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Renata Cenni says: “Turn challenges into opportunities.”

Redação por Redação
12/08/2025
em Sem categoria
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LEIA TAMBÉM

Eaton e Patria abrem 110 vagas de estágio para estudantes do ensino superior e técnico

O PIOR INIMIGO É AQUELE QUE VOCÊ NÃO VÊ!

Senior Vice President of Sourcing Americas at WebBeds, a global company in the travel trade market based in Orlando (USA), which provides solutions that facilitate the sale and purchase of accommodations and land travel products.

Turn Challenges into Opportunities

The path to where I am today was filled with obstacles. But I’ve always faced each one of them as valuable learning experiences that helped me grow and develop in many ways. I am proud of every experience I’ve lived through and view challenges as opportunities to acquire new knowledge. “What have I learned that I can carry with me in life? What mistakes should I avoid repeating?”—These are some of the questions I constantly ask myself along the journey.

I was born and raised in the city of Jundiaí (São Paulo). Childhood, unlike today, was centered around playing outside and connecting with the neighborhood. I’m the youngest of three siblings, and my parents, Antonio Carlos and Maria Inês, taught us from an early age the value of respecting others. Through their example, they showed us the importance of recognizing and appreciating differences, as each individual holds a unique and special talent. This understanding led me to treat people with individualized respect, always considering their culture, experiences, and personality—seeing every interaction as an opportunity for learning and mutual growth.

Education was always taken very seriously in our home. My parents made a point of emphasizing that education is the foundation of everything and that solid training is necessary to become someone in life. Under these firm values, this guidance was constantly reinforced.

I attended public school through high school. During this time, I developed a strong interest in chemistry, which led me to choose Pharmacy as my career. I enrolled at Universidade São Francisco in Bragança Paulista (SP), moving there at 18. Throughout college, I worked as a chemistry lab assistant, which allowed me to earn a partial scholarship. However, I decided not to pursue a specialization in Biochemistry, as my true interest was in industrial pharmacy. To follow that path, I realized I needed to improve my English, which at the time was quite limited. That’s when I decided to pause my specialization and move to London to work as an au pair for a year. I saw it as the perfect opportunity to improve the language—and, consequently, open new professional doors.


Manage Your Team with a Human Approach

Moving to London was one of the boldest decisions I’ve ever made, and the initial plan was to stay just one year. However, that journey extended to 13 years. During that time, I not only became fluent in English but also learned Spanish and obtained Italian citizenship. I also learned Italian—a language I had always been fascinated by. Life abroad became a true school for me.

Over those years, I worked many different jobs. After three months working in pizzerias, I was already managing one—even without speaking fluent English. My next step was with the Brazilian Embassy, specifically in the Naval Commission, where I had the opportunity to work with tourism by designing travel itineraries for visiting commanders. That experience opened doors to a travel company called V.O.W Travel and later to GTA, where I stayed for almost 20 years.

GTA was acquired by the Spanish company Hotelbeds, and from the merger—including Tourico Holidays—new challenges began to arise. In a predominantly male corporate culture, I became the first woman to be appointed Regional Director in North America in 2021. I was selected by an external consultancy—something that, until then, had only been done for men transferred from Spain.

I take pride in having carved out this space in such a competitive and rigid environment. I’d say it was a defining moment in my life. And all of it was only possible because I maintained an untarnished reputation and faced each challenge with integrity. In the corporate world, the higher the position, the more demanding the environment becomes. I had to develop leadership skills, build a strong team, and manage it with a highly humanized approach. I’ve never strayed from that human essence, something always recognized and admired by those who work with me.

When people ask if I aspire to be CEO of a large company, my answer is no. My goal is to continue my career, perhaps even start something new, but always staying true to my values. I believe companies are made of people and that, while we must adapt to our environment, we should never change who we are just to earn a title. To me, people matter more than any job title or position.

Genuine Connections, Big Impact

Inspiring leadership is built on trust. After more than 15 years working remotely, I’ve come to realize that establishing this foundation is crucial to leading effectively. Without trust, any effort becomes hollow. Moreover, I believe humanization in the corporate environment is essential, especially in times when physical separation is evident, and interactions often become mechanical and distant. Small gestures, like saying good morning or asking how someone’s day is going, are what make leadership meaningful.

Often, people aren’t looking for ready-made solutions. They simply want to be heard—it’s almost a therapeutic process. When a leader shows genuine interest in their team’s well-being, not only does it improve the organizational climate, but it also brings significant returns to the company. An employee who feels valued and listened to tends to engage more actively and becomes loyal, increasing their commitment and, consequently, their productivity.

I lead a team composed of members who have been with me for many years and who reflect this leadership style. I firmly believe that today’s leaders must invest constantly in themselves—not only in personal branding but also in practical skills that are essential for real success. The concept of a “call to action” is vital. It’s necessary to be creative and know how to balance innovation with consistency. In such a diverse market, trying new approaches, making mistakes, learning from them, and moving forward—as long as everything aligns with the company’s budget and strategy—is key. This balance between innovation and pragmatism is a successful path for today’s corporate leader.


Value the Team and Give Everyone Room to Grow

To achieve outstanding results with my team, I treat the hiring process as something unique. I don’t conduct traditional interviews; instead, I hold informal conversations as the final stage of recruitment. I trust those who report directly to me to lead the initial interviews and identify promising candidates. The résumé is just a formality. What really matters is assessing whether the candidate has a team spirit and a willingness to learn and grow within the organization.

Currently, I lead a team of 56 people, although I’ve managed much larger teams in the past. However, I chose to work with smaller groups because I value the balance between work and personal life. I prefer to develop professionals internally—even those coming from completely different fields—and I trust in their ability to grow. Usually, when people find an environment that allows them to expand their skills, the results are remarkable. That’s why keeping the team motivated and engaged is, in my view, the real path to organizational success. This approach not only increases return on investment for the company but also creates a workplace where everyone feels valued and part of something bigger.


Leadership Is About Inspiring and Teaching

One of the greatest traps that can hinder career development is unchecked ambition, often driven by envy or the desire to bring others down. Unfortunately, this mindset is common in many corporate environments, where some are willing to sacrifice collective growth for personal gain. However, authentic progress must be earned through merit and recognition—not at others’ expense. Since the beginning of my career, I’ve never felt the need to undermine colleagues to move forward. I’ve always trusted that my work would speak for itself through its quality and dedication.

I’ve never been afraid of losing my job or of someone else taking my position. If someone wants to reach the role I hold today, I am more than willing to guide them on that path. To me, it’s not a threat, it’s an opportunity to contribute to others’ growth. Within the company, I actively participate in a mentoring program, and over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring several employees from different departments, helping them develop leadership skills and prepare for new challenges. The feedback I receive from these experiences is extremely positive and reinforces my belief that true leadership is about inspiring and teaching.

Motherhood: A Source of Inspiration for My Best Self

One of the greatest driving forces that has always pushed me to strive for more and become more resilient has undoubtedly been being a mother. At 32, in London, I became Gabriel’s mother. And that happened in a context where perceptions of motherhood in the workplace were—and still are—laden with prejudice. I remember clearly being pregnant when the opportunity arose for my first promotion to a managerial role. It was 2006, and my boss, reflecting the common bias of the time, asked if I would be capable of handling such responsibility while becoming a mother. Without hesitation, I responded that not only was I fully capable of the role, but I also knew that becoming a mother would not interfere with my performance or skills within the company.

Motherhood, for me, has never been a hindrance—it has been a source of motivation. And through constant effort, I reached new levels of professional growth. However, it’s impossible to ignore the label many women still face in the job market. The idea that “she’s a mother, so maybe we should hire a man instead” is a mindset that, unfortunately, still persists. Being a mother made me stronger in ways I never imagined. My son, now 17, inspired me to become the best version of myself. I wanted to show him, through my example, that it’s possible to grow and overcome challenges, no matter the circumstances. He was my inspiration—and also the concrete reason I kept pushing forward. Every victory and every step forward was dedicated to him, because I knew I was building something greater for both of us. Today, I can confidently say that being a mother has made me stronger, more determined, and more capable of facing any challenge the corporate world may bring.


Encourage Self-Care and the Search for True Motivation

To stay motivated—especially in difficult times—it’s important to care for those around you, both at work and in other areas of life. Furthermore, it’s essential to understand that true motivation must come from within. I always say you have to get out of bed with a purpose—and that’s only possible when you are passionate about what you do. We spend many hours working, and this makes it essential to treat people as the unique talents they are.

In the workplace, I dedicate time weekly to connect with the team in sessions I call “Time/Chat with Renata,” where I’m always open to hearing from anyone—not just my direct reports. These moments are opportunities for people to express how they feel, talk about what they want (or don’t want) to do, and discuss, in a healthy way, how we can improve daily life for everyone. I try to pass this mindset on to the team, encouraging them to find that balance. Nowadays, mental health is increasingly recognized and discussed, and I believe that small gestures—like encouraging someone to take care of themselves—have a much greater impact than simply pressuring them about unfinished tasks.


Love Your Essence and Reject the Mold

One of the most valuable pieces of advice I ever received as a leader came from a former boss who is now the president of a large company. At the time, I was working in London and going through a moment of reflection, questioning whether I truly fit into the corporate environment. Did I need to change who I was to better fit in? Was my English—at the time—good enough? These thoughts haunted me, especially because most of my professional journey was abroad, with the exception of three years back in Brazil.

In One of Those Conversations, He Got Straight to the Point

He said something I’ve never forgotten:
“Don’t change. You don’t need to become more corporate. The price of losing who you are—of leaving your humanity behind—is too high and not worth it.”

He explained that my essence—what made me unique—was my greatest asset. And I realized that by trying to fit into a rigid corporate mold, I risked losing the very qualities others valued most in me. He encouraged me to keep being authentic, to bring light and humanity into a space where excessive formality often prevails.

Since then, I’ve carried this advice as a mantra and have never changed who I am. It’s also what I try to pass on to those who aspire to take on leadership roles. I always say:
“Be yourself.”

You don’t need to become a copy of someone else. What matters is bringing your authenticity into the role you wish to fulfill and, from there, doing your best—your way. Everyone has a unique essence, and it’s that individuality that enriches any environment and ultimately makes a difference in one’s career.


Wise Choices, Bright Future

Seek something you truly love to do, regardless of the profession you choose to pursue. It’s essential that your work not only fulfills you but also allows you to maintain the quality of life you aspire to.

We often hear the question: “How do I build a stable financial future?”
Focusing too much on money is not the right path. What truly matters is finding balance between what you do and the lifestyle you want to live.

Money tends to follow naturally when you are dedicated and passionate about what you do—and when that dedication is aligned with your values and goals. Choosing a career you love, and that also provides a healthy quality of life, is the key to a fulfilling and financially stable future.

Keep in mind that the world constantly seeks innovation, but behind every innovation lies the human touch—an influence that cannot be fully replaced. When we think about technologies that replace human interaction, like robots in restaurants, we realize that removing a person also removes customer care—that personal connection that enriches the experience. And nothing replaces human interaction.

Another very important point is maintaining a strong connection with your family. In my case, living in another country, that relationship is something I deeply value. I travel to Brazil two to four times a year to be close to them.

Finally, be confident that the combination of a good education, the right career choices, thoughtful planning, and a united family is the recipe for success. Never allow your essence to be dimmed by anyone. Stay true to your feelings and your principles—because following that path is the key to a promising future.

Tags: CarreiraRenata Cenni
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