Board member at Dengo, Baruel, and Natural One; former CEO of Mãe Terra - Unilever.
“Yacoff represents the frontier of thought in corporate communication and reputation. In addition to his experience in major organizations, his trajectory as a successful entrepreneur gives him an assertive and realistic view of the strategic challenges faced by brands.”
Former Communications Advisor at Petrobras; former Secretary of Social Communication for the State of São Paulo; former Corporate Director at Grupo Abril; former Director and Editor at Gazeta Mercantil.
“I became more closely acquainted with his work when I was responsible for communications at Petrobras, under the leadership of Philippe Reichstul. The entire sponsorship system of the state-owned company was reviewed and reorganized through his methodology. He established a public call-for-proposals system aligned with Petrobras’s transparency goals. An iconic project where chaos once reigned. He is a master.”
Member of the Global Leadership Team and LatAm Leader at Ashoka; board member at Avina Foundation, São Paulo Sustentável Institute, and Conectas Human Rights.
“Yacoff works with brands in an innovative way and has a consistent track record of bringing together branding and values. As a board member in Brazil for Ashoka — the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs — I have the privilege of continuing to learn from his entrepreneurial spirit, thought-provoking questions, and strategic guidance.”
Former Executive President of Abracom - Brazilian Association of Communication Agencies.
“As board member at Abracom, Yacoff Sarkovas proved to be a lucid leader with a keen understanding of the most sensitive aspects of the Brazilian PR market, identifying trends, analyzing scenarios, and helping us guide the association’s strategies.”
CEO of Carol Cone On Purpose.
“Yacoff Sarkovas is one of the world’s visionaries regarding the power of purpose to advance corporate success. For decades, he has been an intimate counselor to the C-suite, effectively guiding their purpose journeys for both business and societal impact.”
Director of Beja Institute; former Executive Director of ICE - Business Citizenship Institute; former Executive Director at Ashoka.
“I’ve known Yacoff since 1995, when he was already a reference while teaching in the Cultural Economics course at EAESP-FGV and for his pioneering work on purpose-driven branding. As a board advisor at Ashoka, he exceeded all expectations. Quick to understand problems, he contributed insights and reflections that greatly helped us.”
Consultant for Family Businesses and Associate Partner at Bridge Business Advisors; former Executive Director of the Votorantim Family Council.
“His experience is significant. He has a great deal to offer the market. Yacoff is an outstanding advisor for both Boards and Committees.”
Senior Full Professor at ECA-USP, in Journalism, Digital Communication, and Society; PhD and Associate Professor in Communication Sciences, specializing in Technologies and Communication in Digital Environments.
“Yacoff Sarkovas was a reference for me in the cultural field. My positive perception deepened through closer interaction in corporate communication. His innovative role in the corporate world and his understanding that academia is an integral part of the market only expanded my admiration.”
Full Professor at ECA-USP; member of the Scientific Council of IdEA - Institute of Advanced Studies at Unicamp, the Advisory Boards of Aberje and Agência Pública, and the Ethics Council of Abracom; member of the São Paulo Academy of Letters; columnist at O Estado de S. Paulo.
“Yacoff impresses me with his talent, sensitivity, competence, and a very rare ability to combine a refined cultural repertoire with remarkable expertise in management, administration, planning, and governance. He has accumulated unmatched experience throughout his productive and highly successful career.”
Owner of Design do Pensamento; board member at Corporal Incorporadora; former President and Board Member at Porto Seguro.
“I met Yacoff when I was leading Porto Seguro, which was seeking to clearly articulate its values and principles. He always challenged me with deep, assertive questions. He helped us consolidate concepts, elevate the importance of brand reputation, and make decisions and actions measurable.”
Co-founder and Co-chair of the Board of Natura &Co; founder of Dengo; founder of Arapyaú Institute and RAPS – Political Action Network for Sustainability.
“Yacoff has been a long-standing partner, respected and admired for his ability to interpret organizations and their contexts, seeking intersections between the public and private spheres and crafting brand expressions that generate value for all. He's an ace!"
Chairman of the Board at Copasa; CEO and Co-founder of Virtu GNL; former CEO of Aegea Saneamento.
“Yacoff and his team played a critical role in defining and strengthening Aegea’s positioning as a public service provider before its stakeholders. He contributed to establishing communication standards and crisis response protocols, protecting and enhancing the company’s reputation.”
President of the Akatu Institute for Conscious Consumption; former Director and Board Member at Ethos Institute.
“Yacoff Sarkovas was one of the pioneers and became a benchmark in branding development linked to values and purpose. It’s a privilege to share ideas, problems, and solutions with him because he always enriches the dialogue, regardless of the starting point.”
Director at G&R Gestão Empresarial; Vice-Chair of the Board at ENEVA; board member at Repsol, TAM, Fives Group, and Lhois Brasil; former CEO of Petrobras under President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
“Yacoff’s contribution to a Board of Directors—now increasingly challenged by stakeholders and shareholders to go beyond value creation—is unique. It was a great comfort to work with him, especially in times of crisis.”
President of Ibá – Brazilian Tree Industry; board member at Klabin, Embrapii – Brazilian Company for Industrial Research and Innovation, IEDI – Institute for Industrial Development Studies, and Osesp Foundation; former President of Fiesp/Ciesp, Sesi, Senai, and Sebrae.
“Yacoff is a remarkable professional, with solid culture, diverse experience, maturity, serenity, and sound judgment. I’ve followed his consistent ability to add value for decades, including as a client. He’s someone you want close and can confidently recommend.”
President of World Vision Brazil; director at Nextt 49+; professor at Unifesp – Federal University of São Paulo and FDC – Dom Cabral Foundation; former Academic Director at ESPM – School of Advertising and Marketing.
“Yacoff is a pioneer of concepts that aim to integrate public and economic interests in Brazil. A creative leader, enthusiastic about promoting and sharing new ideas. He has a unique ability to find solutions, spot the unexpected, persevere, and believe that things can be done better. He brought a new chapter to the Brazilian scene, impacting a whole generation.”
Appellate Judge at the São Paulo State Court; former President of CNDA – National Council for Copyright; author of reference works and legal opinions on Copyright Law.
“We tackled complex issues together in the 1980s to modernize the management of copyright. Since then, Yacoff has continued to show remarkable professional traits that were already evident back then: creativity and proficiency in planning and executing bold projects, which he continues to build across different fields to this day.”
Founder and President of Grupo Meio & Mensagem.
“I’ve followed Yacoff since the 1990s. He is a focused, dedicated, and competent entrepreneur, successful in all his endeavors, demonstrating leadership and deep knowledge. In communication, his expertise has contributed significantly to adding value and refining the positioning of major brands.”
Partner and Consultant at ZV Consultoria; board member at Hand; former Corporate Marketing Director at SulAmérica Seguros e Previdência.
“Throughout his career, Yacoff Sarkovas has been a great partner to SulAmérica. With skill and competence, he helped us structure our entire Cultural and Sports Sponsorship Policy and offered a fresh perspective on how to engage our diverse stakeholders.”
Board member at Sonae Sierra and former CEO of Sonae Sierra Brasil; member of the Fiscal Council at Allos.
“Yacoff Sarkovas is a brilliant mind who supported us in the repositioning of the Sonae Sierra Brasil brand, bringing all his competence and empathy in understanding the company’s values. A pioneer, genuine, persuasive, and conciliatory, Yacoff is one of the most knowledgeable professionals in the Brazilian market when it comes to engagement, reputation, and corporate purpose.”
CEO of Aché; Chairman of the Board at Track&Field; board member at Baruel and Executive Committee member at Akatu Institute; former President of Avon Brazil and Flora; former COO at Natura.
“Yacoff always compels us to dig deeper into what we’re doing and proposing. Depth in everything he does.”
Chairman and Founding Partner of Lew’Lara\TBWA; President of CENP – Executive Council of Standard Norms; board member of Osesp Foundation, Childhood Brasil, ICE – Institute for Corporate Citizenship; Communications Director at Bienal Foundation.
“Pioneering, multimedia, provocative, and analytical, Yacoff brought a new vision on corporate purpose and its connections with society, developing mobilizing content and causes. He contributes to shaping a market where competitiveness and sustainability are core values for a more inclusive society.”
Founder and Co-Chairman of the Board at Natura &Co.
“I became an admirer of Yacoff over many years of professional interaction, for his worldview, experience, sensitivity, and insight. I trust the quality of his contribution to both companies and society.”
Executive Director at the OSESP Foundation - São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra.
“Always proactive, Yacoff is a thinker of human matters, with sensitivity and synthesis skills. At Osesp Foundation, he led the conception and implementation of our individual donor program, which began in 2005 and has since become one of the largest in the country. On the Advisory Board, he has already contributed greatly to rethinking the institution’s positioning and future vision.”
CEO at Alana Institute; co-founder of Maria Farinha Filmes.
“I consider Yacoff a pioneer. He was the first to mix technology, humanity, art, and data in a blender of innovation, and from there built his reputation. A model of coherence and consistency.”
PhD in Urban Planning from FAU-USP; columnist for Folha de S. Paulo; former President at Abril Educação; former Vice-President at Editora Abril.
“As a strategist, Yacoff combines genuine curiosity with a deep understanding of external transformations. As a manager, he aligns the search for new models with an atmosphere of personal growth. He is a valuable member for any board that seeks diversity, strategic coherence, and significant results.”
CEO at Motiva (CCR); former CEO and Board President of EDP Brasil and EDP Institute; former Board Member at EDP Portugal.
“I met Yacoff Sarkovas as we improved the management of EDP’s social and cultural investments in Brazil. His strategic vision and systemic approach to corporate reputation and stakeholder engagement impressed me. He is undoubtedly one of the national references in this area.”
CEO at IDIS – Institute for the Development of Social Investment.
“I admire Yacoff’s ability to contribute in very different ways to the debates and projects he engages in. Yacoff surprises! His vast experience, combined with his relentless curiosity, brings new perspectives and a dynamic outlook on problems and solutions.”
President of Aberje – Brazilian Association for Business Communication; Full Professor at ECA-USP.
“Yacoff Sarkovas has built a unique and successful career, internationally recognized for his technical competence, ethical rigor, and the results achieved for his clients and society. Moreover, he is an affectionate, civic-minded person of exceptional human quality.”
Co-founder and Co-Chairman of the Board of Natura &Co; former President of SOS Mata Atlântica Foundation and IEDI.
“Yacoff Sarkovas brings a rare and intense sensitivity in capturing the essence of brands and managing corporate image, decisively strengthening a company’s ties with its stakeholders and delivering tangible business results. That’s how he contributed to Natura.”
Founding Partner of Trust Consulting; Chair of the Advisory Board at Aberje; Chair of the Government Relations Committee at Amcham-Brazil; former VP at Telefônica Brasil; former Director at Gerdau.
“Yacoff impresses me with his innovative vision of bridging the private and nonprofit sectors. He expanded his concept of brand value creation - multidisciplinary and pragmatic - to focus on delivering results. This positive restlessness constantly drives him to seek new challenges.”
President and CEO at Edelman worldwide.
“Yacoff Sarkovas is a pioneer in marketing communications. He understands the inextricable linkage between brand and corporate reputation. He has been an important partner to successful global and Brazilian brands such as Natura.”
Chairman of the Board and shareholder at Grupo Estado; former Executive President at Neogama BBH.
“I worked with Yacoff for many years, from the design to the implementation of projects aimed at activating and redefining the attributes of the Estadão brand—always with great success.”
Co-founder and partner at Cause; former Director of Corporate Affairs at Natura; former Chairman of the Board at Aberje.
“I learned a lot from Yacoff Sarkovas. One of the most qualified and prepared consultants I’ve met. A strategist and executor of projects in social, environmental, and cultural areas. An unparalleled contribution. I am deeply grateful for the journey of learning and friendship.”
Associate Researcher at BTG Pactual and IBRE-FGV; columnist for Folha de S. Paulo; former Economic Advisor to Senator Tasso Jereissati.
“Yacoff surprises. With an enviable and unique biography, he brings deep interest in Brazilian affairs. Closely following the successes and failures of various economic administrations, he knows where things come from and where the winds are blowing. A huge asset.”
Former President of Kimberly-Clark Corp LatAm and Brazil.
“I admired his vast experience and knowledge, engaging teams and consumers through deep insights, and his fantastic charisma, which allowed our companies to form a solid relationship and build many winning programs in sustainability, corporate image, and public affairs.”
Executive Director at Fernando Henrique Cardoso Foundation; columnist for Estadão; advisor at Cebrap and. Palavra Aberta Institute.
“Yacoff is a unique professional. He brings together what is usually separate: entrepreneurial capacity and symbolic sensitivity, knowledge of the corporate world and the cultural realm - realism and creativity. All of this, plus more than 40 years of experience.”
General Superintendent at Sustainable Amazon Foundation; former Secretary of Environment of Amazonas; Associate Professor at FDC – Dom Cabral Foundation.
“One of Yacoff’s most remarkable traits is his strategic thinking and synthesis. With sharp and clear reasoning, he has much to contribute as a member of Boards of Directors.”