Top 10 Leaders who are Portuguese Influencers on LinkedIn

Top 10 Leaders who are Portuguese Influencers on LinkedIn - Portugal Business News

Influencer News EU - A true leader needs to be an Influencer. Here are the Top 10 Portuguese Leaders who are Influencers on LinkedIn in 2025:

The number of executives posting on LinkedIn increased by 23% in 2024 compared to 2023, since this became their preferred social media after dumping X. The Ad Age study reveals that these executives have noted that their post engagement rate on LinkedIn is four times higher and that they have increased their number of followers by 39%.

On LinkedIn, there's no limit to the number of followers you can have, but there is a limit of 30,000 for first-degree connections.

Here are the Top 10 Portuguese Leaders who are Influencers on LinkedIn in 2025:

1)  António Guterres - Secretary-General of the United Nations

António Guterres has 870,329+ followers on LinkedIn and is a LinkedIn Top Voice.

António Guterres is the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations. He was born in Lisbon in 1949 and graduated from the Instituto Superior Técnico with a degree in engineering.

2)  JJ Delgado - General Manager of MOVE Estrella Galicia Digital - Portugal  

JJDelgado has 271,369+ followers on LinkedIn 

JJDelgado has a PhD Cum Laude in Digital Economy. He had the most international sales in Amazon history and reached no.1 on Amazon LinkedIn Profile in the UK in 2016 and early 2017. He is an Investor & Advisor of Web2 & Web3 Companies (Ufounders, Talent Class, Enzo Ventures, Bipgo, Football ClubX).

JJDelgado was recognized as one of the Top 15 unofficial LinkedIn influencers in 2018, he was selected among the Top 50 Worldwide Human Behavior Experts to follow in 2017 & the Most Talented Spanish Marketer in 2015, as well as an International Best Seller Author in 2021.

3 - Ricardo Costa - Chairman of Bernardo da Costa Group  - Portugal

Ricardo Costa has 208,820+ followers on LinkedIn.

Ricardo Costa is an entrepreneur, international speaker and the author of the book "Happiness is Profitable".

As Chairman of the Bernardo da Costa Group, he holds leadership roles in several companies and serves as Board Advisor in different sectors.

With an international MBA from Católica Porto Business School and a degree in Engineering and Industrial Management, he is also a guest professor at business schools and one of the main advocates of the importance of happiness in the work environment.

In addition to his business activities, he is a columnist for the Expresso and Record newspapers, the Honorary Consul of Kosovo and the President of the AEMinho General Council. 

Ricardo Costa is a professor at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the author of three books: (1) Think Video: Smart Video Marketing & Video Influencing, (2) The new digital consumer: Noriso Cube, and (3) Smash It. How to Dominate the Digital Era and Make Your Business Grow Like Hell! (Amazon International Best Seller 2021)

4 - Rui Miguel Nabeiro - CEO at Delta Cafés - Portugal

Rui Miguel Nabeiro has 176,227+ followers on LinkedIn.

Rui Miguel Nabeiro believes in innovation, internationalization and the value of brands as an engine for business growth. He created a business diversification strategy, opening up to the startup ecosystem as well as the sharp expansion of the international area, with Delta now operating in more than 40 countries.

5 - Eden Wiedemann - CEO of Use Flow App – Portugal

Eden Wiedemann has 172,212+ followers on LinkedIn.

Eden Wiedemann is a LinkedIn Top Voice as well as a Serial Founder, entrepreneur and Technology Product Manager.

With a background in creative and strategic planning working with some of Portugal’s largest brands, he helped develop key skills for technology product development.

6 - Mário Ferreira – Chairman of PLURIS INVESTMENTS group - Portugal

Mário Ferreira has 131,012+ followers on LinkedIn.

Mário Ferreira is the Chairperson of the Board of Grupo Media Capital. He is also involved in Tourism, River Cruising, Real Estate, Insurance Brokerage, Insurance, Ship Construction Management, Hotel management, Space Tourism, Vacations, International Cruising, Heli Tourism, TV & Radio sectors.

7 - Norton Sousa – Senior Talent Partner at The Soul Publishing - Portugal

 Norton Sousa has 106,560+ followers on LinkedIn.

As a Talent Partner, Norton Sousa focuses on evaluating current recruitment strategies, identifying areas for improvement, and cultivating relationships that drive smarter hiring decisions.

8 - Ana Mendes Godinho - Member of the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal  

Ana Mendes Godinho has 92,090+ followers on LinkedIn.

Ana Mendes Godinho is focused on the implementation of progressive reforms and positive social impact in Portugal.

As Minister of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security, she was responsible for the creation and management of responses to the pandemic in the field of employment, with new social responses such as the gratuity of day care, the Decent Work Agenda and various social consultation agreements.

As Secretary of State for Tourism, she led the Strategy for Tourism in 2027, mobilizing tourism as a transversal engine of development in Portugal.

9 - Rita Piçarra - Retired at 44 | Book Author | 2x TEDx Speaker | Former Microsoft PT CFO

Rita Piçarra has 88,499+ followers on LinkedIn.

Rita Piçarra has more than 20 years of experience in Finance and Controlling (P&L Management, Strategy, Financial Planning, Revenue and Cost Analysis, Internal Controls, Accounting and Audit); and is pro-active and results oriented with experience in all aspects of financial management.

10 - Carolina Afonso - Former CEO @ Gato Preto, Iberia

Carolina Afonso has 83,239+ followers on LinkedIn.

As Chief Digital & Marketing Officer and former CEO of a leading retail brand, Carolina Afonso is passionate about driving transformation, innovation, and sustainable growth in organizations.

With over 18 years of C-level experience spanning retail and technology (KONICA MINOLTA, ASUS, TOSHIBA), she has built a career at the intersection of strategy, marketing, digital transformation, and eCommerce. As CEO of Gato Preto Portugal and Spain, she spearheaded the company’s repositioning as a home decor lifestyle brand, leading its rebranding, digital expansion, and omnichannel growth. Her leadership in eCommerce significantly enhanced the company’s digital presence and revenue, while her strategic focus on innovation and customer experience fueled long-term success.

Beyond corporate leadership, Carolina Afonso is a professor at ISEG, a co-coordinator of the Postgraduate Courses in Digital Marketing and Sustainability Management, and an author. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Marketing from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, and she serves as a board director at APPM (Portuguese Marketing Association).

Carolina Afonso received the following Awards and Recognitions: Forbes Top 50 Most Influential Business Women in Portugal (2023, 2024), Top 5 in Retail Digital Women Award – Digital Marketers Association (2023), Best Communication Director – Scopen (2022), Premio Extraordinario de Doctorado – Complutense University of Madrid (2018).