Irá Salles
Female presence in leadership positions in the footwear sector is above the national average
Abicalçados survey points out that more than 33% of leadership positions in the sector are occupied by women. National average is 25%
Female presence - Foto: Abicalçados
2021-11-11 | Brazilian Footwear
Strengthening women's inclusion in leadership positions is a challenge faced by society. This challenge is related to a culture change that is evidenced throughout the month of March, when International Women's Day is celebrated. And these transitions that are being built in the most diverse sectors for a few years are already showing results: one of them within the shoe factories of Brazil.
With more than 33% of the leadership positions occupied by women, according to a survey made by the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados) from RAIS/MTE, the Brazilian footwear sector stands out nationally in terms of female participation in companies. After all, this presence is above the national average, which is 25%, according to the international consultancy Grant Thornton.
In celebrating this above-average participation in shoe factories, the CEO of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, recalls that there is much to be done in order to strengthen female inclusion, especially in leadership positions. “We also know that the path to this presence is being paved with a gradual change of culture.”
Next, check out how some of these female leaders are helping to strengthen these already taken steps in the footwear sector for the future of this “new culture”. They are in leadership positions, and are also part of the board of directors of footwear industries located in different regions of the country.
Testimonials from some of the female leaders in the industry
"Brazil is a reference in the footwear industry and I feel happy to be part of this sector, in which I feel I can have freedom of creation.”, says Irá Salles - stylist at Irá Salles.
"It's to lead with love, inspiring, caring and extracting the best out of people. It is to believe that the combination of genders and their differences in views and attitudes leads to a much better result.", says Cristine Camila Grings Nogueira - President of Piccadilly Company.
Cristine Camila Grings Nogueira
"It is to be able to invest in the development of other women. We still live in a scenario where the lack of basic care to early childhood (day care and kindergartens) often removes women from the labor market. Being able to secure employment and income for those women is a basic human action and has repercussions for the next generations.", says Natália Miti - designer at Miti Shoes.
Natália Miti
"In Bibi's culture, we have learned that your best example is the best form of irradiation. No matter the title or the genre, faced with the different roles I have, I seek to develop actions with a lot of responsibility and ethics, whether small or large, because in some way this can influence or impact different audiences and/or stakeholders that we relate to. Since I became president, I have continued to engage the team through culture, following the same values that have permeated our history for more than 70 years.", says Andrea Kohlrausch - President of Calçados Bibi.
"Fortunately, more and more female leaders emerge and enable greater gender equality in different segments. Despite the difficulties, women are able to achieve brilliant results leading companies in the Brazilian footwear sector.", says Ana Fassoni - owner director of Ana Fassoni.
Ana Fassoni
"As a woman I feel obliged to create and develop footwear that values us as women and respects us as individuals. Shoes which provide a firm and comfortable walk, in search of a more sustainable and egalitarian world.", says Priscila Callegari - designer / CEO by Ciao Mao.
Priscila Callegari
“It is a privilege, but at the same time a great responsibility! Women have already achieved a lot, but they still have to prove, day by day, how fundamental they are to innovate and strengthen the footwear sector. With our sensitivity, empathy, our differentiated look at the world and, above all, with our intensity for constant renewal, we can elevate Brazilian footwear to new stages, of even greater relevance for the businesses of the country and for people's lives. And I'm sure I'm part of the women's team that will make it happen!”, says Natália Bischoff - director of branding, business, and operations of Bischoff Group.
Natália Bischoff
"I believe that being a leader in the footwear market is a huge privilege, because with my work I can delight people, bring beauty and comfort to the day to day of thousands of women and still do what I love: flats! I believe very much in cooperation and the importance of surrounding myself with people who share my dream and who want to write Vinci's story by my side. I am very proud to work in the footwear sector, following in the footsteps of my family, but building new stories and opening new paths.", says Sara Nelice Raymundo Lanzini - co-founder, Style and R&D director at Vinci Shoes.
Sara Nelice Raymundo Lanzini
"I have always been inspired by strong women who make a difference in their work areas. Being one of those leaders today motivates me to continue to encourage other women. I am happy to be able to represent many of them in the role I have today. May we continue to support each other to conquer more and more.", says Giuliane Roberta Enzweiler - marketing executive of the Minuano Group.
Giuliane Roberta Enzweiler
"It's challenging, there's no denying it, but there's no reason to feel inferior. On the contrary, I see in my role the responsibility to seek the courage and prominence to encourage other women to conquer their space in society and in our footwear market. If I can do that, I will have achieved my purpose and helped make our industry even better.", says Rodaika Diel - director of Neorubber.
Rodaika Diel
"At Luiza Barcelos, I carry with my brothers the legacy of Dona Dorinha – a woman who had the courage to start at 50 years old! The greatest lesson she left behind was to take care of the company as one takes care of the family. We take strength, power and female sensitivity in our day to day. The ability to handle several things at once and still deliver an impeccable result.”, says Luiza Márcia Aleixo Barcelos - creative director at Luiza Barcelos.
Luiza Márcia Aleixo Barcelos
"Being a female leader for me is something natural, but that also involves many daily challenges. Knowledge plus experience and female sensitivity are the basis of everything.", says Maristela Becker Hübner - CEO of Guilhermina Shoes.
Maristela Becker Hübner
"Being a female leader is a great challenge, the woman's path is always more complex. We face prejudice, we have to fight to be heard, to be promoted and we end up carrying greater responsibilities at home. The footwear sector is still largely led by men, women have little space and end up not being able to reach high positions. There is still a long way to change this reality, but I believe that with new generations taking on leadership roles the mindset will also change.", says Juliana Duarte - co-founder of Pesh and Zoez.
Juliana Duarte
"Fortunately, the footwear sector is more receptive to women than other professions, which does not mean that we do not face the same difficulties. This has changed with the new generations, but it is still more common to see men performing direction and management jobs, while women are responsible for jobs labeled as feminine - such as creation, for example. For me, as a woman, to hold positions and perform functions in which male presence is greater is very rewarding! By becoming a reference in the footwear market, I hope to serve as an example so that other women can also reach these positions.", says Marina Lerbach - owner of NUU Shoes.
Marina Lerbach
"More and more we realize the impact of female leaders in the most diverse work environments. I feel that running a company with poetry inspires me and my employees. At Sarah Chofakian, we dream the same dream.", says Sarah Chofakian - creative director of Sarah Chofakian.
Sarah Chofakian
"Graduated in Fashion and passionate about the footwear universe, in 2018, with only 25 years of age, I became the successor of my parents in the company. I face many challenges on a daily basis, responsibilities and decision making are constant, but in return for being young and woman, gaining the trust and respect of my team as well as rewarding encourages me to continue and face new challenges.", says Débora Cholet Zorn - director of Ramony Calçados.
Débora Cholet Zorn
"It is to have the opportunity to add values through all decisions made, thinking about human appreciation, the family and society. Taking care of a shoe company is like taking care of a big family! We have to think about the well-being of all employees and serve our customer in the best way.", says Fabiana Luiza Petri da Silva - Managing Partner of Calçados Satryani.
Fabiana Luiza Petri da Silva
"It is a joy for me to be at the forefront of the family business and see everything we have achieved so far. Leading is a very challenging task, but also s very rewarding one. I'm very proud of my work, of everything we've built over 20 years, and of what we're still going to build.", says Eduarda Moreira de Freitas - director at Byara Calçados.
Eduarda Moreira de Freitas
"It is to be and act fundamentally as a woman in order to balance the male and female energies of the business environment - still a very patriarchal one, seeking a management model aligned with the trends of today's society from an intuitive, sensitive and empathic look to generate a culture of creative force, which is associated with the female universe.”, says Ana Cláudia McInerney - creative director of Tip Toey Joey.
Ana Cláudia McInerney
“I believe that female leadership is, in the footwear sector or in the most diverse sectors, the consolidation of the concrete results of the struggles waged by feminist movements that preceded us. I seek knowledge on a daily basis, both in our sector and in others that also empower us to be better. I believe I can, I have no doubt. In addition, I believe that when we do things with love ahead of everything else, the business automatically thrives.", says Rosana Maria de Oliveira Ribeiro - administrative director of Via Malibu.
Rosana Maria de Oliveira Ribeiro
"I hope to be a female reference for other women who seek to find their dream to be an entrepreneur in Brazil! Making shoes is quite challenging within a very masculine universe, but also very rewarding!", says Maria Fernanda Sodré - owner of A Mafalda.
Maria Fernanda Sodré
"I love working with shoes and being able to provide, together with everyone on the Zagga team, more than just shoes for our customers, but a means of transportation that can take people wherever they want. We know all the difficulties that each profession has, but with clarity in our goals we know that we are on the right path, and that us women are stronger than we imagine. Congratulations to all women!!", says Fernanda Megalli de Souza Lacerda - Administrative Manager of Zagga.
Fernanda Megalli de Souza Lacerda
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