Nellie Leal São Pedro (born September 20, 1960) is a media personality, community activist, television producer, host of Gente da Nossa TV since 1989. GenteTV is the highest-rated television program of its kind in history of the Portuguese Canadian community. She is also, according to some assessments, the most influential woman in the Portuguese Community of Toronto.
Nellie was born in Terceira, Azores and came to Canada in 1970. She studied radio and television arts in the early 80 at Ryerson Politecnical institute. Nellie has all her adult life worked in the television/communications field. 1983 - Started a video production company with her now husband Cesar Pedro, which produced short documentaries and wedding videos. They were married on February 16, 1985. This same year Nellie attended George Brown College and completed the Real Estate course. License with the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations under the Business Brokers Act. In 1986 she upgraded her real Estate skills by completing the TREB's ICI course, Real Estate Law, ICI Real Estate and Property Management. Nellie practiced and negotiated in real estate up to 1997 winning many awards.
In 1997 Nellie became the producer and Host of Gente da Nossa TV, a Portuguese language program on CityTV's CHIN Multicultural TV programming. Producer of Gente da Nossa TV, on Citytv -CHIN TV programming. 1997- Present. Producer of Gente Jovem, Rogers Mosaic Producer. Partner of Gente da Nossa Tours and owner of GenteTours. Executive Producer of "Bom Dia" Television show. President of Gente da Nossa Inc.
Nellie has been involved since age 14 with different community organizations, many times in leadership positions dedicating thousands of volunteer hours over the years. Nellie was the first woman to serve as president of the Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals Inc. (President 1990-1991 Vise- President 1988-89). Nellie is the only Portuguese-Canadian to receive the Salesperson Merit Award from the (TREB), Toronto Real Estate Board, 1992. This award is given to those that volunteer and contribute to their community, while they manage a successful career in the real estate profession. Was the 1991 runner up of the "Central District Salesperson Award". From TREB Executive Council Sales Division
• Nellie was awarded "Canada's 125th Anniversary Commemorative Medal", 1993.
• Nellie served as a member of the United Way board of Trustees from 1991-1994.
• Member of the United Way Community Initiative Funding Committee.
• Member of the United Way Campaign Cabinet, 1991-1993
• Chair of the United Way Portuguese Community Committee 1990-1992.
Nellie loves politics and has been politically involvement in many campaigns since 1985. In 1994 - Nellie became a candidate for Public School Trustee in the ward 11 and 12 of the old city of Toronto. She ran again on November 13, 2000 and was elected Trustee for Ward 9 Davenport Toronto District School Board. She served until 2003. Nominated in 2002 as Provincial Liberal Candidate for the riding of Trinity Spadina in the October 3, 2003 election came 2nd with an impressive 15,097 Votes.
Nellie is the Founder and Organizer of;
• Organizer of Acorianissima since 1999
• Organizer of Gente da Nossa Anniversary shows
• Organizer of 1st Meet the Luso-Canadian Municipal Candidates, November 2003
• Organizer of exhibit "4 Women & a Car"
• Founder of LACA Canada.com
• Promoter of the Gente da Nossa Picnic and Bull fights Terceira Style in Canada.
• Cofounder of Amigos da Terceira.
• Executive Producer and Creator of "Bom Dia"
• President of GenteTours Inc.
• President of Gente da Nossa Inc.
