Andreia Afonso Email & Phone Number

I am a people-centered person with an entrepreneurial spirit. I enjoy solving complex problems that require understanding multiple perspectives. During my years working as an independent consultant in the family-owned business market in São Paulo, Brazil, I learned how important it is to listen actively, ask questions and be curious about different points of view before forming an opinion about any given problem. This, coupled with doing research and using data to design solutions that kept the client's best interest at the center, was key to achieve successful outcomes. As most of my clients were either going through or at the edge of a crisis, working with them helped me shape my view that, although difficult, crises can be great opportunities. Effective communication, research, organization, and the ability to bring conflicting sides to work together were critical to assess the situation and design effective solutions and action plans to make the necessary changes, both at the strategic and operational levels. These skills and experiences have proven invaluable in my current role as a global program manager in HR. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion space permeates every area of the company, and it is a driving force to achieve business excellence. However, for any global initiative to be successful, it must take into account regional and local nuances, including legislation and risk mitigation strategies in different jurisdictions. Doing so requires analytical and interpersonal skills, flexibility, and ability to adapt quickly, as well as keeping a learning mindset to achieve the desired goals. It also means being open to new ideas and being aware that people do things differently based on their cultural heritage. As a native from Brazil, living and working in the American context, I have experienced first hand the importance of being aware of cultural differences. More recently, I have been very interested in the advancement and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered tools and systems, and their intersection with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion space from a business ethics point of view. I am curious to understand how we will articulate the balance between the potential benefits and downsides for businesses and society at large.

Listed skills include Interpersonal Communication Abilities, Customer Oriented, Result Oriented, Proactive Self Starter, and 12 others.