Business Leaders Convene at COA Symposium to Discuss Latin America’s Next Chapter

The November 19 event will explore growth, artificial intelligence, investment and the forces reshaping the region’s business landscape

MIAMI, FL, UNITED STATES, October 27, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — More than 500 CEOs, company founders, industry pioneers, government officials, and other regional leaders will gather in Miami on November 19 for the 2026 COA Symposium and 31st BRAVO Business Awards. The Council of the Americas’ landmark business annual event will take place at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel.

At this year’s Symposium, regional leaders will examine the economic, technological, and geopolitical dynamics unfolding across Latin America. Multinational corporations, multilatinas, venture capital firms, academia, government, and media from across the region will convene at the event to hear leaders address the challenges and opportunities for the Western Hemisphere in a changing global economy.

The Symposium will focus on topics like the infrastructure needed to power the artificial intelligence economy; the adoption of AI as a driver of competitive advantage; leadership during periods of crisis; innovation in banking; and the expansion of Latin American companies in the United States. Afternoon sessions will address security risks across the Americas, the digital transformation of Latin American consumers, and the investment and institutional conditions needed to rebuild Venezuela.

“At a moment when executives across Latin America are navigating rapid economic, technological, and geopolitical change, this year’s Symposium will address the timely issues that matter most to their businesses and the region,” said Maria Lourdes Teran, vice president of AS/COA Miami and chair of the BRAVO Business Awards. “The COA Symposium brings together leaders who are making consequential decisions across industries and markets, creating a space for the candid dialogue and collaboration needed to strengthen the region’s competitiveness and shape its future.”

Centered on the theme “Latin America’s Next Chapter: Growth, Investment & the AI Economy,” the conference will start with private roundtables for C-Suite executives focused on implementing AI at scale, exploring the evolving role of corporate affairs, public affairs, and government affairs functions, and offering a strategic outlook on the geopolitical shifts most likely to impact Latin America in 2027. The Symposium will then open to the public and feature panels, fireside chats, and concurrent afternoon sessions with senior executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and experts from across the Americas.

Topics and distinguished speakers include:

Latin America’s Opportunity in a Changing Global Economy
– Athina Kanioura, CEO Latin America Foods, Global Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, PepsiCo
– Andres Gluski, CEO, The AES Corporation
– Carlos Capistran, Head of Latin America and Canada Economics, Bank of America
– Can Kuterdem, President, Latin America and Canada Region, Philip Morris International
– Moderator: Mauricio Janauskas, Managing Partner, Spanish Latin America, McKinsey & Company

Powering the AI Economy: Latin America’s Data Center Potential
– Carlos Barrera, CEO, Atlas Renewable Energy
– Ricardo Alário, CEO, ODATA
– Ximena Rincón, Minister of Energy of Chile
– Moderator: Martín Fernandez Romero, Managing Director, Moody’s Local

The AI Roadmap: From Strategy to Competitive Advantage
– Eleanor Dorfman, Head of Industries, Commercial Sales and Private Equity, Anthropic
– Felipe Villamarín, Co-Founder, Rappi
– Paula Bellizia, Vice President for Latin America, Amazon Web Services
– Alex Carreteiro, Regional President Americas, Heineken
– Moderator: Alejandro Anderlic, Director of Government and External Affairs, Latin America, Salesforce

A CEO’s Playbook for Leading Through Crisis
– Introduction: Richard J. Cooper, Partner, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
– Roberto Alvo, CEO, LATAM Airlines
– Moderator: Gabriela Frías, Business Anchor, CNN en Español

Banking Beyond Digital: Innovation, Leadership, and the Human Connection
– Introduction: Annali Duarte, Head of Global Payments Solutions, Latin America, Bank of America
– Tarciana Medeiros, CEO, Banco do Brasil
– Moderator: Simoni Morato, CEO, Safra National Bank

Latin American Companies in the U.S. Market: Growth & Expansion
– Roberto Lara, CEO, Castillo Hermanos
– Francisco Gomes Neto, President & CEO, Embraer
– Juan Pablo del Valle, Chairman of the Board, Orbia
– Martín Migoya, Co-Founder & CEO, Globant
– Moderator: Julio Figueroa, Head of Latin America, Citi

Security Risks in the Americas: Challenges and Strategic Responses
– Matias O’Farrell, VP Corporate Affairs, Latin America & Canada, Philip Morris International
– Luis Chacon, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Cementos Progreso
– Cristina Ricaurte, Regional Vice President and Head of Supply Chain Management Solution Advisory, SAP Americas
– Moderator: Brian Fonseca Ph.D., Director of the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy, Florida International University (FIU)

The Digital Transformation of the Latin American Consumer
– Juan Ignacio De Lorenzo, SVP & Head of Distribution for Consumer Lines, CHUBB Latin America.
– Gonzalo Estebarena, CEO, Despegar
– Brynne McNulty, Co-founder & CEO, Habi
– Moderator: Francisco Aldaya, Panregional Bureau Chief, Bloomberg Linea

Rebuilding Venezuela: From Multilateral Systems to Organic FDI
– Ángel Cárdenas, General Manager of Infrastructure for Development, CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean
– Claudia Acosta, Country Manger Venezuela, Mastercard
– Felipe Bayon, CEO, GeoPark
– Moderator: Guillermo Zubillaga, Head of Venezuela Working Group, AS/COA

Following the Symposium, the Council of the Americas will recognize companies and leaders whose vision and achievements are transforming industries, expanding opportunity, and contributing to Latin America’s economic development at the 31st BRAVO Business Awards.

This year’s distinguished honorees will be recognized with the following awards:

– Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines, will receive the BRAVO CEO of the Year Award in recognition of his leadership in transforming LATAM, strengthening its operations, and positioning the airline for sustainable growth.

– Banco do Brasil will receive the BRAVO Legacy Award, accepted by CEO Tarciana Medeiros, in recognition of the bank’s longstanding contributions to expanding access to credit, supporting agribusiness and infrastructure, advancing financial inclusion, and promoting Brazil’s economic development.

– Rappi will receive the BRAVO Beacon of Innovation Award, accepted by co-founder Felipe Villamarín, for pioneering the super-app model in Latin America and building one of the region’s most recognizable technology companies.

– Carlos Barrera, CEO of Atlas Renewable Energy, will receive the BRAVO Innovative CEO of the Year Award for advancing renewable-energy and energy-storage solutions that are helping support Latin America’s transition to a more resilient and sustainable energy future.

Sponsors: Amazon, CAF–Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, Chubb Latin America, LLYC, Philip Morris International, Bank of America, Castillo Hermanos, Citi, Moody’s, Salesforce, The AES Corporation, BlackRock, FedEx, Grupo Mariposa, SBA Communications, Tower Strategy.

Knowledge Partner: McKinsey & Company

Media Partners: Americas Quarterly, Bloomberg Línea, CNN en Español, El País, and Exame

For more information, visit https://www.as-coa.org/articles/coa-announces-honorees-31st-bravo-business-awards

Claudia Torrens
COA
ctorrens@as-coa.org

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Written By: EIN Presswire