Felipa Xara-Brasil

With over 30 years of experience, including more than two decades in Executive Search, Leadership Advisory, and Board Consulting, Felipa Xara-Brasil is a trusted advisor to CEOs, Boards, and C-suite leaders, helping them build visionary leadership teams that drive growth, transformation, and resilience in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Felipa played a foundational role in establishing Heidrick & Struggles in Portugal as Managing Partner and spearheaded the startup of the Angola office, expanding business operations into Mozambique. She has deep expertise in leadership assessment, executive search, and compensation benchmarking, guiding organizations through complex governance challenges.

As former CFO, Felipa understands the strategic priorities of business leaders. She led financial and operational transformations in the TMT and services sectors, serving as Chief Financial Officer, Financial Director at the Lisbon Oceanarium and the Multipurpose Pavilion, and Controller for Danone International Brand. She began her career as a Senior Associate at KPMG, developing a sharp financial and analytical mindset that continues to shape her strategic advisory work today.

Felipa is recognized for her ability to connect with leaders, challenge conventional thinking, and drive organizations toward high-impact decisions. She blends strategic acumen with emotional intelligence, enabling her to navigate complexity, build trust, and align leadership teams around a shared vision.

Her leadership extends beyond the corporate world—she has dedicated 17 years to nonprofit organizations and a decade to educational & sports institutions, reinforcing her commitment to purpose-driven leadership and sustainable impact. A competitive athlete for over 40 years, she embodies resilience, discipline, and a results-driven mindset—qualities she brings to every leadership challenge she undertakes.

Felipa holds a degree in Management and Business Administration from Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics and has furthered her expertise with the Executive Advanced Management Program at Kellogg (2018) and the Certification in Corporate Governance from the IDP Programme at INSEAD (2022).

Felipa is fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. She operates seamlessly across international markets, offering a global outlook combined with deep local insights.