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How did your story at Riopele begin, and what was the company like when you first arrived?
My story at Riopele began in 2010, when I had the opportunity to join the training and development area. I was 24 years old and was finishing a professional internship at a company in the automotive sector.
When I arrived, I was impressed by the size of the organisation and by the passion with which colleagues spoke about their respective areas. At the time, Riopele was a much more formal company—a reality that has evolved significantly since then. Today, we are far more open to the outside world and have a culture of constant knowledge-sharing, whether through engagement with schools and universities or through regular visits from clients from all over the world. This openness has helped to improve the image of the textile industry.
At the same time, the integration of young talent over the past 15 years has been essential to ensuring the generational balance that exists today, with an average age of 42.
Later on, I took on responsibility for training management and gradually expanded my role to other Human Resources processes, always with the support of my colleagues and leadership. From an early stage, I was particularly aware of the strong commitment to people development—first through the Horizontes Programme and, today, through the Riopele Academy.
What have been the main challenges of leading a Human Resources team responsible for supporting 1,200 people?
Challenge is undoubtedly the right word. We are a large organisation, and the mission of the Human Resources team is to support leadership and create tools that enable balanced management, reconciling the company’s strategic business objectives with the well-being of its people.
I am fortunate to have an extraordinary team that supports one another in this daily mission.
From a People perspective, what makes Riopele different from other companies?
The passion and intensity with which employees experience their day-to-day work. Being a company that has shaped—and continues to shape—the lives of many families results in deeply emotional connections.
When I speak with someone who has been at Riopele for 40 or 50 years, the stories shared go far beyond work: they also reflect the impact the company has had on their family lives. In many cases, parents or even grandparents worked here, and they continue to recommend Riopele to their children and grandchildren.
What does it mean to you to see Riopele celebrating 100 years?
Being part of a centenary company that has successfully overcome challenges, cultural shifts and technological transformations, while remaining an example of innovation and commitment to the Environment, People and the Community, is a source of great pride. I feel truly privileged to be part of this journey.
If you had to describe Riopele in one word, which would you choose?
Innovative!
