Welcome Back Spotlight: Gustavo Santos
How a Managing Director’s Return to A&M Blends Industry Experience, Execution and Impact in Brazil
Gustavo Santos has rejoined Alvarez & Marsal as a Managing Director in the Performance Operations practice, based in São Paulo, Brazil
In this Q&A, Gustavo reflects on his decision to return to consulting, how his industry experience sharpened his approach to client challenges, and what he is focused on building within the manufacturing sector in Brazil.
Returning to A&M and Gaining Industry Perspective
What ultimately drew you back to A&M?
When I left A&M in 2023, my goal was to gain industry experience since my entire career had been in consulting. After two years, I was drawn back to the fast pace and constant learning and development that consulting has to offer.
A&M’s entrepreneurial culture allows me to develop the business while expanding my knowledge across different areas and disciplines. Every day, I get the unique opportunity to work alongside skilled professionals and benefit from continuous growth.
How did your time on the client side change your perspective as a consultant?
I gained appreciation for the complexity of execution. While I had taken on interim roles before, being fully on the other side brings a different level of ownership and exposure.
As a consultant, it is easier to focus on what should be done; in industry, you learn what can be done within constraints like culture, legacy processes, and resources. You are also navigating constant operational challenges while driving transformation.
This experience made me a more pragmatic consultant, focused on implementable solutions, stakeholder alignment, and sustainable impact.
Building a Manufacturing Practice in Brazil
What are your priorities as you lead the manufacturing practice in A&M Performance Brazil?
Our goal is to strengthen how we show up as a hands-on, results-driven partner and continue growing our presence in the industries we know best. To support that, I’m focused on building a team that brings together deep operational expertise with strong execution capabilities, while developing scalable offerings across operational excellence, cost transformation, and supply chain resilience. At the center of this is a strong focus on talent development and preserving the entrepreneurial culture that defines how we work.
How does working across South America influence your approach?
It requires adaptability. While many operational challenges are similar, the local context can vary significantly, including economic dynamics, cultural nuances, and organizational maturity. This has pushed me to balance global best practices with local realities, ensuring solutions are ambitious and feasible in each market.
Leadership, Perspective, and What’s Next
What role does family and travel play in keeping you grounded?
Family is my anchor. It brings perspective and balance and reminds me what matters beyond work. It allows me to disconnect, reset, and return with clarity and energy.
I also enjoy travelling because it pushes me out of routine, exposes me to different cultures, and broadens my perspective. Together, they create a balance between stability and exploration.
What are you most excited about building in this next chapter at A&M?
I am excited to build a leading manufacturing practice in Brazil, one that clients turn to not just for strategic advice, but for results they can actually see and measure. That means strengthening client relationships, growing a high-performing team, and creating an environment where people can learn quickly, take ownership, and make a real impact.
