Renata Teodoro emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 6 from Brazil. She graduated in 2006 as a recipient of the Abigail Adams Scholarship, a prestigious academic merit scholarship, but could not use it because of her immigration status. Renata became an active member of the Student Immigrant Movement leadership team in 2008 after taking an active role in the In-State Tuition Campaign. Renata quickly took responsibility for organizing fundraising events, implementing new strategies to focus on the strengths of members. Renata joined the SIM staff in 2009 to focus on resource development and fundraising.

Renata continues her education at UMass Boston, working on a joint degree in Psychology and Human Services.