WCMA 2026 Honors Leaders and Students, Celebrates International Education in São Paulo

IBS Americas hosted the World Class Manager Award 2026 on November 6, 2026, at Club Homs, located on Paulista Avenue in São Paulo, Brazil. The ceremony recognized distinguished professionals in academia and business, honored students from international programs, and featured a special performance by the Locomotiva Orchestra.

The event brought together business leaders, professors, representatives from partner universities, and students from several countries, including South Africa, Italy, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Venezuela, and Brazil. The program featured the presentation of two World Class Manager Awards, in the Academic and Executive categories, as well as Academic Award certificates recognizing outstanding IBS Americas students.

Ceremony Brings Together Leaders from Academia and Business

Hosted by Prof. Aldo Brunhara, Director of Institutional Relations at IBS Americas, the ceremony welcomed guests from Brazilian and international institutions.

Among those in attendance were Prof. Kathryn Lum from Unifesp; Prof. Leandro Sousa de Freitas from USP; Ana Paula Gonçalves Serra from Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia; Renato de Souza Santos from Faculdade Impacta; Nilo Vieira from Fatec; and Piergiorgio Dal Santo and Paolo Bellamoli from CUOA Business School. Other distinguished guests included Ester Jeunun, Sandra Turchi, Antonio Azambuja, Fernando Custódio, and Marcus Nakagawa.

During his remarks, Prof. Ricardo Britto, Dean of IBS Americas, emphasized the role of international education in developing future leaders and addressed challenges related to democracy, human rights, and cross-cultural understanding.

“Diversity and cooperation are essential to building a better future,” he stated, reinforcing that international experiences extend beyond professional development by broadening perspectives and encouraging respect for differences.

World Class Manager Award 2026: Meet This Year's Honorees

Presented since 2013, the World Class Manager Award recognizes outstanding professional achievements that contribute to business, education, and international cooperation. In 2026, two distinguished professionals received the honor:

Marcos Macedo, Academic Category. CEO of Summit-BRA and Coordinator of the MBA in Solutions Architecture at FIAP. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of São Paulo (USP) and works at the intersection of technology, business strategy, and executive education. Jefte Barboza accepted the award on his behalf.

Guilherme Melhado Miranda, Executive Category. Global Director of Fluff and Fiber Solutions at Suzano, with approximately two decades of experience in leadership, commercial strategy, and international business, including previous roles at Mondelēz International and Ambev. Mateus Ávila represented him and accepted the award during the ceremony.

Unable to attend in person, both honorees participated through recorded video messages presented to the audience, sharing reflections on their professional journeys and experiences.

Academic Award 2026 Recognizes the Year's Outstanding Students

Academic excellence was also a highlight of the ceremony, with the presentation of Academic Award certificates to the Outstanding Students recognized for their academic performance, dedication, and commitment throughout IBS Americas' international programs.

A total of 49 students received their certificates in person, in a celebration that recognized not only their academic achievements but also the cultural diversity and valuable learning experiences made possible through international education.

The honorees participated in programs offered in partnership with six educational institutions in the United States and Europe:

• University of La Verne (ULV), United States;

• California State University, Northridge (CSUN), United States;

• State University of New York (SUNY), United States;

• Florida Atlantic University (FAU), United States;

• CUOA Business School, Italy;

• Bayswater College London, United Kingdom.

The recognition segment was introduced by Prof. Daniel Pitelli, who highlighted the dedication and effort required to prepare for and successfully complete these international programs. The certificate presentation was led by Prof. Aldo Brunhara, with the participation of academic representatives.

Samantha Noguera Peñuela, from Venezuela, and Ridwan Kwame Gyamarah Gyimah, from South Africa, shared their experiences in the international programs. The ceremony also provided an opportunity for students, professors, and classmates from different countries to reconnect.

Another highlight of the evening was the recognition of the winning team from the Brazil Management Week 2026 Case Study Competition, which showcased the practical application of management knowledge.

Locomotiva Orchestra Makes Its Debut at the Event with a Special Musical Performance

The 2026 edition marked the first appearance of the Locomotiva Orchestra at the World Class Manager Award. Its musical performance concluded the evening's recognition program and highlighted the initiative's commitment to social inclusion.

Founded in 2008, the Locomotiva João Ramalho Association is a nonprofit organization that provides free music education, primarily to children and teenagers from socially vulnerable communities. According to the initiative's official website, its activities extend across several locations and cities in the state of São Paulo.

The association was selected by IBS Americas as the beneficiary of the charitable fundraising initiative associated with the ceremony. In previous editions, the supported organization was the nonprofit Arte na Lata.

International Education, Leadership, and Social Impact

By bringing together executives, educators, and students, the World Class Manager Award 2026 highlighted outstanding professional journeys, academic achievements, and initiatives dedicated to creating positive social impact.

The presentation of awards and certificates, personal reflections shared by participants, and the musical performance demonstrated the many ways individuals and organizations can contribute to society.

For IBS Americas, the ceremony also reinforced the importance of international experiences in professional development and in building meaningful connections among people from different cultures, backgrounds, and fields of expertise.