About Ricardo Vargas, Ph.D.

Passionate about transforming ideas into action, Ricardo Vargas is a leading voice in the project management field and a pioneer in applying artificial intelligence to project management.

Specializing in implementing innovative global initiatives, capital projects, and product development, Ricardo has directed dozens of projects across industries and continents, managing more than $20 billion over the past 27 years.

Ricardo is a recognized authority in AI-driven project management. He co-authored the highly acclaimed HBR article "How AI Will Transform Project Management," which was a top-read article worldwide for nine weeks. He also authored the LinkedIn Course "Leveraging Generative AI for Project Management," with more than 117,000 students enrolled.

Ricardo shares his expertise and passion with millions of professionals around the globe through his "5 Minutes Podcast," which he has hosted since 2007 and has reached 14 million views since its release.

He has written 16 books on project management, risk and crisis management, and transformation, which have been translated into seven languages and sold over half a million copies. Ricardo has delivered 250 keynote addresses in more than 40 countries. His influence on the sector was affirmed when he received the highest recognition of the Project Management Institute, the PMI Fellow Award.

As a seasoned board member certified (CCA) by the Brasilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC), Ricardo is also a professor in the program at IBGC, teaching Innovation and Trends with a strong focus on Artificial Intelligence's impact on organizations.

He was the first Latin American Chairman of PMI worldwide. He also serves on the advisory board of Yera, an Estonian startup focused on enhancing employee performance and engagement through the use of AI.

His work as a venture capitalist and entrepreneur in artificial intelligence, big data, and machine learning has led to revolutionary tools and products that enhanced agility in project management work.

More than two decades ago, Ricardo founded Macrosolutions, a global consulting firm with international operations in energy, infrastructure, technology, oil, and finance.

From 2016 to 2020, he directed the Brightline Initiative, a Project Management Institute think tank that unites leading global organizations to bridge the costly gap between strategy design and delivery.
Ricardo also developed and presented a Coursera Massive Open Online Course on "Bridging the Gap Between Strategy Design and Delivery," viewed by 30,000 students worldwide.

Before his work with Brightline, Ricardo directed the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Infrastructure and Project Management Group.

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, and operating in over 120 countries, Ricardo and his team led more than 1,000 projects with a combined value of $1.2 billion. Their work included refugee camps, rural roads, maternity clinics, and housing efforts. Additionally, he managed the ESG program, which was responsible for producing the first sustainability report using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework within the United Nations system.

Following his tenure at the UN, he collaborated to document the lives of those in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan and create the treatment for the documentary, "Zaatari: Memories of the Labyrinth," a German-Brazilian production that is currently in several streaming services globally. The film showcases the tragedy of war and the men, women, and children seeking a better life.

Ricardo began his career by founding AeC in Brazil with two partners, where he was responsible for the services and training areas. A company with three initial employees grew and diversified from traditional software sales into outsourcing, project management, call center, and IT services, becoming one of the leading technology groups in the country. When Ricardo decided to leave and develop his work internationally, the AeC Group had 1,500 employees. Today, Ricardo continues to appreciate the success of his two former partners, who are now leading the current 50,000 employees.

Holding a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the Federal Fluminense University in Brazil, an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering, and a master's degree in Industrial Engineering from the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil, Ricardo is a dual citizen of Brazil and Portugal.

When not traveling the world to share his passion for artificial intelligence, project management, and strategic transformation, he enjoys gardening and cooking with his wife in their sunny home in Portugal.