BETWEEN STORIES, NUMBERS, AND CONNECTIONS: THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF IR THROUGH THE EYES OF FERNANDA BRIENZA

Fernanda Brienza grew up in a family that always encouraged freedom of choice and critical thinking. The daughter of teachers—her father, an economist, and her mother, an entrepreneurial musician—she highlighted how this environment contributed to her development: “They helped me think outside the box,” she said.

Her entry into Investor Relations (IR) happened unexpectedly. “My first internship was in treasury because I always liked logic. But then I received an invitation to intern in IR, even though I didn’t really know what it was. I did some research, found it super interesting, and dove right in.” Fernanda started her journey on the right foot: early in her career, she had the opportunity to work alongside Diego Barreto, now the CEO of iFood. “He trusted the team in a unique way. At 23, I took my first international business trips representing the IR area, and it was with him that I learned how to build this function from scratch. It was a turning point,” she recalled.

Over time, Fernanda realized how strategic the Investor Relations field was. “You turn numbers into storytelling. You show how decisions impact results and need to translate that for different audiences.” In addition to technical expertise, she understood that a good IR professional needs to gather diverse knowledge, from accounting to legislation, and have the ability to interact with all areas of the company. “You learn from legal, from the finance team, from the product team. IR gives you access to everything and everyone,” she stated.

Today, at Itaúsa, Fernanda operates in a dynamic and challenging environment. Since it is a holding company with multiple investments, communication needs to be even more structured. “I thought that because it was a holding, the work would be simpler, but it’s actually the opposite. We have to align messages with all the invested companies, ensure consistency, meet deadlines, and translate our strategic vision for the market. Everything is meticulously orchestrated,” she explained.

For her, adapting the message to the audience is essential. “Institutional investors expect direct, technical, and strategic communication. Meanwhile, retail investors need something more educational, assertive, and multi-channel. That’s why we use videos, newsletters, social media… each format is designed to be as clear and relevant as possible for each audience,” she said.

Fernanda also highlighted the crucial role of the partnership between IR and Communication at Itaúsa. “Our social media channels were never created to sell products but to communicate with shareholders. The communication department was born within IR. Today, we are in different areas, but we remain absolutely connected. IR cannot exist without Communication and vice versa,” she affirmed.

During the conversation, Fernanda fondly recalled the mentors who shaped her journey. Besides Diego Barreto, she mentioned Michele Corda, her leader during her time at Suzano. “She was very organized, firm, and inspiring. She took me to international conferences and helped me structure my routine in a more strategic way. I carry her lessons with me to this day,” she shared.

Regarding the daily routine in IR, she was straightforward: “There is no boredom in IR. It’s an intense, dynamic routine full of unexpected challenges. Those who know me know I love a to-do list, but it’s hard to get to the end of the list without new priorities emerging throughout the day.” Despite the fast pace, Fernanda makes a point of connecting with different areas within the company. “IR cannot be isolated. You need to walk around the company, talk to people, and understand different perspectives. Everyone has a piece of the story to tell,” she emphasized.

She also spoke about the importance of active listening to the market. “After every event, we conduct satisfaction surveys to understand investors’ perceptions. We bring these insights to the board and use them as a basis to improve our communication,” she explained.

Regarding technology, she revealed that Itaúsa is making significant strides. “We are on an artificial intelligence journey with all employees. I believe IR has a lot to gain from AI: from automating reports to sentiment analysis and message personalization,” she said.

At the end of the conversation, Fernanda shared what she believes are the key traits for those looking to grow in IR: strong interpersonal relationships, curiosity, and continuous learning. “IR depends on many areas, so you need to know how to connect. More than that, you need to stay updated. Laws change, the market changes, and you need to keep up. It’s a continuous journey,” she concluded.

The episode covered many other important topics in the world of investor relations.

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Cassio Rufino
CFO & COO

Erica Camanducci
Press & External Communication

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

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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.