Early years and where you came from?
I was born in 1982 in Lisbon, where I grew up and studied. I’ve always been an active girl with a passion for emotion and the arts, especially dance. Equally passionate about mathematics and logic, I graduated in Industrial Engineering and Management at Instituto Superior Técnico in 2005. In the same year, I had my first professional experience at Volkswagen AutoEuropa, as part of my end-of-course work.
How were you introduced to the world of the Portuguese tech industry?
My professional career began as an SAP Functional Consultant, specializing in the logistics area. During my career, I had the opportunity to carry out SAP consulting and Process Reengineering projects in various business sectors such as Public Administration, Industry, and Energy.
Walk me through your work and what you are doing now in the tech industry.
I am currently Director Consulting Services at CGI in the Energy and Industry sector. I am responsible for the relationship and business development with several Clients, as well as solution and product development. I am also responsible for managing the UX/UI Team and have the privilege of being part of the CSR Team.
What part of what you do, you love the most?
All activities that involve relationships with people: Clients, Colleagues, Partners! As Dale Carnegie says in his book “How to Make Friends and Influence People”, the key to success in all professional activities is personal relationships because organizations and the organizational ecosystem is made up of people.
How do you think that your background and knowledge impact the way you approach your work in the Portuguese tech industry?
I believe that the combination of my emotional side, supported by my love for the arts, and my logical side, supported by my formation and professional experience, allow me to offer a healthy balance in all aspects of my day-to-day work.
What advice do you have for young women that want to get into tech and don’t know where to start?
As we have seen in the last two years, every day is a learning day, and every difficulty can be transformed into an opportunity! Change and innovation are constant words in today’s organizational ecosystem, so stay resilient, curious, and confident, and you will certainly succeed!
Walk me through a day in your life as a Portuguese women in tech.
My routine starts with the role of Mother: I get the children ready and delivered to school! At 9:00 AM, the role changes to Director and the day unfolds with various activities: meetings with Clients to learn about their current difficulties and the consequent business development opportunities, status meetings with my teams, and working sessions to develop solutions and products. The day ends at 6:00 PM and I return to the role of Mother, Wife, Daughter, and Friend!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Techniques, Methodologies, Systems, and Strategies everyone is capable of learning. However, what each of us brings to their Team is yours and unique!
What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?
Teams, Linkedin, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Whatsapp, CNN, Instagram, Pinterest.
Any links that you want to share? In what are you working on…
Check out www.cgi.com
👉Find Inês on LinkedIn
