Florence Pourchet, the CEO of CIB Latin America and head of corporate social responsibility — Americas at BNP Paribas, is the highest ranking female executive in the Americas at the bank.
As the head of BNP Paribas' Latin American operations, the bank's corporate and institutional banking franchise had a remarkable year in Latin America in 2022, solidifying its position as a key player in the region.
For example, in August 2022, BNP Paribas served as the sole financial advisor for Acciona in the construction and operation of São Paulo subway line 6-Orange, marking a significant milestone in the financing of infrastructure projects in Brazil. This was the largest public-private partnership in Latin America in recent years. The new stretch will connect the poor neighborhood of Brasilândia to the downtown area, reducing the daily commuting time from 2.5 hours to 23 minutes, and expanding economic development along the route.
With a strong presence in six countries and more than 4,000 employees, BNP Paribas considers Latin America an emerging market for client relationships and long-term growth strategies.
On the sustainability front, under Pourchet's guidance, several clients in sectors with heavy carbon footprints — such as steel and cement — have begun to consider and adopt sustainable finance practices. Her team's recent mission of reducing the financing of oil exploration and production by 80% by 2030 has been particularly noteworthy, especially in Latin America where industries saddled with substantial environmental impact have long sought to enact transformative green policies but were not always successful.
As she shifts her focus toward emerging solutions in carbon emissions reduction and renewable energy production, Pourchet envisions a future rich with opportunities as BNP Paribas divests from pollutive industries.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Pourchet heralded the latest strides her organization has made on the governance, risk and compliance front: "I am thrilled to share some exciting news.
For the second consecutive year, BNP Paribas has been recognized as the 'Latin America Best Bank for Sustainable Finance' by
Last year, Pourchet orchestrated the establishment of BNP Paribas' U.S. CSR Council, which creates avenues through which employees can actively champion the bank's corporate social responsibility goals. Centered around four fundamental pillars — economy, humanity, community and environment — the council also serves as a catalyst for employee advancement, providing a platform where participants gain leadership skills that align with the bank's core values.
As an executive sponsor of the military employee resource group, Pourchet actively engages in initiatives that elevate workforce participation and support veterans' well-being. Additionally, in her role as a mentor and gender inclusion advocate, she offers invaluable insights to women in finance, guiding them through the intricacies of balancing personal and professional life and addressing sensitive topics like salary negotiations and career progression.
