FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE TO THE CAPITAL MARKETS: JÉSSICA CANTELE’S JOURNEY IN IR

Jéssica is a rising professional in the Investor Relations market. As an IR specialist at Fras-le, one of the leading companies in the auto parts and mobility control sector, she plays a crucial role in connecting the company with its investors, ensuring that its message is conveyed clearly and transparently.

Her journey so far has been marked by challenges and a constant pursuit of growth. Born in the countryside of Caxias do Sul, Jéssica grew up in a family of farmers and, from an early age, showed a desire to explore new paths. “I come from a family living in the countryside of Caxias do Sul. My parents are farmers; they didn’t have many opportunities in life, so to speak, right? They had little formal education and always encouraged their children to study,” she shared. Despite her simple rural life, she was always fascinated by the city and knew that to seize greater opportunities, she would need to leave home. “I always loved the city; I had to travel about an hour every day to study because there was no school near where my parents lived,” she recalled.

Determined to build a different future, Jéssica moved to São Paulo at a young age, facing the reality of living far from her family and learning to be independent. “My professional life started very early. Since I left my parents’ house, I started working,” she said. From the beginning, she sought training and dedicated herself to courses that could open doors for her. “I took computer, typing, and accounting courses. A year after leaving my parents’ house, I met a cousin who worked at an accounting office, and that’s when my career started to take shape in finance,” she explained.

This initial experience was essential in helping Jéssica find her path. “I have a degree in accounting, and that’s where my passion for numbers began. I worked for five years in that accounting office, which was like a school for me,” she recalled. Then came the industrial sector, a period of even more intense learning. During this phase, she lived abroad, broadening her horizons and preparing for even greater challenges. “I returned wanting to use my language skills in my profession and ended up joining Fras-le,” she said, explaining how her entry into the company led her to delve into controllership before transitioning to IR.

The shift to IR was unplanned but resulted from a combination of factors and internal encouragement. “I had been invited several times to work in the commercial area because of my communication skills. When the IR opportunity arose, I didn’t even consider the position at first, but someone told me: ‘Look, this position is open, and I think it fits you perfectly.’ I thought, ‘Really? Let me take a look.’ And that’s when I started exploring this area,” she shared.

Upon taking on the role, she realized she needed to go beyond technical knowledge and fully immerse herself in communication. “When I started in IR, I knew about 50% of what was required. But the role demanded much more than technical expertise; it required effective communication and the ability to connect with people,” she reflected on the transformation her career required.

Jéssica emphasized that, in IR, one must go beyond numbers. “Communication is the soul of IR work. You need to be transparent and connect with different audiences. Each meeting requires a unique approach. Even when the scenario isn’t positive, our responsibility is to communicate this in an honest and reassuring manner,” she said, highlighting the importance of transparent communication, especially when dealing with financial or operational challenges.

Regarding the transition from internal communication in controllership to external communication in IR, Jéssica revealed that the main challenge was learning to communicate with different types of audiences. “Communication in Controllership is more internal. In IR, it is external communication with investors, analysts, the press, and the market,” she explained, recalling the need to adapt to this new interaction dynamic.

Jéssica also spoke about the necessary balance to ensure effective communication, particularly in global communication. “Flexibility is essential, especially when dealing with investors from different regions and profiles. What changes is how you adapt the message while always respecting the particularities of those receiving it,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of tailoring the approach without losing the essence of what needs to be communicated.

Motherhood was also an important milestone in Jéssica’s life, and she shared how this personal experience helped her become more resilient and patient. “Being a mother taught me many things, such as resilience and patience. These skills I carry into both my personal and professional life,” she commented, stressing the importance of balancing the different roles she plays in her career and family life.

Reflecting on her career and the lessons she learned, Jéssica made it clear that, for her, IR is a field that requires much more than an understanding of numbers. “It’s not just about numbers; it’s about telling a story, building trust, and being truthful with all stakeholders,” she concluded.

She ended with important advice for professionals working or aspiring to work in IR: “Be transparent, be authentic, and have confidence in what you are communicating. Honesty is what will build lasting relationships with investors.”

The episode also covered many other important topics related to the investor relations universe.

–

Cassio Rufino
CFO & COO

Erica Camanducci
Press & External Communication

Press Offices
imprensa@mzgroup.com | +55 (11) 94242-5988

–

About MZ

MZ (www.mzgroup.com) is the largest independent global player and the leader in investor relations (IR) solutions.

The company, founded in 1999, has surpassed 2,500 published websites and currently serves more than 800 companies and investment managers on 12 stock exchanges.

With the purpose of empowering IR strategies, MZ delivers innovative technologies and exceptional customer service, ensuring long-term partnerships.