Gustavo Roosen

EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2025 finalist, Venezuela
CEO of IESA and Chairman of the Board of Envases Venezolanos

Gustavo Roosen is championing education and economic growth in Venezuela.

Gustavo Roosen has spent decades at the forefront of Venezuela’s institutional development, driven by a commitment to education and economic modernization. His career began at American Can in New York, but it was his leadership roles in key Venezuelan organizations that defined his impact. 

Gustavo became a significant shareholder of Envases Venezolanos, a holding company producer and marketer of tinplate cans and lids, as well as glass products for industrial and domestic use, that is now publicly traded. As the first non-family executive at Alimentos Polar, he established the company as the nation’s leading food provider. His tenure as president of PDVSA saw the company expand internationally, acquiring CITGO and inviting private investment into the oil sector.

Gustavo’s transformative influence continued with CANTV, where he modernized operations and listed the company on the New York Stock Exchange, broadening its shareholder base to over 100,000 people. His dedication to education is evident in his role as Minister of Education and as president of IESA, Venezuela’s premier business school. Here he has earned international accreditation for its master’s programs and positioned it as a regional leader in executive education across Latin America. Through initiatives like AVAA, he supports over 300 undergraduate scholars and collaborates with Talento Venezuela to enhance teacher training.

Since the 1980s, Gustavo has exemplified growth with purpose, serving as a role model for future generations. His politically independent, purpose-driven approach continues to shape Venezuela’s future through entrepreneurship and education.