{{Short description|Portuguese financial professional, scholar, and public administrator}} {{Infobox scientist | name = Rodrigo Tavares | image = Rodrigo Tavares, Lebanon.jpg | alt = | caption = "Free Connected Minds" Conference, Beirut, 2016 | birth_name = Rodrigo Marques Tavares | birth_place = Lisbon, Portugal | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|12|26}} | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | death_place = | education = Harvard University, Columbia University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Gothenburg | fields = Sustainability, Finance, International Relations | spouse = Mirna Queiroz | notable_works = }}
'''Rodrigo '''Marques''' Tavares''' (Lisbon, December 26, 1978) is a Portuguese scholar, financial market professional, and public administrator. He is a full professor (adjunct) at the NOVA School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE) and the founder and CEO of Granito Group, a financial group dedicated to the advancement of the sustainable economy. In 2017, he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. He is a columnist for Folha de S.Paulo<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-17 |title=Colunista: Rodrigo Tavares {{!}} Folha |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/colunas/rodrigo-tavares/ |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=Folha de S.Paulo |language=pt-BR}}</ref> and Expresso,<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=Autores |url=https://expresso.pt/autor |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=Jornal Expresso |language=pt-PT}}</ref> and a commentator on TSF radio.
== Education and academic work == Born in Lisbon, Portugal, and with parents from the municipality of Proença-a-Nova, it was in the city of Castelo Branco that Tavares spent his youth, having completed secondary education at Escola Secundária Nuno Álvares.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reconquista.pt/pt/articles/rodrigo-tavares-o-albicastrense-que-o-mundo-quer-ouvir|title=Rodrigo Tavares: O albicastrense que o mundo quer ouvir|website=www.reconquista.pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://expresso.pt/economia/2017-04-22-Rodrigo-Tavares-Tive-a-sorte-de-ter-estado-rodeado-de-pessoas-exemplares|title=Rodrigo Tavares: "Tive a sorte de ter estado rodeado de pessoas exemplares"|website=Jornal Expresso}}</ref> After graduating in International Relations at NOVA University Lisbon, he completed his PhD in Peace and Development Studies in 2006 at the University of Gothenburg, School of Global Studies. He was the first Portuguese person to obtain a doctorate in Peace and Conflict Studies. His thesis ''Understanding Regional Peace and Security: A New Framework for Analysis'' was supervised by Professor Emeritus Björn Hettne and Associate Professor Fredrik Söderbaum.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Understanding Regional Peace and Security. A framework for Analysis | url=https://gupea.ub.gu.se/handle/2077/16982?show=full | access-date=2025-08-18 | website=gupea.ub.gu.se}}</ref> Tavares discovered Björn Hettne's academic work as an undergraduate student and traveled to Sweden to meet him in person and persuade him to be his doctoral supervisor.
While working on his thesis and after publishing his first scientific articles, Tavares was invited to the University of California at Berkeley as a visiting scholar in the Department of International and Area Studies. He lived in California in 2003 and 2004.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Rodrigo Tavares |url=https://cris.unu.edu/rodrigo-tavares |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=UNU-CRIS |language=en}}</ref>
In 2010, Tavares returned to the United States to carry out post-doctoral research at Columbia University, at the School of International and Public Affairs, under the supervision of professor emeritus of economics Albert Fishlow and with a post-doctoral fellowship granted by the Foundation for Science and Technology. He wrote the book ''Security in South America'' during this period (Lynne Rienner, 2014).<ref name="auto"/>
After serving in the government of the state of São Paulo, Tavares moved to Boston to work as a senior researcher at Harvard University, at the Kennedy School of Government, on topics focused on the global competitiveness of cities (2014-2015). He wrote the book ''Paradiplomacy: Cities and States as Global Players'' (Oxford University Press, 2016) during this period.
He also worked at the United Nations University, the UN think tank, in Belgium and Ethiopia for five years. As a researcher, he coordinated applied research work on regional integration, security, and development in Africa. He was also a professor at the MBA in International Relations at Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) in Brazil between 2013 and 2018.
He is currently a full professor (adjunct) at NOVA University Lisbon, at the School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE), where he teaches courses in sustainable finance and corporate sustainability<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rodrigo Tavares |url=https://www.novasbe.unl.pt/en/faculty-research/faculty/faculty-detail/id/272/rodrigo-tavares |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=www.novasbe.unl.pt |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024 Nova SBE's Master's in Finance has been ranked 7th worldwide by the Financial Times.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Masters in Finance pre-experience 2024 - Business school rankings from the Financial Times - FT.com | url=https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2958/masters-in-finance-2024 | access-date=2025-08-18 | website=rankings.ft.com}}</ref>
Rodrigo Tavares' academic work has focused on finding innovative solutions in the fields of international relations, finance, and sustainable development. In particular, his publications are focused on exploring new forms of political, economic, and financial governance. He began his career evaluating the social, economic, and security impacts of regional integration and supranational organizations. Subsequently, his research focused on local governments (cities, states, and provinces) and their ability to become global actors, known as paradiplomacy. Currently, Tavares studies the connections between the financial market, society, and the environment.
He has been described as "one of those rare diplomacy experts who combine the scientific rigor of an academic with the serious experience of a foreign policy professional"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://networks.h-net.org/node/28443/reviews/718405/duran-tavares-paradiplomacy-cities-and-states-global-players|title=Duran on Tavares, 'Paradiplomacy: Cities and States as Global Players' | H-Net|website=networks.h-net.org}}</ref> and as "one of the world's leading experts in sustainable finance" (Grupo Globo).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://umsoplaneta.globo.com/podcast/noticia/2021/05/21/um-passeio-por-lisboa-com-rodrigo-tavares.ghtml|title=Um passeio por Lisboa, com Rodrigo Tavares|date=May 21, 2021|website=Um só Planeta}}</ref>
His most recognized publications are:
=== Books ===
* ''A Palavra e o Poder: Uma Travessia Crítica por 40 Anos de Democracia Brasileira'' (Civilização Brasileira, Record, 2025), with Flavia Lima e Naief Haddad<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-18 |title=Veja a programação de lançamento de 'A Palavra e o Poder' |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/ilustrissima/2025/10/veja-a-programacao-de-lancamento-de-a-palavra-e-o-poder.shtml |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=Folha de S.Paulo |language=pt-BR}}</ref> [Word and Power: A Critical Journey Through Forty Years of Brazilian Democracy — original in Portuguese] * ''Paradiplomacy: Cities and States as Global Players'' (Oxford University Press, 2016)<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://global.oup.com/academic/product/paradiplomacy-9780190462123?lang=en&cc=us | title=Paradiplomacy - Cities and States as Global Players | website=global.oup.com}}</ref> * ''Security in South America'' (Lynne Rienner, 2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rienner.com/title/Security_in_South_America_The_Role_of_States_and_Regional_Organizations|title=Lynne Rienner Publishers | Security in South America The Role of States and Regional Organizations|website=www.rienner.com}}</ref> * ''Regional Organizations in African Security'' (Routledge, 2011, with Fredrik Söderbaum)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.routledge.com/Regional-Organizations-in-African-Security/Soderbaum-Tavares/p/book/9780415850285|title=Regional Organizations in African Security|website=Routledge & CRC Press}}</ref> * ''Regional Security'' (Routledge, 2010)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.routledge.com/Regional-Security-The-Capacity-of-International-Organizations/Tavares/p/book/9780415483414|title=Regional Security: The Capacity of International Organizations|website=Routledge & CRC Press}}</ref>
=== Peer-reviewed articles ===
* ''ESG-Financial Performance in the Gulf Region: A Bidirectional Examination'' in Sustainable Communities, 2025, Vol. 2 (1) (with Stefanescu-Cuntze, C., & Sá, C.)<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tavares |first=Rodrigo |last2=Stefanescu-Cuntze |first2=Catalina |last3=Sá |first3=Catarina |date=2025-12-31 |title=ESG-financial performance in the Gulf region: a bidirectional examination |journal=Sustainable Communities |volume=2 |issue=1 |article-number=2560305 |doi=10.1080/29931282.2025.2560305|doi-access=free }}</ref> * ''ESG Factors and Risk-Adjusted Performance: a New Quantitative Model'' in Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, 2016, Vol. 6 (4), p. 292-300 (with N. C. Ashwin Kumar, Camille Smith, Leïla Badis, Nan Wang, and Paz Ambrosy)<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20430795.2016.1234909|title=ESG factors and risk-adjusted performance: a new quantitative model|first1=N. C.|last1=Ashwin Kumar|first2=Camille|last2=Smith|first3=Leïla|last3=Badis|first4=Nan|last4=Wang|first5=Paz|last5=Ambrosy|first6=Rodrigo|last6=Tavares|date=October 26, 2016|journal=Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment|volume=6|issue=4|pages=292–300|via=CrossRef|doi=10.1080/20430795.2016.1234909|url-access=subscription}}</ref> * ''Foreign Policy Goes Local'' in Foreign Affairs, October 2013<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tavares |first=Rodrigo |date=2013-10-09 |title=Foreign Policy Goes Local |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/south-america/2013-10-09/foreign-policy-goes-local |access-date=2024-04-25 |work=Foreign Affairs |language=en-US |issn=0015-7120}}</ref> * ''Resolving the Kashmir Conflict: India, Pakistan, Kashmiris and Religious Militants'' in Asian Journal of Political Science, 2008, Vol. 16 (3), p. 276-302 (first peace proposal for Kashmir published in an indexed academic journal)<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02185370802504316|title=Resolving the Kashmir Conflict: Pakistan, India, Kashmiris and Religious Militants|first=Rodrigo|last=Tavares|date=December 26, 2008|journal=Asian Journal of Political Science|volume=16|issue=3|pages=276–302|via=CrossRef|doi=10.1080/02185370802504316|url-access=subscription}}</ref> * ''The Participation of SADC and ECOWAS in Military Operations: The Weight of National Interests in Decision-Making'' in African Studies Review, 2011, 54 (2), p.145-176<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/african-studies-review/article/abs/participation-of-sadc-and-ecowas-in-military-operations-the-weight-of-national-interests-in-decisionmaking/F1A03F166A2257424F3041C307BCEE1B|title=The Participation of SADC and ECOWAS in Military Operations: The Weight of National Interests in Decision-Making|first=Rodrigo|last=Tavares|date=September 26, 2011|journal=African Studies Review|volume=54|issue=2|pages=145–176|via=Cambridge University Press|doi=10.1353/arw.2011.0037|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
== Granito Group == The Granito Group is a global financial group dedicated to advancing the sustainable economy. Targeted at financial institutions, it provides strategic consultancy, financial advisory, and research & policy services. The vision to create the Granito Group occurred when Tavares was a senior researcher at Harvard University and noticed that the bridges between financial markets and society, or between financial resources and sustainability, could be stronger and more sophisticated. The consulting firm Granito & Partners, the embryo of the Granito Group, was founded in 2015 by Tavares.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dn.pt/dinheiro/sou-um-raciocinador-gosto-de-conectar-pontas-soltas-5734809.html/|title="Sou um raciocinador, gosto de conectar pontas soltas"|website=Diário de Notícias}}</ref>
In 2021, it was announced that Tavares had been selected by the British government and the City of London to lead a global initiative that aimed to create the first classification system (technical standard) for responsible and sustainable investment funds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jornaleconomico.sapo.pt/noticias/governo-britanico-e-city-escolhem-portugues-rodrigo-tavares-para-classificar-fundos-verdes-693730/|title=Governo britânico e City escolhem português Rodrigo Tavares para classificar fundos 'verdes'|first=Maria Teixeira|last=Alves|date=January 27, 2021|website=O Jornal Económico}}</ref>
In the same year, he led the working group created by oil-company Galp to produce all technical studies relating to the future of the Matosinhos refinery, integrated in the context of the energy transition. The group was made up of external experts and company executives. After finishing its mandate, the group was replaced in 2022 by an executive committee whose objective is to develop the entire urban requalification project. The group proposed that the refinery site be used to create a sustainable innovation district, one of the largest in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tsf.pt/portugal/economia/galp-cria-grupo-de-trabalho-para-estudar-futuro-da-refinaria-em-matosinhos-13976214.html/|title=Galp cria grupo de trabalho para estudar futuro da refinaria em Matosinhos|website=TSF Rádio Notícias}}</ref>
== Public sector == In 2011–2014, he served as head of the Office of International Affairs of the government of the state of São Paulo (during Geraldo Alckmin's government) (currently the Secretariat for International Relations). During his tenure, the state of São Paulo was recognized by the press and the international diplomatic community as one of the most influential and active subnational governments globally. During this period, the Brazilian state received 1,595 foreign delegations, including 22 heads of state and government, organized 230 missions abroad, signed 234 international agreements, managed 150 international cooperation programs and projects, organized 104 international events, and maintained relations with 116 countries.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web | url=https://www.granito.group/ficheiros/editor/files/Portfolio_AEAI-2011-2015_ingles1(1).pdf | title=São Paulo State: a Global Player | website=www.granito.group }}</ref> Tavares was the youngest and the first foreigner to lead the state of São Paulo's external relations.<ref name="auto3"/>
In 2008–2010, he was invited by the United Nations Secretariat to write Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's annual reports on Africa's development, which were presented to the General Assembly. The reports monitored the implementation of several commitments made by the international community, identified challenges, and presented the way forward. They also proposed the establishment of a new permanent United Nations monitoring mechanism to be led by the UN Office of the Special Advisor on Africa (OSAA). He was one of the youngest UN writers in the organization's history. Tavares was also a consultant for other UN agencies (FAO, United Nations University) and the Swedish Armed Forces, where he presented future scenarios for Africa in the areas of security and development.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.granito.group/detail-people/4 | title=Granito Group | Impact Economy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://cris.unu.edu/rodrigo-tavares | title=Rodrigo Tavares }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.novasbe.unl.pt/en/faculty-research/faculty/faculty-detail/id/272 | title=Rodrigo Tavares }}</ref>
== Media == Tavares is a columnist for Expresso<ref name="auto1"/> and Folha de S.Paulo<ref name="auto2"/> where he writes about economics, finance, technology, public policies, and sustainability. He is also a weekly commentator on TSF radio. He also writes regularly for the World Economic Forum's Agenda<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/authors/rodrigo-tavares/ | title=Rodrigo Tavares - Founder and President, Granito Group | website=www.weforum.org}}</ref> and Quartz.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/author/rodrigo-tavares|title=Rodrigo Tavares|date=May 14, 2020|website=Quartz}}</ref> He was a columnist at TSF online, where he wrote biweekly about his home country, Portugal (2018–2020). He also wrote regularly for Family Capital,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.famcap.com/author/rodrigo-tavares/|title=Author: Rodrigo Tavares|date=August 1, 2019|website=Family Capital}}</ref> the Brazilian magazine Época,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epoca.globo.com/politica/noticia/2017/06/reinvencao-da-politica.html|title=A reinvenção da política|website=epoca.globo.com}}</ref> and Visão magazine (where he contributed from 2006 to 2016).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://visao.pt/opiniao/a/ler-com-os-ouvidos/2016-01-06-o-amor-um-aforismo/|title=Visão | Rodrigo Tavares|website=Visão|date=6 January 2016 }}</ref> Tavares was interviewed or wrote opinion articles in outlets such as CNBC, Financial Times,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guest post: the power of subnational diplomacy |url=https://www.ft.com/content/42f4e040-4d5f-3767-8f2e-fb9db10a6171 |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=www.ft.com}}</ref> Fortune,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Commentary: High-profile critics are unwittingly driving the emergence of ESG 2.0 |url=https://fortune.com/2022/09/28/high-profile-critics-unwittingly-driving-the-emergence-esg-2-rodrigo-tavares/ |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref> The Economist, Forbes,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hailstone |first=Jamie |title=Many Businesses Making Slow Progress On Net Zero Goals, Study Finds |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiehailstone/2025/11/29/many-businesses-making-slow-progress-on-net-zero-goals-study-finds/ |access-date=2025-12-04 |work=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> LSE Business Review,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tavares |first=Rodrigo |date=2024-10-23 |title=Want to save ESG from irrelevance? Financialise it - LSE Business Review |url=https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/businessreview/2024/10/23/want-to-save-esg-from-irrelevance-financialise-it/ |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=LSE Business Review - Social Sciences for Business, Markets, and Enterprises}}</ref> Pensions & Investments,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pionline.com/article/20170125/ONLINE/170129926/steps-remain-to-fully-integrate-esg/|title=Steps remain to fully integrate ESG|website=www.pionline.com}}</ref> MIT Technology Review,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mittechreview.com.br/search/rodrigo%20tavares/|title=Você pesquisou por rodrigo tavares - MIT Technology Review}}</ref> CPAC, Estado de São Paulo, Diário de Notícias, Negócios,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/opiniao/colunistas/detalhe/portugal-ainda-esta-desatento-a-uma-das-maiores-transformacoes--do-mercado-financeiro-global|title=Portugal ainda está desatento a uma das maiores transformações do mercado financeiro global|website=www.jornaldenegocios.pt}}</ref> Antena 1,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rtp.pt/play/p517/e285561/entrevistas-manha-1|title=Espaço das 10 de 26 abr 2017 - RTP Play - RTP|website=RTP Play}}</ref> Público,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-20 |title=Rodrigo Tavares {{!}} Prof. catedrático convidado na Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Nova SBE) |url=https://www.publico.pt/autor/rodrigo-tavares |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=PÚBLICO |language=pt}}</ref> Valor Econômico,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://valor.globo.com/opiniao/coluna/hora-das-financas-sustentaveis.ghtml|title=Hora das finanças sustentáveis|date=December 26, 2018|website=Valor Econômico}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Afinal, fundo de investimento sustentável rende bem? A resposta surpreende {{!}} Fundos de Investimentos {{!}} Valor Investe | url=https://valorinveste.globo.com/produtos/fundos/noticia/2024/05/06/afinal-fundo-de-investimento-sustentavel-rende-bem-a-resposta-surpreende.ghtml | access-date=2025-08-18 | website=valorinveste.globo.com}}</ref> Tampa Bay Times,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2023/06/03/yale-harvard-still-have-much-teach-gov-desantis-column/|title=Yale and Harvard still have much to teach Gov. DeSantis|website=Tampa Bay Times}}</ref> Arab News,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2499981 | title=Islamic thought can help the region attain a green future | date=26 April 2024 }}</ref> Boston Business Journal, among others.
In 2021, the World Economic Forum began publishing a series of exclusive articles with concrete proposals to make the world more fair, prosperous, and sustainable. Tavares was the project's curator and the authors included heads of state and government such as Sanna Marin<ref>{{Cite web| title=Review of the internal security act 1960 | url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/05/finland-prime-minister-tackle-climate-crisis/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518083415/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/05/finland-prime-minister-tackle-climate-crisis/ | archive-date=2021-05-18}}</ref> and Alexander De Croo,<ref>{{Cite web | title=Human nature can combat climate change says Belgium's PM {{!}} World Economic Forum | url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/belgium-prime-minister-combat-climate-change/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615085055/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/belgium-prime-minister-combat-climate-change/ | access-date=2025-08-18 | archive-date=2021-06-15}}</ref> business leaders, and renowned intellectuals. The series, with around 20 articles published over a year, was also supported by Project Syndicate.
== Awards and recognition ==
* In 2018, he was appointed ambassador of StartUp Portugal, the agency responsible for the global promotion of the Portuguese innovation ecosystem, together with Vhils, Maria Mota and Miguel Pina Martins.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dinheirovivo.pt/fazedores/embaixadores-portugueses-fazem-spam-do-apoio-as-startups-12794661.html/|title=Embaixadores portugueses fazem SPAM do apoio às startups|website=Dinheiro Vivo}}</ref> * In 2017, he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/economia/portugues-rodrigo-tavares-nomeado-jovem-lider-global-pelo-forum-economico-mundial_n988923|title=Português Rodrigo Tavares nomeado Jovem Líder Global pelo Fórum Económico Mundial|first=Rádio e Televisão de|last=Portugal|date=March 15, 2017|website=Português Rodrigo Tavares nomeado Jovem Líder Global pelo Fórum Económico Mundial}}</ref> * In 2011, he was one of seven people selected by the Quebec government as a young leader for his influence on foreign policy. * Tavares has received scholarships from a wide range of institutions, such as the Foundation for Science and Technology (Ph.D. and postdoc) or the Swedish International Development Agency.
== Personal == He is the great-great-grandnephew of Sebastião José Pereira (1857-1925), bishop of Daman and bishop-prelate of Mozambique, buried in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, in Mumbai.
== References == {{reflist|30em}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Tavares, Rodrigo}} Category:Living people Category:Portuguese academics Category:University of Gothenburg alumni Category:1978 births