Odilon Almeida A Global Executive driven by Purpose Who is shaping the future of Fintech

Odilon Almeida is a nimble global executive who has made an impact across several industries over his illustrious 30+ year career. His track has seen him drive transformational growth in the financial services, consumer goods and fintech sectors.

Presently serving as an Director and Board Member for NCR Atleos Corporation, a prominent provider of commerce and banking solutions. Almeida has brought to the role years of experience in management positions in major multinational corporations. His professional career has included key general management roles across the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

Almeida served as the Operating Partner at Advent International (a global leader in private equity) from 2019 to 2020. He supported the development of businesses and value creation efforts of Advent’s portfolio companies in the financial services and fintech industries.

Almeida was employed by The Western Union Company from 2002 until the year 2019, during which time he rose up the ranks to a variety of executive positions. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President & the President of Global Money Transfer, leading Western Union’s $5 billion global consumer digital and retail business in more than 200 nations and territories.

Almeida, in his role as Western Union’s Digital Transformation Manager spearheaded the company’s digital transformation which made it the world’s leader for cross-border payments to consumers. He conceived Western Union’s latest Omnichannel strategy. Customers now have many options to make and receive money through retail outlets, online and mobile apps. They can also use ATMs and bank accounts.

Almeida was previously president of the Americas/European union and was responsible for Western Union for its business across 98 counties, driving the growth. He also served as Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of Latin America and the Caribbean and the Caribbean, in charge of the expansion and growth of Western Union’s retail presence.

Almeida The man who started his career in the finance sector at Banco Itau, a Brazilian bank, gained valuable experience as a manager of marketing as well as in general management positions with multinational companies like The Coca-Cola Company. He started his career working for the Brazilian bank Banco Itau. There he worked as a Chief Marketing Office and Vice-President for Digital Ventures.

Alongside his executive career, Almeida has made significant contributions as a board member of large corporations across the globe. From 2015 until 2023, he served as an active board member for the Telecommunications firm Millicom International. He was chair of the Compliance and Business Conduct Committee at Millicom and also a member of the Audit Committee.

The advisory and board-level work of Almeida is also extended to non-profit and cultural institutions. He currently serves as a board member of the Vanto Group – a consulting company and training service – as well as the Vizcaya Musuem and Gardens, located in Miami, Florida.

Almeida has an MBA at Fundacao Getulio Vargas, Sao Paulo. He also holds undergraduate degrees in Civil Engineering at the Universidade de Sao Paulo (Universidade of Sao Paulo) and Instituto Maua de Tecnologia. Additionally, he completed executive courses at Harvard Business School Wharton and IMD.

Through his entire professional career, Almeida has been recognized as a visionary leader in accelerating both organic and organic growth. Almeida’s ability to guide large, global corporations, frequently within the context of rapidly evolving technologies and consumer habits, through major transformations is an integral part of his leadership style.

The experience of his leadership has had a major influence. The 166-year history of Western Union was transformed by the Almeida team, who built a strong mobile and online-based business which was a perfect complement to the company’s massive retail network. Almeida understood that embracing new technologies is important but not sufficient. He advocated an omni-channel approach and a customer-centric mindset to adapt to changing consumer needs.

Almeida is known for his leadership style that is focused on the customer experience. Digital capabilities form the foundation of this focus. He has always devised strategies to accelerate companies transitioning to cloud-based services, enabling clients to modernize their infrastructure and provide new digital experiences for their customers.

The track record of Almeida’s driving transformational change extends beyond the digital realm to major strategic transactions and geographic expansions. In his professional career, he has successfully implemented post-merger integrations and expansions, as well as ad hoc businesses into new markets, and streamlined global operating models for efficiency and growth.

Almeida’s philosophy of leadership is built on the importance that is placed on cultivating talent and promoting global diversity. He supports the creation of powerful, collaborative group of leaders and investing at all levels of human development. At Western Union, he sponsored numerous initiatives to help increase the number of women and multi-cultural talent into executive roles.

Having been a part of Brazil and the United States, Mexico, and Panama, Almeida brings a global outlook and multi-cultural proficiency to his approach to leadership. His ability to bridge cultures, geography and customer segments has played a key role in his success.

Almeida is well-positioned and is able to look ahead to help businesses navigate the next frontier of challenges and opportunities. With the speed of technological innovation, the shifting customer expectations and the rise of innovative business models, Almeida’s ability to think strategically and demonstrate change leadership will be in high demand.

Almeida has the opportunity, as he assumes new board and advisory positions to work with and share his knowledge with the wide range of companies that are looking to change and innovate to boost growth profitably. He can add value to many different contexts due to his expertise in both business-to-business and consumer environments in developing and mature markets.

Almeida is a proponent of responsible corporate citizenship, which can be a benefit when companies start to focus on the environmental, governance, and social impact. Almeida’s leadership on compliance, ethics in business, and corporate civic responsibility at Millicom and his involvement with cultural and education non-profits reflect his broad view of business in society.

Almeida helps shape the future of the industry in his position as Director of NCR Atleos. NCR Atleos offers software, hardware, and other services to support commerce-related applications like self-service banking and point-of sale, for financial institutions, retailers, and hospitality companies. NCR Atleos, under Almeida’s direction is in a prime position to lead the digital transformation of these industries, and to provide cutting-edge solutions that enhance the experience of customers.

Almeida is a leader in the Brazilian financial services sector. The recent appointment to Banco’s Board of Directors, a major Brazilian bank, demonstrates his influence. Almeida’s experience in digitalization, customer-centricity, and operational excellence will help Banco BV accelerate its growth and provide better service to its customers.

Almeida, a leader in his organization and a revered person in the global business community, is much more than just a corporate leader. He is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), a global executive community for chief executives. He has also been invited to speak at industry conferences and events. Almeida’s insights on leadership innovation, future trends in financial services and fintech are shared through these platforms.

Odilon Odilon. Almeida has been an internationally renowned executive for more than 20 years and has had an impact on many industries. Almeida has led large corporations through significant changes, bringing shareholder value and the desire to build technology-enabled business models that are customer-centric. As as a mentor or board member Almeida is well placed to influence the future of companies in the financial services and fintech industries. Through his strategic vision, operational discipline and values-based leadership, Almeida will undoubtedly leave an enduring legacy as a transformational leader and executive.