São Paulo – Businessman Rubens Hannun, former president of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) and current member of its Board of Guidance and Deliberation, took office as president of the Rotary Club of São Paulo for the 2026–2027 term on Wednesday (1). Hannun received the ceremonial gavel from attorney Ricardo Piragini during a luncheon held in the Grand Hall of the Rotary Building in São Paulo.
Hannun takes over the leadership of the Rotary Club of São Paulo following a long career in business and philanthropy. He served as president of the ABCC for four years, after previously serving as its vice president of Marketing. He is also Honorary Consul of Tunisia in São Paulo, president of the Brazil–Tunisia Business Council, and CEO of the market research firm H2R Insights & Trends. Among his other achievements, he is the author of the book Brasil e Mundo Árabe: Negócios, Marketing e Diplomacia Econômica Ampliada”, entre outras realizações [Brazil and the Arab World: Business, Marketing and Expanded Economic Diplomacy].
At his inauguration, Hannun, who is of Arab descent, drew a parallel between the date palm—a tree cultivated throughout the Arab world—and the work of Rotary. “The date palm symbolizes patience, resilience, and continuity—a long-term vision. It grows slowly, bears fruit for decades, withstands harsh environments, nourishes communities, and with every harvest produces new seeds,” he said.
“It bears fruit only many years after it is planted. Those who plant it will most likely never harvest its fruit. Instead, it will nourish their children, grandchildren, and in most cases, people they will never know—entire communities they will never meet. That is who we Rotarians are,” he continued, holding up a date from the podium as small bags of the fruit were distributed to attendees.
“With confidence in the future, we remain committed to continuous improvement, creating lasting impact, and planting today the seeds of actions that will care for, serve, and continue serving people, strengthening communities and more than ever, inspiring future generations,” said Hannun, whose term will be guided by the motto “Create Lasting Impact.” Each Rotary administration adopts a motto to inspire and guide its initiatives.
Upon taking office, Hannun recalled that his journey with Rotary began in 2002, when he was sponsored by his uncle, Miguel Cristóvão, into the Rotary Club of São Paulo Sul. In Rotary, sponsoring someone means introducing that person for membership. “Later, in the 2020s, I had the privilege of once again being sponsored—this time into the Rotary Club of São Paulo—by my dear friend and Rotary governor Nahid Chicani, whose unwavering dedication to this remarkable institution has long been an inspiration to me,” Hannun said.
Piragini welcomed the incoming president. “Rubens, I hand over this office with great joy because you are a true gentleman. I am certain that, with your integrity and leadership, the Rotary Club of São Paulo will be in good hands. I wish you and Alessandra every success,” Piragini said in his farewell address at the end of his term. Alessandra Frisso, Rubens Hannun’s wife, attended the ceremony.
During the ceremony, Guilherme Bottura also took office as president of the Rotary Club of São Paulo Sul, while Geraldo Zwicker assumed the presidency of the Rotary Club Satélite de São Paulo ESG. The new boards of directors for the clubs were also inaugurated. Among those in attendance were leaders from the ABCC, including Alessandra Frisso, a board member of the institution; Nahid Chicani, Administrative Vice President; Sami Roumieh, board member; and Daniel Hannun, Rubens Hannun’s nephew and Vice President of Foreign Trade.
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Rubens Hannun bids farewell to ABCC presidency
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
