IFC Appoints Cheryl Edleson Hanway Division Director for Brazil and the Southern Cone

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, has appointed Cheryl Edleson Hanway as Division Director for Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Based in São Paulo, Brazil, Cheryl will lead IFC's engagement with private- and public- sector clients and partners, and work alongside World Bank Group counterparts at IBRD and MIGA, to mobilize private capital, advance sustainable development, drive inclusive growth, and promote job creation across the four countries.

Her work will focus on private sector-led investment in priority areas central to job creation, including infrastructure, critical minerals and energy, healthcare, tourism, agribusiness and forestry, financial inclusion, and value-added manufacturing, with an emphasis on strengthening regional value chains.

Brazil, where IFC has operated for nearly 70 years, is pivotal to the organization's strategic efforts to foster economic and social development. As IFC's largest country exposure in Latin America and the Caribbean, and its second largest globally, Brazil is central to the region's private-sector development agenda and is well positioned to generate scalable, replicable solutions and facilitate knowledge sharing across regions. Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay present distinct and significant opportunities across those priority sectors and play an important role in strengthening regional economic corridors.

"Private capital is essential to addressing development challenges, expanding economic opportunities, and maximizing job creation across Brazil and the Southern Cone," said Cheryl Edleson Hanway. "I am delighted to take on the role as IFC's Division Director and look forward to working with our clients, partners, and public- and private- stakeholders to mobilize and scale private investment across the sub-region."

Cheryl brings more than three decades of experience in emerging and developing markets, with deep knowledge of the region's business environment, development priorities, and private sector opportunities. She has held several leadership positions at IFC, most recently serving as Regional Industry Director for Infrastructure, Energy and Mining for Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. Her long-standing career at IFC, extensive experience in Brazil, and broad infrastructure expertise across Latin America, Europe, and other markets give her a global perspective. This experience will strengthen the World Bank Group's engagement with clients and partners to mobilize investment, advance sustainable development, and foster inclusive growth and job creation.

Cheryl holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.