Marcelo Carvalho

Marcelo Carvalho is a globally recognised PhD economist and keynote speaker, known for translating complex macroeconomic trends into compelling and accessible stories. With a career spanning nearly three decades, Marcelo has worked at some of the world’s most respected institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and BNP Paribas, where he most recently held the role of Global Head of Economics. A captivating communicator, he delivers sharp insights on the global economy, financial markets, emerging economies and geopolitics to audiences worldwide.

Marcelo’s career began in São Paulo, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics from the University of São Paulo, winning the Prêmio USP de Economia as the top undergraduate student. He went on to complete a PhD in Economics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he received the Langhoff Memorial Award as the best graduate student. His early experience included an internship at the World Bank and a teaching post at the Federal Technical School of São Paulo, where he began developing his gift for making economics understandable and engaging for a wide range of audiences.

Marcelo has held senior positions across global financial institutions, including Chief Economist for Brazil at JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, ING and Itaú. At BNP Paribas, he rose through the ranks to become Head of Latin America Research, then Global Head of Emerging Markets Research, and ultimately Global Head of Economics, leading a team of over 30 economists across continents. He has delivered talks and briefings to C-suite executives, central banks, and major conferences worldwide, and has been featured regularly on CNBC, Bloomberg and Reuters as a leading voice on macroeconomic trends. His work has also earned recognition from Institutional Investor and Latin Finance for outstanding research and forecasting.

Event organisers choose Marcelo for his unique ability to turn global data and policy analysis into stories that inform, engage and inspire action. He covers essential topics such as global economic outlook, inflation, interest rates, political economy, capital flows, and emerging market strategy - issues that are top of mind for today’s business leaders. His keynotes help audiences make sense of economic uncertainty and identify strategic opportunities in a fast-changing world. Marcelo is an excellent choice for events seeking real insight, clear communication, and a global perspective grounded in decades of top-tier experience.