Brazil: Perennial Country of the Future—or a Market Investors Can’t Afford to Ignore?
Summary: Brazil has long been a market of extraordinary opportunity—and equally extraordinary complexity. Drawing on more than three decades of investing in Brazil and Latin America, this discussion will examine the country through the lens of a global investor: what makes Brazil strategically important, what has historically driven investment returns, and why politics, fiscal policy, interest rates, currencies, and institutions matter so much to the investment case. The timing is particularly relevant, coming immediately after Brazil’s 2026 presidential election, providing an opportunity to assess how the next administration’s policy direction could shape the coming four years. Beyond the economic cycle, Brazil possesses structural advantages few countries can replicate: vast agricultural and mineral resources, a predominantly low-carbon electricity system, enormous freshwater resources, and nearly 60% of its land area covered by forests. The discussion will explore how these advantages intersect with Brazil’s persistent challenges—including fiscal sustainability, productivity, infrastructure, inequality, and political volatility—and what investors should look for when separating Brazil’s long-term potential from its shorter-term cycles.
Speaker bio: Will Landers is the Executive Director of Young Investors Society, a nonprofit organization focused on financial literacy and investment education for high school students. Prior to assuming that role in September 2025, Will spent 34 years in finance, with extensive experience in investment management, equity research, and investment banking, primarily focused on Brazil and Latin America. Most recently, Will was a Managing Partner at BTG Pactual, where he oversaw the firm’s Third-Party Distribution business. He previously managed Latin American equities at BTG Asset Management and spent 17 years at BlackRock, where his team managed up to $12 billion in dedicated Latin American assets and consistently delivered top-quartile performance through the decade ending in 2018. Earlier in his career, Will worked in Latin American equity research at CSFB Tech Group and Lehman Brothers and began his career in Latin American investment banking at Bear Stearns. In addition to his investment career, Will has remained deeply involved with Brazil through his business and nonprofit activities. He serves as Board Chair of BrazilFoundation, is a board member of the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce, and is a board advisor to the Brazil-Texas Chamber of Commerce. Will graduated from Georgetown University in 1991 with a BSBA in Finance and International Management and a minor in Theology. He is a CFA charterholder.
This event is co-sponsored by the Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies & the Institute of Latin American Studies (ILAS).
Registration is required for all individuals not affiliated with Columbia University.
