always focused on energy efficiency, conscious design, and the responsible use of available natural resources.
It was in the Amazon region, however, that Ronaldo carried out one of his greatest contributions. In partnership with Petrobras, he personally led the technical team of D’Souza Construtora in the execution of the Sustainable Village project in Coari (AM), an Indigenous community accessible only after 12 hours of navigation along the Solimões River. In this project, an innovative model of ecological housing was implemented, integrating technologies such as rainwater harvesting, solar energy, and the use of local materials — all done with deep respect for cultural traditions and community ways of life. The initiative gained recognition from environmental organizations and international forums, being considered an exemplary experience of sustainable housing in remote regions.
Today, Ronaldo Gomes stands among the leading representatives of the new generation of sustainable entrepreneurs in Brazil, with a trajectory that inspires by uniting humble origins, sports experience, worldview, and effective social impact. From Olinda to professional fields, from producing ecological furniture to the Amazon villages, he has built much more than businesses — he has built a legacy.
“True leadership lies in driving transformation. In sports, I learned to fight for a collective goal. In entrepreneurship, I follow the same principle: creating solutions that make sense for people and for the planet,” says Ronaldo Gomes.
By: Priscilla Moura
