Marcela Scarparo, Compliance Officer Manager, EVEN CONSTRUTORA E INCORPORADORA S/A

How long have you been working for your current company?
I’ve been working for EVEN for four years.

Briefly explain your career history and what led you to your current position.
I graduated at Mackenzie University Sao Paulo in December 2000 and also went on to complete three Postgraduate degrees. Whilst I was studying, I worked as a trainee in legal departments and after I graduated, I went on to work for a construction business.

What is your proudest professional achievement and why?
My proudest achievement is working in the Compliance department at Even and becoming a manager here.

What are the greatest challenges that you face in your current role and what do you do to overcome them?
My greatest challenge at EVEN was to establish and create the Compliance Department structure and process, as well as adapting my work methods to develop a routine for the company.

How difficult is it for you personally to attain work-life balance and how do you endeavour to do this?
I have a two year old daughter that stays in a creche during the day. My husband is a doctor and together we decide about her education, values and happiness. I’m always concerned about my daughter, especially to make her grow up understanding how important is to have your own job to support family’s needs and others financials unforeseen.

Did you have a mentor or role model in your career or while you were studying law? Who were they and how did they help you?
I always had my parents as mentors. After my graduation, I saw each boss as a kind of role model and had the opportunity to learn about the corporate environment and alsoabout the life of the attorney. One example would be Mr. Angelo Vecchi, CEO of SCAC Brasil who taught me to face up to my fears and doubts.

How effective do you think corporate diversity initiatives are? What methods do you think are most effective and why?
I think the efficiency of corporate methods and initiatives depends on the company. If you’re working for an organization that accepts new visions and diversity of procedures, innovative things you will be, probably, more successful than if you work for another place that doesn’t give space for diversity initiatives.

Were there any points in your career when you felt you were at a disadvantage or at an advantage because you were female?
I don’t think I’ve ever been at a disadvantage situation because I’m woman. I believe you grow in lawyer’s career based on you knowledge and effort, and I try to work very hard to show my effort and to improve my knowledge.

What do you think have been the most significant changes for women in the legal industry over the past five years?
I think that in the past few years, the most significant change for women is the fact that nowadays women are able to show their knowledge in the legal industry. We can notice that because women reach important positions, occupy great position in international companies all over the world, become legal directors and also heads of renowned law firms.