After 20 years working at international consulting firms in the Mergers and Acquisitions and being promoted as thefirst female partner in the firm, I experienced a personal crisis in search of meaning shortly after the birth of my second child.
At the time, I was also bothered (and still Iam) by the social and gender inequality in Brazil. I realized that I wanted my work to serve as a tool to improve this dire situation. That's why I accepted Luiza Helena Trajano's invitation to be the first CEO of Grupo Mulheres do Brasil. After two years working together, we have strengthened the Group's culture, values, and processes, which were fundamental to enabling its growthin the following years. We have gone from 400 to 4,000 participants during my tenure. Today, the Group is still active with over 110,000 members and a global presence.
After that, in 2017, I moved with my family to Hong Kong and for 6 years, I immersed myself in the impact business field: I went to Bangladesh for a 1-month course with Professor Muhammad Yunus, led programs for high school students in Hong Kong, where I supported 189 young people in carrying out their impact projects. I also co-founded Somos TodasMarias, a social business that supports beauty entrepreneurs living in Brazilian ghettos.
The journey has taught me that there is a new way of living - to be connected to my reason for being, where my work is my manifesto and how I put my talents and passions into improving people's lives and the planet. A life where IMPACT and PROFIT walk together.
And it is with this intention that I decided to found weUP, a consulting company to support people and businesses in living their purpose in this life, every day, anywhere.
I would be delighted to support you on your journey, share our experiences, and amplify the positive impact your business can create for humanity.
I started my career as trainee in an international consultancy company. During the following 18 years, this was my choice: grow professionally, develop myself and seek success at work and financial independence. All made sense to me until I turned 34, had my second son, and became the first women to be partner in the Merger and Acquisitions (Transaction Support area)… and started to question myself:
“What would I like my sons to become?”
It was a very hard time in my life. I had conquered what I wanted but I did not feel fulfilled. Something was missing, but what? I had only had experience in consultancy companies, I knew nothing about NGOs and impact businesses. Where to go? Who was going to hire me? What about financial stability? My salary was 50% to the family income, how could I renounce my earnings without jeopardizing my family’s lifestyle? There were many doubts and fears…
At this point I began a no-return journey – an inward journey. I spent time to understand what was important to me, what was my essence, my talents and what I wanted to give to the world. There were no easy answers or shortcuts. I had to find courage to redefine the word success and to follow my intuition when the next step of the way was not so obvious and openness to live with authenticity, recognizing my strengths and weaknesses and finding mypower in just BEING.
In this process, it was key to rely in a network of people around me who shared their lifepaths and inspired me to believe that it was possible to live in a different way.
Since beginning this journey of living my essence 8 years ago, I have experience highs and lows and many moments of self-doubt. But looking at the road travelled, I have no doubt that it has been worth it!
I know that taking the first step is not easy and I don't believe that we necessarily have to 'give up everything' to liveour purpose. I strongly believe in the potential of companies to be agents of transformation and I increasingly see spaces for this to happen, in an intentional and genuine way.
Now living in New York, I am here to support you in your search, whether through mentoring, co-creation of your company's impact strategy, sharing my experiences, or inspiring you through life stories of incredible human beings who had the COURAGE to live thei rpurpose. Trust the process =)
“It's not about the destination, it's about the journey.”
