Gabriel Ramirez

A technology company committed to driving growth in Latin America by accelerating the adoption of e-commerce.

• Month-End and Year-End Financial Management: Oversaw the month-end and year-end financial close processes, ensuring accurate and timely reporting. Coordinated with regional controllers and external auditors to complete year-end audits seamlessly.
• IPO Readiness Leadership: Spearheaded initiatives to prepare Rappi for a potential IPO by resolving accounting, reporting, and control gaps. Ensured compliance with SEC regulations, PCAOB standards, and investor expectations.
• Built and Scaled the Accounting Function: Transformed Rappi’s accounting operations from a non-existent framework to a fully compliant, PCAOB-audited function under US GAAP and IFRS in under two years.
• Regional Operations Centralization: Consolidated accounting operations across 9 countries into 4 regional hubs (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia), reducing complexity and improving efficiency. Streamlined the month-end close process from over 60 days to 15 days.
• Tax Strategy and Compliance: Led tax strategy initiatives, including IP allocation and transfer pricing optimization, saving millions while ensuring tax compliance across all operating countries.
• ERP Optimization: Led the overhaul of Netsuite implementation, localized systems for various regions, and integrated workflows for standardized processes.
• Complex Accounting Expertise: Managed complex accounting areas such as stock options, revenue recognition, leases, M&A, and US and Latam tax reporting.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborated with operations, legal, and finance teams to ensure compliance, align departmental efforts, and educate teams on accounting policies.

Health-focused food company specializing in frozen nutritious meals and snacks for children.

• Entrepreneurial Leadership: Founded and scaled a company focused on providing healthy, nutritious, and fun food options for children, with a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients and minimal processing.
• Product Development and Innovation: Developed a range of innovative products, including frozen protein-based snacks, colorful Colombian arepas and cheese sticks, and nut spreads, catering to busy parents looking for healthy, easy-to-prepare meals.
• Social Media Engagement: Grew the brand’s social media presence through engaging content on Instagram, emphasizing healthy eating for children, family-oriented recipes, and faith-based values.
• Market Expansion: Focused on increasing product availability and customer engagement by offering educational content.

Holding company with investments in media, retail, reforestation, and natural gas distribution.

• IFRS Implementation: Led the adoption of IFRS across Valorem and its portfolio companies, addressing complex issues such as leases, M&A, and derivatives.
• First IFRS Financials: Issued the group’s first audited IFRS financial statements, establishing a solid accounting framework.
• Improved Reporting Timelines: Reduced monthly close timelines from quarterly to 10 days by streamlining processes and implementing SAP.
• Governance and Internal Controls: Designed and implemented internal controls across subsidiaries, improving compliance and governance.
• IPO Preparation: Assisted in preparing Valorem for a potential US IPO by building a roadmap for accounting readiness and financial reporting improvements.

Leading Latin American airlines with operations across multiple countries.

• US GAAP Implementation: Led the implementation of US GAAP at TACA, issuing the company’s first PCAOB-audited financial statements and preparing the 20-F filing.
• M&A Integration: Played a central role in integrating financial statements and accounting policies post-merger with Avianca.
• IPO Readiness and Execution: Contributed to Avianca’s $409M IPO on the NYSE, preparing SEC filings and clearing the prospectus with regulators.
• IFRS Transition: Directed IFRS implementation for Colombian and Ecuadorian entities, standardizing policies and processes.
• Process Improvements: Streamlined consolidation and reporting processes, increasing efficiency and accuracy.