Interview: Rafaela Gontijo, Founder and CEO of NUU Alimentos Brazil

Rafaela Gontijo #SheLeadsTheChange

• What is your project about and what do you love about it?

 I’m the Founder and CEO of a Food Industry in Brazil called NUU. We make pão de queijo and tapioca sticks and we are launching a line of gluten free tapioca pizza. What I love about it is the opportunity I have to make a change in food system in Brazil.

• How does it contribute to improve the environment?

 From root to garbage, we regenerate the food process in all steps of the way. We work with local institution to bring agroforest knowledge to our local farmers, we produce in a carbon zero factory, all our product line had their emission of CO2 calculated and we compensated 585 tons of CO2 by preserving the rain forest in 2021.Our packaging is 100% compensated through our partner Eu Reciclo and we 80% of our suppliers are within 37 km of our factory helping local communities to still make tradicional farming.

• What other women have inspired you in your career?

 My mom, my two daughters and all grandmothers that created Brazilian cultural cuisine by putting their creativity in the dishes we consume nationwide.

• What challenges have you face in your entrepreneurial journey that could help others?

 A disbelieve that an entrepreneur woman that comes from the countryside can make a change In today’s world where «Ivy Leagues diplomes» are putted above traditional knowledge.

Today more than ever we value nature’s intelligence and the people that work with it. We must understand that if we want to address climate change we need to get away from the computer, put our boots and go back to the countryside, talk with local farmers, understand nowadays agriculture and the roots that are holding a regenerative change to happen.

• What kind of support have you found helpful in advancing your career?

 Connecting with people that has the same view about business and future that you have. I would start by becoming a member of the Conscious Capitalism Institute.