Past National Presidents – Legacy of Leadership and Inspiration
Since its founding in 1987, BPW Brazil has been guided by visionary women who, with dedication and commitment, have driven the organization’s growth and promoted female empowerment throughout the country. Each president has left a unique mark, contributing to the construction of a solid and influential network.
Each of these leaders helped shape the trajectory of BPW Brazil, consolidating values such as sisterhood, ethics, innovation and female leadership. With talent and a collaborative spirit, they strengthened the organization's identity, expanded its presence nationally and internationally, and created solid foundations for the development of new generations of female leaders.
Their legacies live on in every project, action and achievement of BPW, inspiring associates from all over Brazil to continue building an increasingly strong, plural organization committed to the future of women in the business world and in society.
Margarida Hiroko Yassuda
(2019 - 2022)
13th President
A professional with a solid track record in the hotel and tourism sectors, the thirteenth president of BPW Brazil began her term with the motto:
“A single swallow does not make a summer. Let's all fly together in the BPW!”
This collaborative vision became even more essential in light of the unexpected scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic, which profoundly challenged the organization's operating structure.
Margarida Hiroko Yassuda's tenure as president of BPW Brazil, from 2020 to 2023, was marked by strategic leadership, international connections and a focus on strengthening the organization's institutional structure. With a solid track record at BPW São Paulo since 2005, where she served as 1st vice president and senior advisor, Margarida brought her experience in social and environmental projects to the organization's national leadership.
Eunice Aparecida Cruz
(2013-2019)
12th President
For the first time in the history of BPW Brazil, a president was reelected, taking on two consecutive terms at the head of the federation. This continuity allowed us to strengthen existing projects, expand strategic partnerships and consolidate the organization's leading role at national and international levels.
During its management, BPW Brasil had a prominent participation in important global events, such as:
• the BPW International Congress in Egypt (2017),
• the World Water Forum in Brasilia (2018),
• the Latin American Regional Congress in Ecuador (2019),
• and the Industry and Trade Forum of the Russian Federation (2019).
In these spaces, Brazil was recognized for its significant performance and the projects presented, which received international awards. Among them, the following stand out:
Entrepreneurs of the Future,
Tree is Life,
Donating Lives,
and Trees and Bees: The Nectar of Life.
The management was also marked by the expansion of the network, with the founding of six new local associations:
BPW Bento Gonçalves/RS, BPW Salvador/BA, BPW Aracaju/SE, BPW Dourados/MS, BPW Araçatuba/SP and BPW Belo Horizonte/MG.
With a focus on the renewal and future of the organization, there was great encouragement for young members to join, culminating in the holding of the 1st BPW Jovem do Brasil Congress, in Cuiabá (2018) — a milestone for the engagement of the new generation of female leaders.
During the period, three editions of CONFAM were held:
• Brasilia (2017)
• Florianopolis (2018)
• London (2019)
All with record participation, intense exchange of experiences and the official presence of BPW International and BPW Latin America, strengthening the organization's global ties.
Her management stood out for combining innovation, integration and an active international presence, consolidating BPW Brazil as a reference for female leadership in the world.
Eunice Aparecida Cruz
(2013-2016)
11th President
During her tenure, the eleventh president of BPW Brazil strongly boosted the organization's national and international visibility through strategic partnerships and active participation in events promoted by public and private institutions, as well as multilateral organizations.
BPW Brasil was present at meetings and projects promoted by CNDM, SEBRAE, Global Summit of Women, ITC – International Trade Center, CSW/UN and Expo Milan, consolidating its role as a reference entity in female empowerment and leadership development.
Aiming to strengthen BPW's institutional identity in the country, actions were standardized and encouraged in all local units through the following projects:
“March is Women”, “Equal Work, Equal Pay” and “Donating Lives”, which have become part of the official BPW Brazil calendar.
During this period, the associations BPW Naviraí/MS (2016) and BPW Goiânia/GO were founded, expanding the national network.
The management also had intense participation in important events such as:
Latin American Regional Congress (Costa Rica – 2013 and Mexico – 2016);
BPW International Congress (South Korea – 2014);
CONFAMs in Cuiabá/MT (2014), Ship MSC Armonia (2015) and Porto Alegre/RS (2016);
Regional Meetings in the Southeast (Rio de Janeiro – 2014), Central-West (Campo Grande – 2015) and the South-Southeast Interregional (Londrina – 2016).
His presidency marked a phase of expansion, integration and institutional strengthening, leaving as a legacy the standardization of actions and greater projection of BPW Brasil at all levels.
Sueli Baptist of the Saints
(2011–2013)
10th President
A businesswoman and journalist, the tenth president of BPW Brazil brought to her management a strategic vision combined with a commitment to sustainability and institutional memory. It was during her tenure that the BPW Sustainable Development Program was born, conceived and implemented as a cross-cutting axis of the federation's actions, guiding projects focused on positive social, environmental and economic impact.
Sueli Batista dos Santos' tenure as president of BPW Brazil between 2011 and 2013 was marked by innovative leadership, sensitivity to social causes and commitment to strengthening the network of businesswomen and professionals throughout the country. Founder of BPW Cuiabá in 2001, Sueli already had a solid track record of engagement, which gave her legitimacy to lead the national federation.
Arlete Carminatti Zago
(2009-2011)
9th President
A lawyer by training and a natural leader, the ninth president of BPW Brazil stood out for her ability to articulate nationally and internationally, promoting greater insertion of the organization on the global stage.
Arlete Carminatti Zago was president of BPW Brasil from 2008 to 2011, a period marked by dynamic and strategic management that strengthened the organization's presence throughout the country. Founder of BPW Florianópolis, Arlete already had a solid track record within the network, having served as 1st Vice President in the previous administration and being a member of the Executive Committee for nine years.
Beatriz Zanella Fett
(2005–2008)
8th President
A coffee producer and farmer, the eighth president of BPW Brasil brought a practical and entrepreneurial perspective to her management, with a focus on concrete results and strategic partnerships.
During his management, important projects were initiated and completed through technical cooperation agreements, expanding BPW's operations in different regions of the country and strengthening the social impact of actions developed by local associations.
Beatriz Zanella Fett's tenure as president of BPW Brazil, from 2005 to 2008, was marked by strategic and internationally connected leadership, promoting the institutional strengthening of the organization and the expansion of its presence on the global stage.
Ana Luisa Fernandes Goncalves (2002–2005)
7th President
The seventh president of BPW Brazil works in the legal field. During her tenure, partnerships were strengthened, culminating in the signing of a technical cooperation agreement with SEBRAE Nacional and the Secretariat for Women's Policies (SPM), linked to the Presidency of the Republic. Initially, this agreement benefited 11 local BPW units, with an investment of approximately R$1.5 million earmarked for projects focused on female entrepreneurship.
Maria Ines Garcia Bunning (2005–2008)
6th President
A member of BPW Campo Grande, the sixth president of BPW Brazil was elected during the XI CONFAM, held in 1999, in the city of Belém do Pará. Her term was marked by the enhancement of the organization's international visibility and the strengthening of Brazil's image within BPW International.
One of the highlights of his leadership was his participation in the XXIII BPW International Congress, in Vancouver, Canada, where, with the support of the Federal Government and Embratur, BPW Brazil set up an institutional stand, promoting the country and its tourism potential.
The action represented not only BPW Brazil's insertion into the international scene, but also a demonstration of the organization's strength in promoting Brazil as a tourist destination and Brazilian women as agents of social and economic transformation.
Liliana Ribas Tavarnaro
(1996–1999)
5th President
A businesswoman committed to promoting female leadership, the fifth president of BPW Brazil led her administration with a focus on consolidating the organization's international operations.
During her presidency, the III Regional Congress of Latin America and Spanish-speaking Caribbean countries was held in Brazil — a historic milestone that brought together, for the first time, in national territory, businesswomen and professionals from the entire region.
This event was only possible thanks to the coordination initiated by the previous administration, which actively participated in the XXII International Congress of the BPW, in Venice, Italy, in 1996, paving the way for this achievement.
The fifth president left as a legacy the strengthening of dialogue between BPWs in Latin America and the Caribbean, promoting fundamental debates on leadership, entrepreneurship and continental integration.
Ivete Senise Ferreira
(1994–1996)
4th President
With strong involvement since the early years of BPW in Brazil, the fourth president's main hallmark of her administration was encouraging the international integration of Brazilian members. A defender of the global representation of Brazilian women, she worked to ensure that more members of BPW Brazil occupied leadership positions outside the country.
Her legacy includes the important achievement during the XXII International Congress of BPW, held in Venice, Italy, in 1996, when Amália Ruth Borges Schimidt, one of the founders of BPW Brazil, was elected vice-president of BPW International — a milestone for Brazil's presence on the organization's global stage.
Maria Cecilia Rosenmann (1992–1994)
3rd President
A farmer and entrepreneur with a strong presence in the area of administration and asset management, the third president of BPW Brasil played an essential role in the expansion of the network in the South of the country.
During his tenure, he founded several BPW associations in different regions, consolidating the organization's presence in new cities and states. His leadership was marked by strategic articulation and institutional strengthening of BPW Brazil, both nationally and internationally.
Recognized for her competence and vision, she achieved prominent positions within BPW International, expanding Brazil's representation in the entity's global bodies.
Marta Bittar Cury
(1990–1992)
2nd President
A businesswoman, event planner and event organizer, the second president of BPW Brasil was one of the people most responsible for consolidating the organization's foundations. Her career is directly linked to the history of BPW Brasília, the second association created in the country and to which she has dedicated herself for more than three decades.
She was one of the founders of BPW Brasil alongside Amália Ruth, and her management contributed significantly to institutional strengthening, the expansion of the number of clubs and the appreciation of women in business and professions.
Maria Paula Caetano da Silva
(1988–1990)
1st President: A Milestone in the History of BPW Brazil
The first president of BPW Brazil was a visionary woman, with a strong public presence as superintendent of SUDAM (Superintendence for the Development of the Amazon). With leadership and commitment, she was responsible for founding several BPW associations in different regions of the country, contributing to the expansion and strengthening of the network.
During her tenure, the 1st CONFAM – National Convention of the Federation of Business and Professional Women's Associations was held in 1989 in the city of Embu das Artes (SP). The event was hosted by BPW São Paulo, the first association founded in Brazil, consolidating the beginning of a trajectory of unity, protagonism and national articulation among Brazilian BPWs.