Zélia Cardoso de Mello worked in the academic, public and private sectors in Brazil. Her political career began in 1986 when Dilson Funaro, the Minister of Finance of Brazil, invited her to join his Economic Advisory Team as Director of the National Treasure Dept. In 1990 Cardoso de Mello was appointed the National Minister of Economy, Finance and Planning of Brazil. Cardoso de Mello has served executive positions at several major financial advisory companies focused on Brazil.