The gender agenda has a significant impact on the labor market and poses challenges and opportunities for companies. In the context of International Women's Day (March 8), the role of companies becomes crucial in addressing gender inequalities and promoting more inclusive work environments. At ALG, we recognize the importance of valuing and actively promoting the participation of women. We strive to build and nurture a work environment that fosters gender equality, working to improve parity at all levels of our firm.

In the week of International Women's Day, we spoke with Tamara Gaspar, Engagement Manager at ALG, to share her experiences, challenges, and reflections on her career and professional growth in our company. Tamara's inspiring words motivate us to continue celebrating the achievements of women in our team and to keep working towards a more equitable future, both within and beyond ALG.

Tamara is a Manager at ALG, bringing with her over 10 years of extensive experience as a consultant in the transportation sector. Her expertise spans a wide range of areas, including strategic plans, freight traffic studies, market assessments, and feasibility studies, with a primary focus on highways and urban mobility.

Tamara holds a degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Transportation Engineering, both earned from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo. Throughout her career, she has excelled in transportation consulting firms, and her dedication led her to serve as an expert consultant for the World Bank in 2020.

In her role, Tamara has been instrumental in various capacities, undertaking technical feasibility studies, economic modeling, market analysis, and contributing to the strategic planning and structuring of road concession projects. As a land transportation specialist at ALG, she has actively participated in business plan due diligence projects, meticulously auditing demand and revenue projections, as well as Capex and Opex plans. Additionally, Tamara has provided technical assistance for bidding processes and played a key role in monitoring project implementations.

Her multifaceted experience and commitment to excellence make Tamara a valuable asset to ALG, and her journey reflects a deep understanding of the complexities within the transportation sector.

We spoke with her to understand her motivation to study civil engineering, her development and growth within ALG, her analysis regarding the presence and representation of women in consulting, as well as her role models and her opinion on the balance between personal and professional life. A conversation that helps shed light on the importance of gender diversity in this and many other professional sectors.

1- What is your analysis regarding the presence of women in the consulting sector? Do you believe it has full and equitable representation?

The participation of women in consultancy is steadily increasing, which is very positive. However, it is more common to find women in lower positions, and it remains quite rare to see them in leadership roles within major consulting firms. In this context, I take pride in ALG, as there is significant participation of women among the directors and managers.

2- Do you think there is a glass ceiling in the consulting world? What barriers, in your opinion, limit women in their career advancement?

Just as in other technical fields traditionally led by men, women in consulting face a "glass ceiling". In addition to the scarcity of female leadership and the absence of a corporate culture that propels the career development of women in consulting, there is sometimes a distrust from clients, especially in more traditional institutions, when it comes to women holding managerial or directorial positions.

3- What motivated you to study Civil Engineering, and how did you decide to dedicate your professional career to consulting?

Throughout my journey, I have always embraced challenges and demonstrated a natural aptitude for numbers, which naturally led me to pursue a career in engineering. Opting for consultancy was driven by the dynamic nature inherent in projects. Particularly in the realm of transportation infrastructure, my motivation is deeply rooted in the direct impact it has on the economic development of a region. I believe that contributing to the efficiency and expansion of transportation networks carries significant implications for local economic prosperity, and it is this vision that propels my commitment to this specific area of consultancy.

4- As a Manager at ALG today, has your journey been challenging in terms of gender? Do you think more positive discrimination in favor of women is needed?

Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to work in places where I was respected and appreciated for my skills. Although I've encountered instances of prejudice in specific situations, with the support of colleagues and managers, I've been able to navigate through them. Now, in a leadership role, I strive to ensure that those within my professional circle do not have to deal with such challenges.

5- Speaking of role models throughout your professional journey, who have they been? Have you had any female mentors?

In the consultancy world, we are blessed with the opportunity to cross paths with a variety of individuals who enrich our journey with their inspiring examples. Throughout this path, I have had the privilege of getting to know several women who have become true role models for me, each contributing in a unique way through different perspectives and life experiences. Although I did not have a female mentor, I found a remarkable mentor in Guilherme Esmanhoto, a partner at ALG. He has been doing a wonderful job at ALG Brazil, enabling and encouraging the development of women as leaders both internally and within the consultancy sector, such as myself and Alba Freixa.

6- Work-life balance is a significant topic in the corporate world, especially in sectors where work is intense. How has it been in your case? Have you managed to balance your personal and professional life? As a mother, how do you integrate family and work?

Balancing personal and professional life is challenging. Before becoming a mother, I was used to working beyond regular business hours to better serve my clients and provide more attention to my team. However, since becoming a mother, this practice has become impractical, as every moment out of work now is, and should be, dedicated to my family. However, this has helped me to develop in a way that I am much more dedicated and productive while at work.

ALG has supported me in this process, allowing me flexibility in working hours to meet my child's needs. This approach has been positively communicated to the team, and today, everyone understands and supports my unique schedule. Nonetheless, even with the company's support, juggling all responsibilities remains a significant challenge. Nevertheless, this flexibility has been essential in striking a balance between professional demands and dedication to my family

7- What would you say to young women who want to study an Engineering career? And then pursue a career in consulting?

An engineering education prepares you to solve problems, opening doors to various career possibilities. Working in consultancy allows you to learn significantly, as projects are dynamic, always offering different aspects to explore. So, if you have the desire to work in this field, what I can say is that, despite the challenges, it is highly rewarding. The continuous learning and the ability to find innovative solutions make the job fulfilling, providing a stimulating and rewarding professional environment.

8- In 2024, the theme for International Women's Day is "Investing in women, accelerating progress". What measures and initiatives do you believe can be promoted by companies for greater equality and equity? Do you think more actions are needed from the corporate sector to accelerate the progress/promotion of women? What analysis do you make of ALG specifically regarding the investment made in the women who are part of the team?

The fight for gender equality is a global cause that transcends the borders of ALG. A clear evidence of this issue is the low representation of women in leadership positions in consulting firms overall. However, at ALG Brazil, this dynamic is notably different, with managerial positions held by women. The office has stood out by providing equal opportunities for both men and women, setting a significant example for the rest of the company to follow. I believe that this stance not only strengthens diversity within the organization but also serves as an inspiring model to foster positive changes throughout the entire company.

About the authors

Melina Díaz Christiansen

Bachelor's degree in Social Communication, master's degree in Journalism, and specialized in digital communication and marketing. Communication Manager at ALG.