Joel Velasco

Joel Velasco is Senior Vice President of International Relations & Head of Latin America at UnitedHealth Group. Previously, he was a Principal of Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG), where he drew on extensive experience working in Latin American markets across a range of sectors to assist clients navigate challenges and opportunities for sustainable growth. 

Velasco was also Senior Vice President for external relations, including investor relations and public affairs, at the biotech firm Amyris. Prior to Amyris, he was Chief Representative in North America for the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA), where he led UNICA’s efforts to expand biofuel and sugar markets. From 2001 to 2008, Velasco was a Managing Director at ASG, working specifically on the Latin America team. Previously, he served as a Senior Advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to Brazil and as a personal aide to Vice President Al Gore at the White House. 

Velasco received his M.A. from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a B.A. in Political Science from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. He speaks Portuguese and Spanish.