Luanda, Angola – October 2024 – Refriango has announced the appointment of Vanessa Carvalho as its new Executive Board Member and Chief People and Culture Officer (CPCO). In this role, Vanessa will drive the company’s people and culture strategy, focusing on leadership development, talent management, and organizational transformation. Her expertise will be instrumental in ensuring that Refriango continues to lead in the beverage industry across Angola and Africa while fostering a vibrant and inclusive workplace culture.
Before stepping into her role at Refriango, Vanessa Carvalho served as Chief of Staff for six months, contributing to the company’s strategic decision-making processes. Her leadership and insight were essential in refining operational efficiencies and supporting executive initiatives during her tenure.
Prior to joining Refriango, Vanessa was an Associate Partner at pur’ple | purpose by people for nearly two years. There, she led several high-impact projects, focusing on human capital strategies and purpose-driven leadership. Her work helped clients enhance their organizational culture and align people strategies with business goals.
Vanessa also held a significant leadership role at Grupo Zahara, where she served in multiple capacities over three and a half years. Notably, she was the Directora Financeira & Directora Planeamento Estratégico e Controlo de Gestão, where she led strategic planning and financial control efforts, driving the company’s long-term success. Her contribution extended to overseeing talent management initiatives in the group’s human resources department.
Her early career includes six years at Deloitte as a Senior Consultant and Manager in the Human Capital Consulting practice. During her time there, Vanessa worked with various clients to optimize their talent management processes, driving organizational effectiveness and performance improvements.
Refriango is a leading company in Angola specializing in the production and distribution of soft drinks, juices, waters, energy drinks, and alcoholic beverages. With a diverse portfolio of 16 brands, Refriango dominates the beverage market in Angola and is recognized as a key player on the African continent. The company operates one of the largest beverage manufacturing units in Africa, covering 42 hectares with a workforce of 3,800 employees. Refriango’s state-of-the-art facility produces 1.9 billion liters annually, delivering over 150 products that serve markets across the continent.
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