
Adelante · Hispanic Heritage Month 2026
Sofia Almeida
General Counsel and EVP, Zurich Seguros Ecuador; President, Cámara Ecuatoriano Suiza
Legal chapter
Sofia Almeida is General Counsel and EVP of Zurich Seguros Ecuador and President of the Cámara Ecuatoriano Suiza, preparing for broader executive responsibilities. Her argument is that leadership is less about the position you hold than the responsibility you take on for the people and institutions you influence.

01What you're building
What are you building right now, and what does it make possible that wasn't possible before?
I am preparing myself to take on new executive responsibilities that will allow me to have a positive impact on more people, both within the insurance industry and through my contribution to strengthening the bilateral relationship between Ecuador and Switzerland.
What makes this possible now is the experience, knowledge, and broader network I have built throughout my career. Today, I have a deeper understanding of the business, greater perspective, and stronger relationships across different industries and institutions. This allows me not only to contribute from my own area of expertise, but also to connect people, ideas, and opportunities in ways that were not possible earlier in my career.
For me, it is about continuing to grow, expanding my impact, and using what I have built so far to create new opportunities and make a meaningful difference.
02What it took
What did it take to get here that people don't see?
There has been a great deal of sacrifice behind the journey. It has meant investing significant time in self-education and, perhaps more importantly, in my own personal development, not only expanding my knowledge, but also becoming more intentional about how I present myself, communicate, and connect with others.
It has meant showing up: attending countless meetings, forums, and events, building relationships, and making my work and my journey visible. That visibility comes at a cost. There have been many hours taken away from my family and additional hours devoted to my professional responsibilities.
I have done it willingly and with great joy, because I genuinely love what I do. But I also believe it is important to acknowledge that behind every achievement there is discipline, commitment, and sacrifice that people do not always see.
I have done it willingly and with great joy, because I genuinely love what I do.
03Who carried you
Who carried you, and what did they teach you that you still use every week?
My parents shaped who I am. From my father, I learned the value of hard work and that the greatest reward for our effort is reflected in how we make others feel, how we help them, and the positive impact we have on their lives. He taught me to strive to leave a positive mark on everyone I encounter.
From my mother, I learned courage. She taught me that nothing should stop me from pursuing what I set my mind to, because I am capable of achieving whatever I truly commit myself to.
Those lessons continue to guide me every day.
04For the leader coming up
What is the one thing you'd tell the leader coming up behind you?
Always remember that every decision you make has an impact on other people. That awareness comes with a responsibility to lead with integrity, empathy, and a clear sense of purpose.
Leadership is not only about the position you hold; it is about the responsibility you assume for the people and institutions you influence.
05Adelante
Adelante means forward. Where are you taking your function, your company, or your industry next?
I want to continue doing the right things that enable more people to be protected, while contributing to an Ecuador that is increasingly recognised for what it can achieve.
Through my work in the insurance industry and my role in strengthening Ecuador-Switzerland relations, I hope to contribute to building bridges, creating opportunities, and leaving a positive and lasting mark on as many people as possible.
The recognition · Legal
Sofia Almeida is General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Zurich Seguros in Ecuador and President of the Ecuadorian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, pairing a senior in-house role with the work of building ties between two countries. She is recognized in the Legal chapter.
Meet all the Adelante leadersThe Floor
Every leader recognized in Adelante answers a short set of questions in their own words, and the answers they approve go into the 2027 book.

