Executive Co-Chair

Mr. Celso L. Goncalves is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. with executive responsibility for Finance, Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Investor Relations, and Business Development. Prior to his present role, Mr. Goncalves was Senior Vice President of Finance & Treasurer, managing the company’s cash, liquidity, and capital structure, as well as business development initiatives by evaluating and executing M&A transactions and capital investments.

Prior to joining Cliffs, Mr. Goncalves worked in the Industrials Investment Banking group at Deutsche Bank in New York, executing capital markets and strategic advisory transactions for corporate and private equity clients globally. Before Deutsche Bank, he worked in the Leveraged Finance group at Jefferies in New York, structuring and executing High Yield and Leveraged Loan transactions. Mr. Goncalves was also one of the founding members of the Latin America Investment Banking group at Jefferies, based in New York and São Paulo, Brazil.

Mr. Goncalves earned his Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University and his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. He has also passed the FINRA Securities Industry Essentials Exam, FINRA Series 79 Investment Banking Representative Exam, and FINRA Series 63 Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam. Mr. Goncalves is a Certified Treasury Professional (C.T.P.) by the Association of Financial Professionals.

Locally, Mr. Goncalves serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and for the 50 Club of Cleveland. Mr. Goncalves resides in Westlake with his wife Megan and son Lucas.

Executive Co-Chair

Alex Hocking is a CPA and Managing Director at Cohen & Co, where he leads the Valuation Services Team, specializing in the valuation of various investment types held by their mutual fund and hedge fund clients. With more than a decade of experience in financial services, Alex is known for his analytical insight, collaborative leadership, and commitment to excellence.

In 2024, Alex was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 39, an exceptionally rare diagnosis in men, especially those under 40. Following a bilateral mastectomy and the start of hormone therapy to prevent recurrence, Alex is now cancer-free. His journey was made even more personal when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer just a few months later. Both diagnoses were caught early, but the experience brought into sharp focus the emotional, physical, and logistical toll cancer can take on a family.

Alex was invited to serve as co-chair of Discovery Ball Cleveland 2025 by his brother-in-law, Celso Goncalves. He proudly supports the American Cancer Society’s mission, particularly the work of Cleveland Hope Lodge, which provides free lodging and a supportive environment for patients and caregivers who must travel to Cleveland for treatment.

Throughout his diagnosis and recovery, Alex leaned heavily on the support of his wife, Daniela Goncalves, who stood by his side every step of the way. Her love, advocacy, and care reinforced his belief in the power of a strong support system in facing and overcoming cancer. This is exactly what Cleveland Hope Lodge provides for so many patients and caregivers by easing logistical burdens so they can focus on healing while accessing the world-class cancer care Cleveland’s renowned medical institutions have to offer.

Alex lives in Avon Lake, Ohio, with his wife, Daniela, and their two dogs. He enjoys exercising, golfing, puzzles, and movies. Together, he and Daniela love to travel, cook, and spend time with family. He is deeply grateful for the strong support system that carried him through his cancer journey and for the work being done to ensure compassionate care is available to all.