Shares in StoneCo Ltd. (NASDAQ:STNE) fell about 5% on Wednesday after the Brazilian fintech group said chief executive Pedro Zinner will step down from his role in March 2026 for personal reasons.
The company said that Mateus Scherer, currently serving as Chief Financial Officer and Head of Investor Relations, will take over as CEO. Scherer has been with StoneCo since its early stages and has been closely involved in capital allocation decisions, financial strategy, and the expansion of the group’s banking and credit operations.
Zinner has led StoneCo for the past three years, overseeing a strategic reset that included the sale of non-core businesses such as Linx, the rollout of efficiency and simplification measures, the introduction of a more disciplined capital allocation framework, and the broadening of the company’s financial services offering.
After stepping down as chief executive, Zinner is expected to be nominated to StoneCo’s Board of Directors and, subject to shareholder approval, to assume the role of Chairman.
Alongside the CEO transition, StoneCo announced additional management changes. Diego Salgado, currently Treasury Officer, will move into the role of Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer. The company also said that Chief Operating Officer Lia Matos will leave StoneCo but remain involved as an advisor, with her responsibilities redistributed internally.
Finally, StoneCo noted that Sandro Bassili is expected to take on the Chief Operating Officer role once the divestment of Linx has been completed.