Interview with Adriana Jesus, Senior PMO Consultant
With nearly four years at MIGSO-PCUBED Portugal, Adriana Jesus has grown into a key link between client expectations, company strategy and consultant delivery. As a Senior PMO Consultant, she plays a pivotal role in fostering alignment across stakeholders, ensuring clear communication, collaboration and a shared sense of purpose. In this interview, she shares her perspective on how to work effectively together and deliver added value to our clients.
Could you walk us through your career path and how your responsibilities evolved over time? What motivated you the most to take on the roles you've held so far?
With a background in Chemical Engineering, I started my career working in quality management and process optimization within the plastic injection mold industry.
Following three years in France, which strengthened my language skills and cultural adaptability, I joined MIGSO-PCUBED as a PMO Analyst. Over time, I progressed to Senior PMO Consultant, gaining broad experience across projects, clients, and organizational challenges.
I also became a Delivery Performance Coordinator, working closely with our Business Unit Technical Leaders and supporting a wider network of consultants. At the same time, I joined a transformation team dedicated to support one of our major clients in Portugal, contributing to strategic initiatives such as promoting the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, strengthening planning competencies, and supporting new ways of working.
Looking back, I realize that every step in my career has been driven by curiosity and a desire to keep learning. Every new responsibility reinforced something I strongly believe: the best results come when people collaborate, trust each other, and work towards a common goal.
In a role that combines technical expertise and management, what are the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced is balancing different perspectives and expectations. In my role, I work with many different people, from consultants and technical leaders to delivery and engagement managers, and each of them has different priorities and objectives. My responsibility is to support communication and ensure everyone is aligned and focused on achieving shared objectives.
Another challenge has been supporting change. Change is not only about processes or tools. It is about people. I have learned that listening, understanding concerns, and explaining the purpose behind a change are just as important as the change itself.
Finally, one of the most valuable lessons in my career has been learning how to influence without formal authority. This has taught me that leadership is not defined by a job title, but by the ability to build trust, encourage collaboration, and help others succeed.
As you reach your 4th anniversary at MIGSO-PCUBED, what achievement are you most proud of, and what makes it meaningful to you?
More than a career progression, my professional opportunities have shown that people trusted me to support important initiatives and contribute to the team beyond my day-to-day responsibilities.
A milestone that I am particularly proud of was achieving my PMP® certification. It was a demanding challenge that required dedication and perseverance, and I am grateful that MIGSO-PCUBED supported me throughout this journey. It strengthened my project management knowledge and reinforced my commitment to continuous learning and professional development, with a positive impact on both people and the organization.
The sense of trust, continuous learning, and personal growth is what I am most proud of, and it motivates me to keep learning, taking on new challenges, and contributing wherever I can make a difference.
From your perspective, what does it mean to be a woman at MIGSO-PCUBED, and how do you help support or empower other women in the company?
For me, being a woman at MIGSO-PCUBED means having the opportunity to grow in an environment where dedication, curiosity, and collaboration are valued. I also believe that supporting other women does not always require big gestures. Sometimes, it starts with everyday actions: sharing knowledge, being available to answer questions, encouraging someone to take on a new challenge, or simply listening and offering support when it is needed.
Throughout my own journey, I strive to show that growth comes from being curious, embracing new opportunities, and never being afraid to keep learning. When we support one another and celebrate each other's successes, we all grow stronger together.
Considering your journey and the people you’ve worked with at MIGSO-PCUBED, what do you value most or have learned to appreciate the most? Have any specific people inspired you?
Looking back on my journey at MIGSO-PCUBED, what I value the most is the people. Every project and new responsibility has given me the opportunity to work with colleagues who were willing to share their knowledge, challenge my thinking, and support my development.
They have created an environment where I have always felt encouraged to take on new challenges and continue growing. I believe that this culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous learning is one of the reasons why, almost four years later, I still feel motivated and excited about my journey at MIGSO-PCUBED.
Looking beyond your professional life, which personal experiences have most contributed to your success at MIGSO-PCUBED, and in what ways?
I believe that some of my most valuable learning experiences happened through the communities I chose to be part of.
One of them was Toastmasters, an international organization dedicated to developing communication and leadership skills through public speaking. Over the years, I had the opportunity to take on several committee roles, which gave me the confidence to speak in front of different audiences and learn from people with very different backgrounds.
More recently, I collaborated with Mulheres Incomuns as a contributing author to Mulheres Incomuns II, a book that brings together the stories of inspiring women from diverse professional backgrounds. Their journeys, their determination, and even the challenges they openly shared have had a profound impact on me.
One of my biggest lessons has been realizing that self-doubt is more common than we think. While I still experience imposter syndrome, I now see it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and step outside my comfort zone.
If you could suggest one transformative idea for MIGSO-PCUBED, whether locally or globally, what would it be?
It would be to further strengthen cross-country collaboration and knowledge sharing.
One of MIGSO-PCUBED's greatest strengths is the diversity of expertise gained through working across different countries, cultures, and industries. We already have many initiatives that encourage collaboration, and I believe there is an opportunity to build even stronger connections this way.
I also believe that some of the best ideas come from stepping outside our own engagement and learning how other colleagues approach similar challenges in different contexts. This is also an advantage of being part of a global company. The more we encourage that curiosity and strengthen those connections, the more we grow together as one global team.
