Thais Cavinatto was appointed Country Director of Zambian Breweries PLC, a subsidiary of AB InBev, in February 2024.
Her appointment followed a robust international career in the global beverage industry and investment banking, equipping her with a strategic mindset and strong operational insight.
Before moving into the brewing sector, Cavinatto began her career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Goldman Sachs in Brazil. She then joined AB InBev/Ambev, where she held multiple leadership roles including Vice President of Frontline Transformation, Global B2B Director for the company’s BEES digital commerce initiative, and other senior positions across Brazil and the United States.
In her current role at Zambian Breweries, Cavinatto has already overseen double-digit growth in the first half of 2024 despite economic head-winds in Zambia.
She is focused on strengthening the local supply chain, scaling digital platforms for small-scale retailers, and driving inclusive business practices across farming, retail, and hospitality channels. Her leadership highlights include the launch of a digital payments platform for over 2,000 small-holder farmers and the company’s push to develop local agricultural sourcing.
Cavinatto holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) in São Paulo and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Her journey reflects a blend of analytics, operational transformation and inclusive leadership — anchored by the conviction that commercial success and community impact go hand-in-hand.