Carlos N. Guimarães is a distinguished leader whose four-decade career has shaped the trajectory of investment banking, energy transition, and sustainable development across Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the United States. Born in Brazil and now based in New York as a U.S. Permanent Resident, Carlos combines global vision with deep regional expertise. Trilingual in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and with a working knowledge of Italian and French, he is uniquely positioned to bridge cultural divides, navigate complex political landscapes, and build high-impact partnerships across continents.
Currently, Carlos serves as Chairman and Partner of LAIG Investments, a private investment company focused on Latin America’s energy sector with a growing presence in Israel. Under his leadership, LAIG has established a proven track record in renewable energy, fleet management, and energy efficiency. He is also Chairman of Enphys Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: NFYS), a $345 million special purpose acquisition company dedicated to energy transition assets, further solidifying his role as a leading voice in sustainability and infrastructure investment in the Americas.
Carlos’s career is marked by a series of transformative leadership roles. As Chairman and Co-Founder of Invest Tur Brasil, he led one of the most innovative and ambitious IPOs in Latin American history, raising $507 million in the public markets for a start-up with no assets—a first in the region. This bold move positioned the company as a leader in Brazil’s tourism-related real estate sector and facilitated a merger with LA Hotels, creating the country’s third-largest hotel operator. His work in this venture exemplifies his ability to envision large-scale opportunities, secure investor confidence, and execute complex corporate strategies with precision.
Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, Carlos held influential roles in the world’s most prestigious financial institutions. At Citigroup, he served as Head of Latin America Investment Banking, leading the firm to secure more qualitative recognitions in the region than any competitor, and executing landmark transactions across multiple sectors. His tenure at Lehman Brothers as Managing Director and Head of Latin America Investment Banking further demonstrated his capacity to guide major M&A, privatizations, and cross-border financing deals, often involving government agencies and multinational corporations.
Carlos’s early career includes founding LTCB Latin America on behalf of The Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, which he rapidly grew into the leading Asian financial institution in Latin America. His success was built on a blend of strategic foresight, operational excellence, and cultural fluency—qualities that allowed him to integrate teams across New York, São Paulo, Mexico City, London, and Tokyo, creating a powerful platform for cross-regional investment.
In the public sector, Carlos brought his transformative leadership to the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) as Private Sector Coordinator. There, he implemented the most profound reforms in the organization’s private sector initiatives since their inception, doubling the institution’s private sector portfolio to the statutory maximum and streamlining operations to dramatically reduce transaction processing times. His tenure at the IADB is remembered as a turning point in the bank’s approach to private investment in Latin America.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Carlos is a respected thought leader and public speaker, frequently invited to address global forums on Latin America’s macroeconomic outlook, energy transition strategies, and sustainable investment models. He has spoken at events hosted by The World Bank, The Economist, Forbes, Euromoney, the Council of the Americas, and leading universities, where his insights have shaped both policy and investor sentiment toward the region.
Throughout his career, Carlos has remained committed to fostering bilateral understanding and collaboration. He serves on the boards of the Council of the Americas/Americas Society, the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce, and a high-tech company in Mexico, while contributing to philanthropic initiatives such as BrazilFoundation. These roles reflect not only his professional expertise but also his dedication to promoting inclusive growth, education, and cross-cultural exchange.
Carlos’s personal journey—from earning a full merit scholarship from the Organization of American States to pursue an MBA at The Wharton School, to being recognized as one of the 40 most influential leaders in Latin American finance by LatinFinance—speaks to his perseverance, intellectual rigor, and unwavering commitment to excellence. He remains driven by a vision of harnessing capital, talent, and innovation to create sustainable economic growth and meaningful social impact.
Today, Carlos continues to shape the intersection of finance, infrastructure, and energy transition. His ability to unite stakeholders from diverse sectors and geographies has made him a sought-after board member, strategic advisor, and mentor. With an unparalleled combination of technical skill, cultural fluency, and forward-thinking leadership, he stands as a model of the modern global executive—one who leads not only with strategy but also with integrity and purpose.
Character:
Carlos is defined by his unwavering integrity, a trait that has earned him the trust of investors, colleagues, and public officials alike. He approaches every challenge with a commitment to fairness and a belief in creating value for all stakeholders. His personal values consistently guide his professional decisions, ensuring that his leadership remains both principled and impactful.
Knowledge:
With over four decades of experience spanning investment banking, infrastructure, and energy transition, Carlos brings unmatched expertise to the boardroom. His understanding of Latin America’s political, cultural, and economic dynamics is coupled with a global perspective gained from leading teams in Asia, Europe, and the United States. This breadth of knowledge allows him to navigate complexity with confidence and foresight.
Strategic:
Carlos possesses a rare ability to identify emerging trends and position organizations to capitalize on them ahead of the market. Whether executing record-breaking IPOs or driving institutional reforms, his decisions are rooted in a deep understanding of both macroeconomic conditions and organizational capabilities. His strategic acumen consistently delivers measurable results and long-term value.
Communication:
Fluent in three languages and experienced in multicultural negotiations, Carlos excels at conveying complex ideas in ways that inspire action. His leadership style is grounded in open dialogue, active listening, and the ability to align diverse stakeholders around a common vision. Whether speaking to global investors or local communities, his communication fosters trust, clarity, and collaboration.
