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“Take advantage of the unexpected” Isaac Mizrahi, CEO and President at alma

Nominated by Luis Miguel Messianu.

What do you admire and what do you not tolerate in a person?
Intelligence, integrity and a great sense of humor are essential to me. I do not tolerate dishonesty, rudeness and laziness.

What websites, magazines and social networks do you use or follow regularly?
I love reading. I subscribe to The Economist, Fast Company, Wired, Time, Fortune, and Forbes. And I also read news in The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Miami Herald and Globo.com (the latter to keep me up to date on my home country and my beloved soccer team, Fluminense from Rio de Janeiro). I also listen to a lot of radio; my favorite is NPR (United States National Public Radio). From social networks, I use Twitter more personally and LinkedIn for professional reasons.

What is the best advice someone has ever given you?
“Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone else.”

What advice would you give us?
Don’t plan too much. Take advantage of the unexpected.

What is the bravest decision you have made in your life?
Leaving behind Brazil -my homeland-, my family and my friends. And then in my professional life, leaving a job with prestigious consumer brands and moving to the then less prestigious telecommunications industry. And more recently, moving from the pseudo -prestigious world of business clients to the world of agencies.

What is the first moment you remember in your life?
I remember when I was five years old and my little brother was born.

A key book:
From a personal point of view, all of the “Conversations with God” series by Neale Donald Walsch. From a professional standpoint, neither beats “Positioning” by Al Ries and Jack Trout. I am also very impressed with Jonah Berger’s work, especially his book “Contagious”.

What do you value most in a company?
Its culture, vision and mission. And probably more important, his ability to make difficult and courageous decisions and his power to reinvent himself over time. 

An indispensable quality to lead…
Courage.

What would you put on your epitaph?
He left everything on the court. He always gave 110%.

In your opinion, what do you think will be the next revolution?
I believe that the convergence of fields such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and biology will lead to many discoveries about our bodies and our world, ushering in a new era of knowledge and advancement for humanity.

What is the last song you heard or remember?
When I’m alone I like to listen to bossa nova, especially “Chega de Saudade” by João Gilberto; probably my favorite song. But I also love Caetano Veloso, Elis Regina, Maria Bethania, Chico Buarque, Maná, Juanes, Queen and Elton John.

What do you prefer to forget at home: your mobile phone or your wallet?
The wallet. In a few years it will be completely obsolete.

With whom 3 would you go for a drink?
The mind tells me that Leonardo da Vinci for his genius and creativity; Abraham Lincoln, probably the historical figure who persevered the longest in the face of adversity; and Bill Bernbach, the father of modern advertising. 

My heart tells me that my three grandparents, whom I have never met: Isaac, Marin and Dora. I would love to hear their voices, see their faces, and hear their stories.

What is the weirdest app you have on your mobile?
I’m not sure it’s weird, but maybe it’s unusual. I like an app called SkyView, where you point your phone at the sky and it identifies constellations and planets depending on where you are. 

Tell us about a time when you screwed up at work… And what did you learn from it?
Quite early in my career, and through my own mistakes, I learned that what you have to say to a person should be done face to face, never by email. And that praise deserves to be given in public.

What would you ask the next ones?
If you could choose a time to be born, whether in the past, present or future, which would you choose?

Which 3 executives would you like to nominate?
Angela Rodriguez, Head of Strategy of alma.

Rebecca Messina, Member Board of Directors at Nicks, INVO Bioscience, and Ridge Ventures, Former Global CMO of Uber.

Fabio Coelho, President at Google Brazil.

“Take advantage of the unexpected” Isaac Mizrahi, CEO and President at alma

Nominated by Luis Miguel Messianu.

What do you admire and what do you not tolerate in a person?
Intelligence, integrity and a great sense of humor are essential to me. I do not tolerate dishonesty, rudeness and laziness.

What websites, magazines and social networks do you use or follow regularly?
I love reading. I subscribe to The Economist, Fast Company, Wired, Time, Fortune, and Forbes. And I also read news in The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Miami Herald and Globo.com (the latter to keep me up to date on my home country and my beloved soccer team, Fluminense from Rio de Janeiro). I also listen to a lot of radio; my favorite is NPR (United States National Public Radio). From social networks, I use Twitter more personally and LinkedIn for professional reasons.

What is the best advice someone has ever given you?
“Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone else.”

What advice would you give us?
Don’t plan too much. Take advantage of the unexpected.

What is the bravest decision you have made in your life?
Leaving behind Brazil -my homeland-, my family and my friends. And then in my professional life, leaving a job with prestigious consumer brands and moving to the then less prestigious telecommunications industry. And more recently, moving from the pseudo -prestigious world of business clients to the world of agencies.

What is the first moment you remember in your life?
I remember when I was five years old and my little brother was born.

A key book:
From a personal point of view, all of the “Conversations with God” series by Neale Donald Walsch. From a professional standpoint, neither beats “Positioning” by Al Ries and Jack Trout. I am also very impressed with Jonah Berger’s work, especially his book “Contagious”.

What do you value most in a company?
Its culture, vision and mission. And probably more important, his ability to make difficult and courageous decisions and his power to reinvent himself over time. 

An indispensable quality to lead…
Courage.

What would you put on your epitaph?
He left everything on the court. He always gave 110%.

In your opinion, what do you think will be the next revolution?
I believe that the convergence of fields such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and biology will lead to many discoveries about our bodies and our world, ushering in a new era of knowledge and advancement for humanity.

What is the last song you heard or remember?
When I’m alone I like to listen to bossa nova, especially “Chega de Saudade” by João Gilberto; probably my favorite song. But I also love Caetano Veloso, Elis Regina, Maria Bethania, Chico Buarque, Maná, Juanes, Queen and Elton John.

What do you prefer to forget at home: your mobile phone or your wallet?
The wallet. In a few years it will be completely obsolete.

With whom 3 would you go for a drink?
The mind tells me that Leonardo da Vinci for his genius and creativity; Abraham Lincoln, probably the historical figure who persevered the longest in the face of adversity; and Bill Bernbach, the father of modern advertising. 

My heart tells me that my three grandparents, whom I have never met: Isaac, Marin and Dora. I would love to hear their voices, see their faces, and hear their stories.

What is the weirdest app you have on your mobile?
I’m not sure it’s weird, but maybe it’s unusual. I like an app called SkyView, where you point your phone at the sky and it identifies constellations and planets depending on where you are. 

Tell us about a time when you screwed up at work… And what did you learn from it?
Quite early in my career, and through my own mistakes, I learned that what you have to say to a person should be done face to face, never by email. And that praise deserves to be given in public.

What would you ask the next ones?
If you could choose a time to be born, whether in the past, present or future, which would you choose?

Which 3 executives would you like to nominate?
Angela Rodriguez, Head of Strategy of alma.

Rebecca Messina, Member Board of Directors at Nicks, INVO Bioscience, and Ridge Ventures, Former Global CMO of Uber.

Fabio Coelho, President at Google Brazil.