Isabel Faria

• Executive Directorwith over 20 years of experience: 5 years as CEO/General Manager,5 years in Business Development and 11 years in Finance/Controlling. Strong Global Project Management.
• Over 15 years of experience in Food Multinationals: Cargill & Provimiin Portugal, The Netherlands, UnitedStates and Spain
• Over 10 years of entrepreneurial experience ofcommercial activity and marketing of companies andbrands internationally
• Experience in international M&A processes ofacquisition and mergers.
• Experience as Angel Investor,Business Consultant, Mentorand Entrepreneurforinnovative startups
• Graduate in Business Management + Post-graduate degree in StrategicMarketing + M&A Specialization

Commercial Director International Markets

Grupo Montalva, Montijo, Portugal April 2023 to Mar 2024

Grupo Montalva isa food company inthe distribution of meat and processedmeat products, boasting a turnoverof €200M. With a robust international presence spanningacross 30 countrieswith flagship brands include Izidoro, Damatta,and Veggie Lovers.

Key Achievements:

• Spearheaded the International Markets Business Development team, directly reporting to the CEO
• Sales team management of 6 professionals overseeing all aspectsof the International Markets Business, with full profit and loss responsibility, achieving an annual turnover of €17M.
• New business development forthe by-product’s unit of PetAqua, laying asolid foundation for growth. Successfully cultivated keyrelationshipswithin the petfood industry, generatingapproximately€2M in business.
• Crafted and executed growthstrategy for theAsian market, particularly focusing on Japan.Initiated market entry in 2023, negotiatingdeals with four of the largesttrading houses, projecting a potential turnoverof €1.5M in 2024.

CEO | Board Member

BFood S.A., Palmela, Portugal November 2020 to December2022

BFood S.A. is a dynamicfood company specializing in the production and distribution of dehydrated and lyophilized food products, with a strong presence in both the retail and food service sectors.

Key Achievements:

• Held a pivotalrole reporting directlyto the Board of Directors
• Leadership of a team of 40 individuals, overseeing all aspectsof operations and holding full profit and loss responsibility with an annual turnover of €5M.
• Successfullydrove a 10% increase in domestic sales with challenging market circumstances
• Optimized operationalcost structure implementing initiatives resulting in a 20% reduction in expenses.

CEO| Founder

DreamFormula, Lisbon, Portugal (OliveEmotion) October 2017 to November 2020

Food and consulting services company focusedin premium olive oils and agri-food consulting services.

Key Achievements:

• Delivered strategic advisory services leveragingexpertise to drive sustainable growth and operational excellence.
• Conceptualizedand launched innovative premium brand OliveEmotion, positioning it as a leadingplayer and won multiple awards include the exquisite Guide Flos Olei for 500 Top Olive Oils in 2021 guide.
• Drove successful international markets penetration with new businessdevelopment to China,Germany, and Switzerland.

 CARGILL GROUP

Business Development Director | Interim Country Manager

Cargill Portugal - Lisbon,Portugal January 2015 to June 2017

Cargill Portugal is a leading agrifood companyspecializing in animal nutrition,boasting a robust turnover of €75M.

Key Achievements:

• Directed amultidisciplinary team encompassing Business Development and Marketing functions with25 people.
• I spearheaded the successful acquisition and integration of a retail animal nutritionbrand resulting in a 30% increasein company turnover (€25million per year) turning market sharefrom 18% to 23%.
• Led with the CountryManager on initiatives that enhanced the Unitary Marginby 10%.
• Drove commercial initiatives with commercial and marketing teams, yielding an annual EBITDA of €0.7million.
• Slashed processoptimization endeavors resultingin a 25% increase in EBITDA.

Global Process and Project Manager

Cargill Inc. Minneapolis (remote), U.S.A. December 2010 - December 2014

• Coled globalimplementation of financeprocesses in ERP system throughstrategic and organizational projects
• European Anti-trust approval data lead inglobal sale of the 2B€ turnover businessof PROVIMI to CARGILL
• Led cross-team on implementing globalproject in10 countries to design structure for innovation category.

PROVIMI GROUP 

Finance Director

Provimi Iberia - Madrid, Spain December 2008 - December2010

• Led a team of 20 professionals in administrative, credit, treasury,and management controlareas.
• Awarded globallywith the IberiaTeam for best performing team in 2009.
• Achieveda 17% increasein EBITDA (approximately€1 million) byimplementingoptimizationinitiatives.

Global BusinessGroup Controller

Provimi Holding B.V. - Rotterdam, The Netherlands May 2006 - December 2008

• Co-led a global marketand commercial strategyproject across 20 countries in collaboration with the BCG
• Led globalinitiatives driving key cost reductionand working capitaloptimization efforts by 20% globally.

Financial Controller Provimi Portugal,Lisbon, Portugal January2004 - April 2006

• Post-Graduate:Certificate - Mergers and Acquisitions, ImperialCollege Business School,London, U.K., 2022
• Post-Graduate: Executive Program Adv. Marketing (PAME), Católica LisbonSchool of Bus. & Econ. -2012-13
• Post-Graduate: Finance Administration, London South Bank University, London, U.K.
• Graduate: Management 5-year Degree, Instituto Superior Ciências Trabalho e Empresas (I.S.C.T.E), Lisbon
• Languages: Portuguese (Native),English (Cambridge Proficiency), Spanish (Fluent).