ABOUT THE HONOREES
JOÃO VITOR MENIN
2024 Brazil-Florida Innovation and Vision Award
Vitor Menin, the CEO of Inter&Co, is a visionary leader with a wealth of experience in the financial and capital markets. With a remarkable tenure spanning over 20 years, he has been instrumental in overseeing the company's most significant projects since 2004.
Recognized as the "Father of Digital Banking," Menin led the transformation of Inter&Co a traditional family banking business into the 1st digital bank in Latin America and a thriving multibillion-dollar enterprise with its financial super app. Under his leadership, the financial services successfully went public on Nasdaq in 2022, solidifying its position as a major player in the industry in the US Market.
Menin's contribution to Inter&Co has been substantial, as he served on the Board of Directors from 2005 to 2019 and assumed the role of Executive Director in 2008. In 2016, he took the helm as CEO, guiding the company to unparalleled growth and success.
Beyond his stellar business acumen, Menin holds a degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA in Finance, which further enhances his understanding of the complex financial landscape. His proficiency in merging innovation with strategic planning has been pivotal in driving Inter&Co's continuous advancement.
João Vitor Menin stands as a true visionary, propelling Inter&Co to new heights in the digital banking landscape and beyond.
PATRICK GODDARD
2024 Brazil-Florida Sustainability and Impact Award
Patrick Goddard is President of Brightline, the leading provider of eco-friendly intercity passenger rail in the United States, connecting city pairs that are too far to fly and too close to drive. In his role, he oversees the company's multi-billion-dollar intercity passenger rail development and spearheads its hospitality-driven go-to-market strategy, which includes the oversight of more than 1.5 million square feet of transit-oriented development.
Under Patrick’s leadership, Brightline successfully completed a $2.7 billion expansion project to Orlando, connecting Central and South Florida. This marked the reintroduction of intercity passenger rail in the US after more than a century. During this expansion, Patrick managed the development of Basecamp, a $100 million facility situated on 62 acres of Orlando International Airport property, now the most advanced train maintenance facility in the region.
Patrick's primary focus revolves around building a distinctive brand experience that caters to the lifestyle and leisure of both Floridians and visitors, promoting train travel as a convenient alternative to driving. In 2021, as part of Brightline's relaunch, he oversaw the introduction of Brightline+, an innovative first-last mile service designed to address guests' mobility needs and provide seamless connectivity to top events and destinations throughout the state.
Patrick Goddard has earned recognition as one of Orlando Magazine's "Orlando 50 Most Powerful People," and he's been named among South Florida Business Journal's "Power Leaders 250" and Florida Trend's "500 Most Influential Leaders." He also holds influential positions in organizations such as the Florida Council of 100 and is a proud graduate of Leadership Florida's Executive Class 11. Patrick actively serves on the boards of the Miami Downtown Development Authority and the FIFA World Cup 2026 ™Miami Host Committee.
Before joining Brightline, Patrick had a background in the hotel industry. He founded and led Trust Hospitality and Ocean Blue Hospitality, both hotel management companies specializing in the luxury and boutique hotel sectors, after gaining over a decade of experience working for Rosewood Hotels, Loews Hotels, and Hilton Hotels.
For more information, contact events@brazilfloridabusiness.com
