Gabriella Mierel highlights the role of Financial Communication in IR

GABRIELLA MIEREL HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION IN IR AND DISCUSSES THE TRANSFORMATION OF BRK

Gabriella has a rather non-linear trajectory. With over 15 years of experience in companies in the energy, sanitation, and infrastructure sectors, she has moved through various roles before reaching leadership in Strategic Planning and Investor Relations. “I was never that professional who followed just one path. I’ve worked in collections, sustainability, communications. There were times when I asked myself: which badge should I wear today?” she recalls.

This versatility, which at first seemed like a lack of direction, has now proven to be one of her greatest strengths as an executive. “Each role gave me a piece of the puzzle. And by putting all of that together, I became someone capable of seeing the entire company and translating that clearly to the market.”

This broad perspective was crucial for the restructuring of BRK’s strategy, which she led. “It’s not just about setting targets. It’s about listening. Hearing what the CEO thinks, what the engineering director thinks, and finding common ground. We came up with the phrase ‘to be the most efficient company in the sector,’ but getting there took a lot of conversations, analysis, and alignment.”

From that point on, Gabriella also took on the role of Head of Investor Relations. In the episode, she fondly recalls the invitation from the company’s CEO: “He invited me to lunch and said they were considering me for IR. My reaction was: ‘Seriously?’. But I accepted. And I fell in love with it. With every meeting, every visit, I realized this role requires much more than technical expertise. It demands curiosity, relationship-building, and the courage to dive deep into the business.”

She emphasizes that the investor profile has changed. “They don’t just want numbers. They want to understand how the operation works, what the daily routine is like. They ask me about everything — from the cost of a Pix transfer to the execution of projects in Maceió. We need to be ready to give real answers, not just rehearsed speeches.”

Gabriella also candidly highlights the importance of turning ESG into practice. “There’s no point in embellishing a narrative if it doesn’t hold up. Good ESG is the kind that creates real impact. The financing we signed with the IDB, for example, has social and environmental targets that, if met, reduce our debt cost. That’s ESG with concrete returns,” she concludes.

Throughout the episode, she also talks about the Fonte de Futuro project, investor visits to operational units, the use of social media in market communications, and the integration between IR and internal communications. “IR is not a shop window. It’s behind the scenes. It’s about making sure the right information reaches people with clarity, context, and purpose.”

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