Dive Into Details
About the Person of the Year
Learn more about the main event of the Brazilian-American community in the United States.
The Person of the Year success has allowed us to expand our annual programming to further develop ties between Brazil and the United States.
Since 1970, BrazilCham has honored outstanding Brazilian and American leaders who have significantly strengthened ties between the two nations. Past honorees include Nelson Rockefeller, Henry Kissinger, Bill Clinton, Michael Bloomberg, Luiza Helena Trajano, and Alexandre Birman.
2026 Person of the Year Awards Gala Dinner
Be part of the prestigious 2026 Person of the Year Awards, a celebration of the enduring partnership between Brazil and the United States.
Since 1970, this iconic event has brought together influential leaders to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to strengthening the ties between Brazil and the United States. The evening combines inspiring tributes with unparalleled networking opportunities, recognizing impactful initiatives that foster collaboration and positive change.
Forging Closer Ties
Between Brazil-US
Our ceremony typically recognizes two exceptional leaders who have played a key role in strengthening the relationship between nations.
Person of the Year Award Archives
2025
2024
2023
2022
American recipient
Dara
Khosrowshahi
Brazilian recipient
Fabricio
Bloisi
American recipient
Wesley (wes)
Edens
Brazilian recipient
Alexandre Birman
American recipient
Martín
Escobari
Brazilian recipient
Walter
Schalka
American recipient
Virginia M.
Rometty
Brazilian recipient
Luiza Helena
Trajano
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
American recipient
Secretary Of State
Michael R. Pompeo
Brazilian recipient
President Jair
Messias Bolsonaro
American recipient
Michael R.
Bloomberg
Brazilian recipient
Sergio Fernando
Moro
American recipient
Thomas A.
Shannon Jr
Brazilian recipient
João
Doria
American recipient
Timothy F.
Geithner
Brazilian recipient
Arminio
Fraga
American recipient
President Bill
Clinton
Brazilian recipient
President Fernando
Henrique Cardoso
American recipient
Sergio
Marchionne
Brazilian recipient
Rubens Ometto
Silveira Mello
American recipient
Terrence A.
Duffy
Brazilian recipient
Luciano
Coutinho
American recipient
Alberto
Weisser
Brazilian recipient
André
Esteves
American recipient
Duncan L.
Niederauer
Brazilian recipient
Fábio C.
Barbosa
American recipient
Jeffrey Robert
Immelt
Brazilian recipient
H.e. Henrique De
Campos Meirelles
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2000
American recipient
Ambassador Clifford
M. Sobel
Brazilian recipient
José Sérgio Gabrielli
De Azevedo
American recipient
Thomas F.
Mclarty Iii
Brazilian recipient
Yolanda Vidal
Queiroz
American recipient
Thomas H.
Glocer
Brazilian recipient
Manoel Felix
Cintra Neto
American recipient
Paul M.
Anderson
Brazilian recipient
Roger
Agnelli
American recipient
Warren R.
Staley
Brazilian recipient
Jorge Gerdau
Johannpeter
American recipient
David
Neeleman
Brazilian recipient
H.e. Luiz
Fernando Furlan
Brazilian recipient
Maurilio Biagi
Filho
American recipient
Maurice R.
Greenberg
Brazilian recipient
Pedro Moreira
Salles
American recipient
Roger W.
Sant
Brazilian recipient
H.e. Luiz
Felipe Lampreia
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
American recipient
Alain J.
P. Belda
Brazilian recipient
Mauricio Novis
Botelho
American recipient
F. Duane
Ackerman
Brazilian recipient
Ivo
Pitanguy
American recipient
The Hon. Henry
A. Kissinger
Brazilian recipient
H.e. Paulo Tarso
Flecha De Lima
American recipient
John F.
Sandner
Brazilian recipient
Leo
Kryss
American recipient
Alexander J.
Trotman
Brazilian recipient
José Ermirio De
Moraes Filho
American recipient
William R.
Rhodes
Brazilian recipient
João
Havelange
American recipient
Philip H.
Geier Jr
Brazilian recipient
Erling S.
Lorentzen
American recipient
Thompson Lykes
Rankin
Brazilian recipient
Carlos Guilherme
Fischer
American recipient
Walter H.
Weiner
Brazilian recipient
Roberto
Civita
American recipient
The Hon. Carla
A. Hills
Brazilian recipient
Sérgio
Coimbra
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
American recipient
Richard J.
Mahoney
Brazilian recipient
Paulo Fontainha
Geyer
American recipient
Roberto C.
Goizueta
Brazilian recipient
José Luis
Cutrale
American recipient
Paul F.
Oreffice
Brazilian recipient
Ozires
Silva
American recipient
Roger B.
Smith
Brazilian recipient
Luis Eulálio De
Bueno Vidigal Filho
American recipient
C. Peter
Mccolough
Brazilian recipient
Angelo Calmon
De Sá
American recipient
John R.
Opel
Brazilian recipient
Mário
Garnero
American recipient
The Hon. George
P. Schultz
Brazilian recipient
H.e. Ernane
Galvêas
American recipient
W. H.
Krome George
Brazilian recipient
Luiz Eduardo
Campello
American recipient
Stephen D.
Bechtel
Brazilian recipient
Leonídio Ribeiro
Filho
American recipient
Robert O.
Anderson
Brazilian recipient
Roberto
Marinho
1979
1978
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
American recipient
Drummond C.
Bell
Brazilian recipient
Paulo D.
Villares
American recipient
David
Rockefeller
Brazilian recipient
H.e. Hélio
Beltrão
American recipient
William S.
Sneath
Brazilian recipient
Jorge Wolney
Atalla
American recipient
William L.
Naumann
Brazilian recipient
José Papa,
Jr.
American recipient
Henry Ford
Ii
Brazilian recipient
H.e. João Paulo
Dos Reis Vellose
American recipient
Ellmore C.
Patterson
Brazilian recipient
Augusto Trajano De
Azevedo Antunes
American recipient
The Hon.
Henry Kearns
Brazilian recipient
Caio De
Alcântara Machado
American recipient
Edwin H.
Gott
Brazilian recipient
Horário Sabino
Coimbra
American recipient
The Hon. Nelson
A. Rockefeller
Brazilian recipient
H.e. Mário Gibson
A. Barbosa
American recipient
George
Moore
Brazilian recipient
H.e. Antonio
Delfim Netto
Going Beyond
Business Success
Social responsibility and community impact deserve to be celebrated.
Beyond honoring influential leaders, the POY has also recognized, since 2019, Brazilian organizations dedicated to social responsibility and community impact. In 2025, Movimento Bem Maior was honored with the Philanthropy Award, Ensina Brasil was awarded the Social Responsibility in Leadership Development Award, and Leona Shluger Forman was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement in Social Responsibility Award. Other award recipients have included Parceiros da Educação, Amigos da Poli, and Motriz (2024); Amigos do Bem and Gerando Falcões (2023); and Instituto Brasil Solidário (2019). Check out more details about our latest recipients of the Social Responsibility and Community Impact awards.
POY
Brazil Week
A primary time during which Brazilians come to New York to discuss new ventures and collaborate with their business counterparts
What began as a single gala dinner has grown into POY Brazil Week, a series of high-profile business events attracting top executives, policymakers, and investors. Hosted by BrazilCham and leading institutions such as FGV Projetos, Bloomberg, and Bradesco, the week provides unparalleled opportunities for networking, discussions, and new ventures. Sponsoring companies and institutions — including Financial Times, Banco Itaú, and Forbes Brasil — support the week’s events, furthering the Chamber’s mission to strengthen Brazil-US ties.
70s
80s + 90s
2000s
2010s
The POY Awards began attracting high-profile financial leaders, with Edmond Safra hosting welcome receptions at Republic Bank’s headquarters. The Consul General of Brazil in New York also hosted cocktail receptions, while major banks organized smaller events for Brazilian clients, setting the foundation for POY’s prominence.
Since 2022, our honorees ring the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
The celebration includes the NYSE Opening Bell® ceremony, where POY honors ring the bell, honoring Brazilian-American relations and underscoring the Chamber's mission. Click on the image below to revisit the highlights.
Empowering
Future Leaders
Proceeds from the POY Awards Gala fund the Person of the Year Fellowship Program, which awards scholarships to exceptional young Brazilian professionals accepted into leading US graduate programs. Established in 2011, this program supports emerging professionals who show potential to drive impact in the Brazilian-American community. In partnership with Instituto Ling, Fundação Lemann, and United Airlines, our Fellowship Program has awarded 177 scholarships to date, fostering a new generation of transformative talents.
Person of the Year Archive
Discover the people and companies that have been shaping the history of Brazil-U.S. relations.
