Juan Pablo Zucchini joined Advent in 1996 and is a Managing Partner in São Paulo. He originally spent 14 years in the Buenos Aires office, advising mainly on the business & financial services sector across Argentina and Uruguay. Juan Pablo has been based in the São Paulo office since 2007. He has advised on 21 investments during his career at Advent.
Prior to joining Advent, Juan Pablo spent three years with Perez Companc Group, where he participated in several major Argentine privatization projects, concentrating on the oil and gas, and energy industries.
Juan Pablo received a degree in Economics from the Catholic University of Argentina and an MBA from IAE (Austral University).
What advice would you give to someone joining the firm in Latin America?
Advent has a well-established team, with many years working together in Latin America. This creates a strong culture. We are very passionate about what we do, and are focused on accountability. We do this in a friendly, teamwork-oriented environment, and value good communication and transparency. These are the attributes that work for us.
What are the advantages of having a presence on the ground in Brazil?
We are part of a global company, and we work locally. Advent has been doing private equity for almost 30 years in Latin America, with dedicated funds. Being local is part of our DNA. We speak the language of the region, and we know the context. We have the sensitivity to identify both opportunities and challenges. This continues to be a differentiating factor for us in the region, allowing us to make key timely decisions.
How do you think entrepreneurs and founders view Advent?
Thanks to our long-standing presence in the region, Advent’s brand name is very strong. People view us as part of a global operation, but also see that we have local teams and an ecosystem on the ground. Founders and entrepreneurs realize we bring sector expertise and specialized resources to help build sustainable businesses, develop better strategy, and create more value.
“Latin America can be a complex but fruitful business environment, with a lot of opportunities to unlock value.”
Juan Pablo Zucchini
Managing Partner, Advent International
What continues to inspire you at work?
Latin America can be a complex but fruitful business environment, with a lot of opportunities to unlock value. Over the last three decades, we have created a fantastic franchise, allowing us to transform companies and create better businesses. Doing all of this in a great working environment where individuals can develop their careers and future is very rewarding, and we’re motivated to continue this approach for years to come in Latin America.
Who has influenced you in your life and career?
The search for success (whether in business, family, or friends) will always come with challenges. I have always admired people with a strong sense of resiliency, good sense of humor, and without self-pity to overcome those challenges. I had a family member with those characteristics. I have tried to emulate that. We are always going to have problems, challenges, and bad days at the office. The difference is the attitude we take towards them. Understand what you can (and must) fix and accept what you can’t change.
