Team size: 6 (3 professionals in Legal & Compliance and 3 professionals in Corporate Affairs & Sustainability).

A cause I am passionate about:

A cause I am deeply passionate about is Duragas’ corporate purpose: to empower the entrepreneurial spirit, with a strong focus on supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This conviction is rooted in the belief that strengthening MSMEs not only creates economic value, but also directly contributes to addressing one of the country’s main social challenges: the lack of sustainable employment and opportunities.

I was actively involved in the strategic reflections carried out during 2023, contributing a perspective aimed at defining a purpose that was coherent with the business, inspiring and actionable, rather than merely aspirational. As a result, the company entrusted the Legal and Corporate Affairs function with leading its implementation, ensuring that the purpose would be embedded into decisions, policies and everyday practices.

Implementation has been consolidated throughout 2024 and 2025 around three key commitments: leading by example, raising awareness and co-creating with the ecosystem. This has translated into initiatives that go beyond legal compliance, such as paying MSME suppliers within seven days, the creation of a dedicated online platform to support MSMEs, and strategic alliances with ecosystem partners to co-create solutions that generate positive impact in surrounding communities. Today, the corporate purpose guides decision-making, organisational culture and the way the company engages with its stakeholders.

Embedding ESG and compliance into corporate culture:

Traditionally, the legal function was viewed as reactive, focused on contracts, litigation and managing contingencies. Upon assuming the role of Compliance Officer, I promoted a shift towards a preventive, proactive and strategic approach, integrating the compliance system into the broader legal and business strategy.

Strengthening governance, based on integrity and compliance by conviction rather than obligation, allowed this mindset to permeate the organisation. This evolution led the Legal function to also assume responsibility for Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, expanding its scope towards a more integrated and preventive management of the company’s external environment, including engagement with authorities, communities, trade associations and other key stakeholders.

This transformation enabled a coherent integration of the three ESG pillars: aligning environmental management under protection, prevention and compliance standards; reinforcing the social dimension through corporate purpose and social responsibility; and consolidating governance as a transversal pillar. In this context, the role of the General Counsel evolved into a leadership position that actively fosters an ethical, sustainable and compliance-driven culture across all levels of the organisation.

Legal as a strategic business partner: tangible impact

Today, the Legal and Corporate Affairs team acts as a strategic business partner, enabling agile and responsible decision-making, anticipating risks and contributing to sustainable value creation. Our contribution is reflected in the effective integration of purpose, ESG and compliance into the company’s overall strategy.

The results are tangible. During 2024 and 2025, the company achieved a strong position in the MERCO Corporate Reputation ranking, reaching second place in the oil and gas sector and 66th place overall. In addition, it received external recognition for its purpose-led approach, including awards for being the company that contributes the most to traditional MSMEs, granted by the AEI, and for being a company that inspires MSMEs, awarded by the Ministry of Production.

These milestones confirm that a legal function embedded in strategy, with a clear ESG focus and results-driven mindset, not only protects the organisation, but also strengthens its reputation, long-term sustainability and positive impact on society.