Rising Stars of the Profession: Eleonora Ferraro

Eleonora has been in consulting for 11 years. Since 2017, she has seen significant and sustainable results for clients while acting as a leader and technical reference. She is responsible for the development, execution and implementation of projects in Value Chain Management, involving flow and process designs, organizational discussion, team training and tool requirements delivery. Eleonora reconciled work on projects with participation in some internal initiatives. With rigor and technical quality, aligning expectations, connecting different themes and people, and evaluating various risks, she has a unique ability to "make it happen." She communicates with security and is results-oriented, always looking for the best solution. She is the mother to her daughter Aurora and is enthusiastic about Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. She is dedicated to being a reference for many girls today in EY and actively participates in different initiatives on related topics. Eleonora received a degree in Industrial Engineering from USP São Carlos and is certified BSCM and CSCP by APICS, PMP by PMI and Supply Chain Analytics of MicroMasters Supply Chain Management by MITx. Eager to continue learning, she recently started an Executive MBA at IESE, where she will graduate in May 2023.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

The journey I have built so far is my greatest achievement! I come from a humble family and with their support, from a young age, I chose to focus on my studies and graduated from one of the best universities in Brazil. Since then, I've focused on building a solid career aligned with my values and purpose. Having the opportunity to build my family, educate my daughter and share this with her crowns all these achievements.

What advice would you give a professional just beginning a career in consulting?

I have received two pieces of advice that have proven to be extremely helpful. 1.) Extract as much information in every opportunity that's offered to you because it is from the beginning of your career that you assemble your toolbox that will be fundamental later on. 2.) Whenever you have the opportunity, share your opinions and collaborate as a team.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

A career in consulting is an opportunity for constant learning because each project exposes you to new contexts with new challenges that demand new performances. This environment encourages you to develop personally and professionally. Working together with clients allows you to develop, implement and monitor solutions that, in turn, add value to the business world that makes it work better. I am proud to be a consultant because it allows for an amazing and dynamic career.

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

"Everything is not always or was your responsibility. Look at a broader perspective to know how to share the issues and everything will be lighter."

What does being honored as a Rising Star mean to you?

It reinforces that I am on the right path and that the personal and professional effort has been worth it. This is an incredible milestone for my career! Being a leader in consulting allows me to discover the best in every situation so that the result positively impacts the life of whoever is involved. Even more, as a young woman and the first from my firm outside the U.S. honored for this award, I know that we still have a long path until we reach gender equity. We have a lot of work to do together. It's recognitions like these that inspire other girls to say, "I can do it!"