Jayme Garfinkel & family

Early Life

Jayme Brasil Garfinkel was born in Brazil to a Jewish family. He received a degree in Civil Engineering from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo in 1970. Later, he pursued graduate studies, earning a Master of Business Administration from Getúlio Vargas College in 1975.

Rise to Success

Garfinkel's career began at Porto Seguro in 1972 as an Assistant Executive Officer. He steadily climbed the corporate ladder, becoming the Executive Officer Vice President in 1978. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Porto Seguro. During his tenure, the company became the third-largest insurance company in Brazil, marking a significant achievement. In 2012 he stepped down as CEO, but remained as Chairman of the board.

Key Business Strategies

Under Garfinkel's leadership, Porto Seguro expanded its services and market presence, becoming a leading auto insurer. The company's success is attributed to strategic decisions and an understanding of the Brazilian market. Porto Seguro’s offering of personalized services, a key move in the 1990s, included providing skilled labor for home repairs which allowed them to charge higher premiums.

Philanthropy

Through Porto Seguro, Garfinkel has supported the creation and maintenance of schools for children in favelas, or shantytowns, around Sao Paulo. He also serves as the President of the Associação Crescer Sempre, which focuses on improving education, and the Council of the Instituto Ação pela Paz, which works to improve the prison system with a focus on reducing criminal recidivism.