Early Life
Andre Santos Esteves was born on July 12, 1968, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to a middle-class family. His parents divorced when he was young. He was raised mainly by his mother, a university professor specializing in educational psychology, and his grandmother. He earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Rise to Success
Esteves's career began at the financial company Pactual. Within a year, he joined the foreign debt trading team. By his third year, he was managing IPOs and M&A deals. In 1992, he became a partner for helping the bank achieve a 59% return on capital. He engineered the sale of Pactual to Swiss banking giant UBS in 2006 for $3.1 billion. In 2008, he launched the BTG investment company. Later, he purchased Pactual back from UBS in 2009 for $2.5 billion, and BTG Pactual was formed.
Key Business Strategies
Esteves is known for his hard work and strategic vision. He begins his working week on Sunday evenings, discussing strategy with senior partners. He aims to turn BTG Pactual into the preeminent investment bank in Latin America, focusing on emerging markets. His leadership style is pragmatic and results-driven. He also leverages technology in Latin American finance.
Philanthropy
Esteves supports education and environmental charities. He is a member of the Global Board of Advisors of the Council on Foreign Relations. He has supported initiatives to improve education, healthcare, and promote the arts in Brazil. He is also a board member of Conservation International and the co-founder of Inteli, a nonprofit university focused on technology and leadership.