Ana Paula Vitelli

Ana Paulal Vitelli was appointed as the Rio Center’s director in April 2026, bringing more than 30 years of executive and academic experience in Brazil and globally.

Before joining Columbia Global Center Rio, Vitelli served as managing director of Blue Management Institute, advising senior executives on strategy, leadership, and organizational culture.

Previously, she served as regional director for South America at the University of Manchester. In this role, she led strategic partnerships that expanded its influence and increased student enrollment. Earlier in her career at Fundação Getulio Vargas, she oversaw operations for more than 200 programs annually. She has applied her expertise to international development projects, notably serving as a consultant for the UK Prosperity Fund – Future Cities project in the area of gender and inclusion.

Vitelli served as president and chairwoman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Brazil, and in 2025 was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for her outstanding service on the board of Britcham.

Vitelli holds a bachelor’s in business administration, a master’s in business management, and a PhD in organizational behavior, all from Fundação Getulio Vargas. She is the author of the book, A Mulher (In) Visível: vida, trabalho, caminho e escolhas (The (In)Visible Woman: Life, Work, Pathways, and Choices).