Experiences abroad: what this differential adds to your career
Leonardo Grimaldi
Executive Vice President - Global Pulp Sales, Marketing and Logistics
During our career we experience challenges that make us question what we really want. I have built almost my entire professional life, starting as a trainee, at the same company - Suzano. I have always challenged myself to exceed my goals, to learn different experiences, and to bring a different perspective to a common problem.
One of these opportunities was becoming Suzano’s first expatriate back in 2006. Living in a different country, learning about local behaviors and about the market dynamics, setting up our US office and developing a clear strategy to increase our presence in the North American market was transformative. These were years of many achievements and many lessons learned.
Another great opportunity to challenge myself was to participate in extension programs abroad. Studying in-depth a subject in another language and country, surrounded by professors and colleagues from different nationalities was very enriching. In addition to the large network that I have created, I had the opportunity to listen and assimilate different opinions, thanks to the cultural diversity that I have experienced in the classrooms. This “diversity” is one of the most enriching characteristics of an experience like that.
We can also experience aspects of cultural diversity when we host an international MBA student in our company for their Summer Programs. By doing that, we are creating the possibility to listen and learn with someone who has had different experiences, since they might have had access to different experiences and cultures during their career. They bring another perspective on how to analyze our business challenges. And for the experience to be worth it, we must be lucky enough to find MBA participants who are restless and constantly seeking innovative and even disruptive solutions to the business challenges that we will present them.
When analyzing the options for different Summer MBA Programs, I recommend analyzing Suzano not only as a leading pulp and paper manufacturer, but also perceiving that your experiences can go much beyond that: starting from contributing in the design of new business unit, or participating in several of our initiatives based on a concept that we like to call “Innovability” – Innovation with Sustainability. Our vision has “Bio”economy in its core - the new products, or new businesses for the future, are originated mostly by our R&D and technology teams in labs in in Brazil, Canada and Israel, as well as partnerships with start-ups and companies that develop new solutions from the use of pulp and other elements of eucalyptus trees biomass. One example of such start-up is the Finnish company Spinnova, which produces innovative textile fibers from microfibrillated cellulose.
We have embraced bold commitments for 2030, such as replacing 10 million tons of plastic with renewable biobased products. Our Summer MBA program is a great opportunity for joining our team and participating in this transformational journey! The submission phase is over and now we are at the final phase for selection those who will join the company for the program. Good luck for those who submitted!