Ariel Szarfsztejn

Ariel joined Mercado Libre in 2017 and has played a central role in the company’s growth and transformation across Latin America. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as president of Commerce, leading Mercado Libre’s e-commerce operations in the region, including marketplace, first-party retail, classifieds, logistics, and fulfillment services. Under his leadership, the company significantly strengthened its value proposition for users and sellers, expanded its logistics footprint, and accelerated innovation across the commerce ecosystem.Previously, Ariel was vice-president of Strategy and Corporate Development, where he focused on long-term growth initiatives, M&A, and strategic planning. He later led Mercado Envíos for four years, overseeing the design, planning, and execution of Mercado Libre’s logistics and fulfillment operations, a key pillar in scaling the company’s competitive advantage.Before joining Mercado Libre, Ariel worked at Despegar (DESP), where he led the Hotels Business Unit, and earlier in his career he spent several years at Boston Consulting Group, advising leading companies across Latin America on strategy and transformation.Ariel holds a cum laude degree in Economics from the University of Buenos Aires and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. As CEO, he leads Mercado Libre with a focus on long-term growth, innovation, operational excellence, and the company’s mission to democratize commerce and financial services across Latin America.