THE BRAZILIAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE SOUTHEAST (BACC-SE)

Under Ms. Lucia Jennings’s leadership, the BACC-SE grew to become one of the most active bi-national chambers in Atlanta. Ms. Lucia Jennings was instrumental in bringing to Georgia foreign dignitaries including the former president of Brazil, The Honorable Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Brazilian Ambassadors and Ministers to speak at Chamber-organized events.

Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, BACC-SE serves the following states: Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Ms. Lucia Jennings

President & Founder, BACC-SE

As a resident of Atlanta for more than 40 years, Ms. Lucia Jennings is very well acquainted with the International Business Community and how to seek access to government officials. She is the “go to person” for Brazilian and American entrepreneurs wishing to investigate business opportunities in both countries. From the entertainment industry to commodity trading, BACCE-SE can assist in projects at any phase or stage by providing valuable intelligence that will facilitate achieving absolute success.

In 2007, Atlanta Magazine named Ms. Lucia Jennings as one of the “World Class Fifty-Five Most Influential Foreign-Born Atlantans.” Ms. Lucia Jennings has been featured in several publications, radio and television shows, as well as speaking engagements in the U.S. and Brazil. As a leader of the Brazilian Chamber of the Southeast, her advice has shaped the way Brazilian businesses do business in the Southeast.

On its 15th year in existence, BACC-SE received a Proclamation from Fulton County Commissioner; Dr. John H. Eaves for the outstanding job BACC-SE has done in creating jobs by guiding Brazilian companies expand their operations into the Atlanta area.

In addition to many key events, the Annual Brazil Economic Outlook in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is one that has been on every international business calendar. Several distinguished speakers and affluent economists have been part of the panel discussions.

Mission Statement

To provide a unique, mutually Inclusive, two-way gateway for our members and their businesses aimed at creating new commercial and personal links In both Brazil and the Southeastern USA. If your goal Is expanding your business overseas, look no further than Brazil; With the BACC-SE on your side, you can easily explore South America's largest consumer market like a seasoned, global entrepreneur.

Vision

The BACC-SE is driven by a futuristic outlook of close commercial ties between the two regions and beyond. Our goal is to be the most instrumental aide to businesses on both sides in establishing and nurturing trade and commerce in general. We like to hear “thank you, we could not have succeeded without the BACC-SE”.

Values

At BACC-SE, we are committed to cultivating trust and respect between the people and institutions of both countries. We will promote trade based on mutual benefits and fair, honest and long-term, ethical commerce.

LEADERSHIP EXECUTIVES

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Mauricio
Vianna

Chairman

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Mauricio is a Computer Engineer with an MSc. & Ph.D. in Computer Science from Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). Extensive experience as a consultant in companies such as the Chicago Board of Trade Clearing Co., Performance Computing Inc., Miller&Fairchild Inc., Claro, Vivo, Oracle, and Bradesco Seguros.

He has published several articles at the international conferences of IEEE and ACM. He founded MJV Technology & Innovation in 1997 - the global consulting firm now has over 1,300 experts and a presence in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. He has been part of the BACC-SE as a board member since 2020.

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Bruna
Lopes

Vice-president

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Bruna Lopes holds an MBA in Digital Transformation and the Future of Business, specialization in Communication Design and Marketing at the Wilson School of Design in Canada, and a bachelor's in Industrial Design.

She is an Innovation Director at MJV Technology & Innovation, and she is accountable for several projects, supported by approaches such as service design, strategic foresight, and agile. She also had the opportunity to lead and participate in innovation missions to Amsterdam, New York, San Francisco, and Hong Kong.

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Celso
Pinho

Sr. Executive Director

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Celso Pinho is a skillful professional with almost 30 years of diverse experience in the oil and gas industry, where he played senior directive and executive roles.

With a global business perspective, this solid know-how fostered his expertise in many aspects, such as leadership in multicultural collaborations, strategy and goal setting, teaching, coaching and mentoring, and business management in complex multinational environments.

With a Ph.D. in business administration with a specialization in international business, Celso is driven by the challenges of companies creating value and thriving complexities across multicultural business environments.

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Gisele
Gofman

Executive Director

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Gisele Gofman is a savvy professional with +18 years of experience acquired working for big companies in various segments such as IT, telecom, finance, service, and retail. She managed and led B2B events and customer relations initiatives, aiming to leverage sales on a sustainable and long-term basis.

Mrs. Gofman is an executive with expertise in developing and cultivating long-lasting relationships and a strong background in market analysis, demand generation metrics, sales performance dashboards, and leading teams on administrative tasks. 

In February 2024, Gisele joined the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeast (BACC-SE) as an Executive Director, leading BACC-SE initiatives to foster and strengthen new commercial and personal relationships in Brazil and the Southeastern USA.

Mrs. Gofman has also been the Business and Marketing Professor at Underwood University since 2018. She graduated with a degree in business and a master's in marketing from ESPM in Brazil.