Mariana Parody, transformation manager at CMPC: "Vantaz was my second family"

"I approach problems, understand them and make things happen. That I would say is my vantaztic hallmark."

Mariana Parodi came from Argentina to Chile motivated both by love and by finding new job prospects. In the midst of the crisis of the corralito in Argentina, her then boyfriend, and now her current husband, started looking for a job, and it was in Vantaz Group, where he found an opportunity that made him cross the Andes. Mariana followed him in his adventure.

"It was right then that we realized that Vantaz offered another job opportunity that fit my profile perfectly, so we decided to come to Chile without thinking about it," says Mariana.

A change of country is never easy, however, to this day Mariana is still grateful for all the love that Vantaz gave her during what was finally twelve years. "They were my second family and my main support to face everything that involves settling from scratch in a new country".

A commercial engineer by profession, she has worked most of her life in consulting. After her time at Vantaz, she worked for seven years for BHP and currently holds the position of transformation manager at CMPC.

What work did you do at Vantaz Group?

I joined as a senior consultant and worked on different projects. I worked for "Metrópolis", Enap, BHP, etc. Then, together with Juan Cariamo, we set up the entire change management line, a line that I led as senior manager. In that project I had a more leading role, so some time later I became a partner. There I was in charge of more commercial issues, managing different types of projects, in general always on the side of transformation, both human and technological. Those were twelve years of professional and personal growth.

What do you remember as the most difficult thing about the time you arrived in Chile?

At first I felt very lonely. It was difficult to adapt to the logic of the country, the customs, the language, among other things. Although I lived with my boyfriend, he had to travel every Sunday to the mine and return on Thursdays, so I spent a lot of time alone. However, after a short time, I was able to overcome those barriers and integrate myself into the Chilean culture by generating support networks. That is where Vantaz was my main support. They helped me a lot to generate networks, both internal and external.

What do you remember with satisfaction?

The Vantáztic culture. That close, friendly, transparent and horizontal work environment.

I remember the welcome my husband was given in the partners' apartment; the initiations "vantázticas", and of course!, the trip to Chillán with the whole team to Mauro Mezzano's house. In general, everything took place in a very close family atmosphere. But, not for that reason, it was not undemanding or unprofessional in terms of work.

Did you see that culture later on in other jobs?

Not so much. I was in more corporate units, so it is difficult to achieve that level of integration and closeness in such a large company. It is a special characteristic of Vantaz that despite growing, it persists.

What do you highlight from your time at Vantaz that perhaps you have continued to apply in your work life?

At Vantaz we had a motto: we made things happen. It was a consulting firm that did not just give a theoretical framework, but rolled up its sleeves and managed to implement. I think that is something I have maintained over the years and has been a plus throughout my career. I approach problems, understand them and make things happen. That I would say is my hallmark. "vantáztico"

What would you like for Vantaz in the future?

This business started as a venture and today it is a very solid company in terms of culture and content. Vantaz must continue to transcend in the new generations and become a bridge between mining and society.