Valeria Gavilan

Risk & Compliance Executive Leader | COO Insurance | Audit & Internal Controls | Logistics Loss Prevention

Greater São Paulo Area

About

Senior Executive with over 25 years of experience across Technology (E-commerce/Logistics), Insurance, Manufacturing, and Financial Services. Proven track record in strategic leadership roles overseeing Risk, Compliance, Fraud Prevention, Operations, Information Security, and Audit within complex, high-growth multinational environments (Mercado Livre, Zurich Santander, Heineken, and Sodexo). Expert in designing and implementing corporate governance frameworks and operational, financial, and technological risk mitigation models (e.g., RCSA, COSO), with a direct focus on business sustainability and scalability. Expertise in building Internal Controls, Audit, and Compliance structures from the ground up, ensuring regulatory alignment (Bacen, LGPD, Anti-Corruption) and reputational protection across LATAM. Solid history of driving Digital Transformation programs, leveraging Artificial Intelligence and automation to optimize processes. These initiatives have resulted in significant reductions in costs, risks, and losses, while accelerating SLAs and increasing NPS in large-scale operations. Strategic leadership in asset protection, auditing, and loss prevention within complex supply chains, ensuring operational integrity in high-volume ecosystems. Consolidated experience reporting directly to Boards of Directors, serving in C-Level positions, and participating in Executive Committees. Extensive background presiding over Ethics and Risk Committees and leading robust operations throughout Latin America.

Experience

  • Regional Director of Loss Prevention Fulfillment LATAM at Mercado Libre
    Aug 2025 - Mar 2026 · 8 mos

    Responsible for developing, overseeing and executing loss prevention and security strategies across Mercado Libre’s fulfillment centers in Latin America.

  • Operations Director - COO Insurance and Pension at Zurich Santander Insurance America
    Jan 2024 - Jul 2025 · 1 yr 7 mos

    Chief Operating Officer of the subsidiary in Brazil, leading the operational strategy and execution of insurance and pension businesses. Responsible for overseeing end-to-end operations, including claims (legal and administrative), operational excellence, procurement, and providers management. Key focus on performance optimization, service delivery, regulatory compliance, and solutions for enhancing customer experience.

  • Head Latam of Loss Prevention in Logistics & Transportation at Mercado Libre
    Nov 2021 - Jan 2024 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    Leading and serving the Latin America Loss Prevention teams to deliver best-in-class physical and digital security solutions for protecting products and assets in transit within our logistic network, reducing losses and contributing to a great experience of our clients sellers and buyers.

  • Process, Risk & Control Director at The HEINEKEN Company
    Jul 2020 - Nov 2021 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Director responsible for Process Improvement, Risk, Compliance & Control and Fraud Prevention areas.

  • Sodexo (10 yrs 6 mos)
    • Risk, Compliance and Information Security Director
      Nov 2017 - Jun 2020 · 2 yrs 8 mos

      Director responsible for Compliance, Ombudsman, Risk Management, Internal Control, Fraud Prevention and Information Security areas.

    • Risk & Compliance Sr Manager
      Nov 2015 - Oct 2017 · 2 yrs

      Management of Internal Controls, Corporate Risks, Compliance and Fraud Prevention areas.

    • Internal Controls Manager
      Jan 2010 - Oct 2015 · 5 yrs 10 mos

      Responsible for leading audits at local level.