Carla Lacerda has been an effective leader of the energy sector through her work with the business community, government, and regulatory agencies. She retired as President of ExxonMobil Brazil, managing a robust upstream portfolio. Carla was also chairperson of ABEP/IBP Brazilian Petroleum Institute, overseeing various aspects of advocacy and regulatory frameworks for industry. In 2023, she was honored in receiving the ANP Award for Industry Person of the Year, in recognition of the 20+ years of work to encourage investments, research, development, and innovation efforts. Currently, Carla is President of the Brazil-Texas Chamber of Commerce (BRATECC) in Houston, Texas, and a Non-Resident Fellow with the Institute of the Americas at University of California San Diego (UCSD), in the Energy and Sustainability Program. In these positions, she is dedicated to fostering Brazil-US investment opportunity relationships, plus sharing of knowledge of new technologies, energy transition, and innovation. Carla is also active in Women’s Leadership Mentorship Programs and development of young leaders.