November is recognized as International Women's Entrepreneurship Month, highlighting the significant impact women have in the corporate landscape. Data, officially celebrated on the 19th, emerges as an opportunity for global recognition of women's achievements. According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), 39% of managerial positions are held by women, a positive sign of progress toward gender equality in the workplace.
This increase in female representation in leadership positions not only challenges stereotypes but also brings significant financial results. Studies by McKinsey & Company show that companies with female leadership have 34% higher profitability. To better understand the impact these statistics show, meet seven women who hold leadership positions in companies across various sectors:
Ana Laura Motta is Chief Brand Strategy Officer at MOTIM. With over 8 years of experience in public relations and digital marketing, he has developed brand and content strategies for more than 150 companies and executives, focusing on startups, scale-ups, and unicorns. Currently, he is responsible for leading the brand area and overseeing integrated communication initiatives and client narratives, strengthening presence and reputation in the market.
When asked about the impact women in leadership positions have on the market and society as a whole, the executive believes that one of the main benefits is the diversity of perspectives and worldviews. "And I don't speak only from a social perspective, but rather as a competitive advantage. The combination of different perspectives and experiences allows for more creative solutions to complex problems and better decision-making," he points out.
Camila started her career in traditional advertising in Salvador (BA), but it was in São Paulo that she faced the challenge of expanding an activation agency into a market with greater potential, more complex and competitive. Immersed in the digital world since the era of Orkut, she gained experience and pioneering expertise in digital platforms, technology, and media. Currently, for 10 years at the helm of iD\TBWA as CEO, Camila leads an agency with over 240 talents, employing a business vision that integrates data, creativity, and innovation to develop growth platforms for clients. With over 20 years of experience, the Communication and Marketing professional has built a solid and comprehensive journey in advertising and has driven impactful transformations through digital.
According to the executive, developing a culture capable of empowering women and driving progress in diversity is one of her main goals within the agency. "Being in charge of an agency means that a large part of my time is dedicated to nurturing talent and creating an environment where people feel fulfilled and motivated in their careers. This is reflected in the quality of our deliverables and strong partnerships with our clients," says Camila.
Graduated in Production Engineering with a Postgraduate Degree in Business Management from Fundação Dom Cabral and an MBA from INSEAD (France/Singapore), she has been working at Arco Educação since 2014. He also has experience in artificial intelligence through his work at SkillLab, a Dutch company. Currently, Débora Montenegro is the General Director at Geekie.
For the executive, the presence of women in leadership positions is not just an achievement, but a necessity to drive innovation and diversity in the market and society. As the General Director of Geekie, I have the responsibility and privilege of leading a team committed to educational solutions that transform education in Brazil.
Fanny Moral is Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of Eureka Coworking, one of the leading global networks in the sector. With over 10 years of experience in the market, the COO leads the company's operations, taking full management of the space, developing new partnerships, and organizing networking events. In his previous career, he held positions in the administrative and accounting areas, where he stood out for project management and process automation. He has worked at renowned institutions such as Itaú BBA, Itaú-Unibanco, and Bike Tour SP. Your experience combines deep technical knowledge with a unique ability to create strategic connections, contributing to the strengthening of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in São Paulo. Fanny believes that, despite constant challenges, female leadership brings an innovative and inclusive perspective to the market.
Entrepreneuring as a woman is an intense journey full of nuances. Although I am leading Eureka, a business I built from scratch with my husband, Daniel, I still face challenges that are often specific to us women. From small things, like having to reaffirm my position in meetings and negotiations, to dealing with the pressure to balance professional and family responsibilities. Sometimes, I feel there is an invisible expectation for me to "prove" my worth more consistently, which can be exhausting. But at the same time, these challenges drive me to go further, showing that female leadership brings strength and a different perspective, which helps to build a more inclusive and humane work environment," says Fanny.
The executive's career in the financial and technological sector began unexpectedly in 2011, when she entered the payments market as an intern. This first contact sparked a true passion for the field, motivating her to deepen her knowledge with a Digital Law course and to dive further into the universe of technology. It was in this context that he met Pinbank, where he seeks to promote gender equity and inclusion, encouraging a diverse team with different perspectives, which can find innovative solutions to old problems. Additionally, she serves as an advisor in a social project that welcomes, cares for, and trains young people in vulnerable situations, which helps me stay connected to reality and be a leader sensitive to each individual's personal development, always with equity.
“Women in leadership positions bring diverse and innovative perspectives, which are essential for a more inclusive and resilient business environment. In the financial market, this presence fosters creative and effective solutions, while in society, it inspires and paves the way for other women to also reach prominent positions, promoting gender equality and collective development,” says Fernanda.
In 2017, at just 24 years old, Laila Martins founded the edtech Saber em Rede, serving as CEO since then. And, in just five years, took the company from zero to a valuation of 50 million reais. Driven by innovation in reaching new students and valuing the academic community, Laila founded the startup with the purpose of spreading education and enabling people to undertake in this process. Active in the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, the executive has been working as a mentor in acceleration programs of the Brazilian Startup Association, SEBRAE, and Inovativa since 2020. In 2023, Laila also joined other entrepreneurs to found a Venture Builder, X5 Ventures, to foster the innovation and investment ecosystem in the country.
For the CEO, women in leadership positions promote a more inclusive and balanced organizational culture, inspiring future generations. "This representation helps break down stereotypes and encourages girls to aspire to prominent positions and reach higher heights," he comments.
With a degree in marketing, the executive who has been at Aurum since 2011 began her journey as a User Experience Designer and, over time, took on the Marketing department until becoming a partner and participating in the company's acquisition by the Vela group in 2019. In July 2022, he became CEO of the legaltech based in Florianópolis, operating in various regions of Brazil. Over the past 12 years, he has been responsible for impacting more than 100,000 lawyers with products and the Aurum brand – which has been growing steadily, keeping pace with the expansion of the legaltech market in Brazil.
“When a woman takes on a leadership role, she opens a door for other women, showing that it is possible to achieve it. Her presence brings a unique and diverse perspective to management, which is reflected in the team, creating opportunities for more women and people with different profiles to occupy prominent positions. This not only makes the company more inclusive and equitable, but also makes it more innovative and enriched by diversity of thought,” says Marcela.
