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Juliana Bonani, IT infrastructure coordinator, Brazil

Years with AD

Interest

Sports

Character

Family

What attracted you to your chosen work?

I'm passionate about everything related to technology. What I enjoy most is seeing the technology move from the planning stage to becoming a real solution. It's not just about hardware, it's about solving problems that previously seemed impossible. That feeling that I helped build this is what makes me want to start the day with everything.

Another point is that I hate being idle, and technology is the perfect place for those who are "hungry" to learn. In this field, nothing gets old; every day, a new tool or a different way of thinking emerges. This fast pace keeps me engaged and constantly challenges me to be a better professional.

I want to be where the future happens. Technology is the engine of the biggest changes in the world today, and I don't see myself just watching it all from afar. I want to get my hands dirty, collaborate with people who think outside the box, and be a part of what's to come.

What skills did you develop early that are still useful today?

The ability to connect people to a purpose.

From an early age, I was the one who brought the group together for games or school projects. I realized that when everyone understands the "why", the engagement is completely different. Today, I use that same foundation to transform boring tasks into meaningful goals for the team.

I also learned early on how to truly listen. To connect someone to an idea, you need to understand what makes that person's eyes light up. This sensitivity that I developed in childhood helps me align everyone's expectations with the company's goals, without it seeming forced.

Ultimately, this gave me a huge advantage in communication. It's not always easy to convince others, so I've learned to be patient and adapt my speech until everyone is on the same page. It's the kind of soft skill that you can't learn from a book, only through practice.

How have you grown in your career at Avery Dennison?

I joined Avery Dennison as a coordinator, focused on organizing processes and supporting the team. From day one, I understood that here, growth doesn't happen by chance, but rather through proactivity and a desire to make a difference in the results.

My main focus has been learning the company culture and demonstrating that I can deliver value beyond the basics. I always keep an eye on how other areas work because I believe that to move up, I need to understand the business as a whole, not just my own specialty.

My expectation now is to continue evolving and taking on greater challenges. I want my journey at Avery to be marked by solid results and the building of strong partnerships, paving the way for even more strategic leadership positions.

What's the biggest stretch opportunity you've taken on?

The IT infrastructure field is predominantly male. Growing up in this field used to be difficult; today, that mentality is changing, and women are having more opportunities.

In the beginning, the biggest challenge was proving my competence all the time. In an environment dominated almost exclusively by men, any mistake seemed bigger, and success was seen as luck. I had to stand my ground and show that technical prowess has no gender, earning my place through sheer determination and hard work.

Fortunately, things are changing, and I helped open those doors. Today, I see many more women taking on leadership roles in infrastructure and IT in general. Seeing this mindset of change falling behind gives me extra motivation to keep growing and pulling others along with me.

My journey reflects this evolution. Moving from a scenario where I was the exception to one where my voice is heard and respected as a coordinator shows that the market has matured. My focus now is to use this experience so that competence is always the only criterion that matters.

When I stopped being afraid of failure and focused on how to fix things efficiently, my attitude changed.

What role has mentorship played in your career?

Today, as a coordinator, I understand that mentoring is not an isolated event, but rather a culture of exchange. No one reaches the top alone.

Throughout my journey, I've had mentors who have helped me a great deal. They showed me shortcuts that would have taken me years to discover on my own and, most importantly, gave me that push of confidence when the challenge seemed too great for a newly arrived coordinator.

Today, I try to be that person for my team. I believe that mentoring is a two-way street: while I share my market experience, I learn a great deal from the fresh perspective and new ideas of those who are just starting. It is this exchange that keeps the IT field thriving.

Ultimately, for me, mentorship is about creating successors, not followers. My greatest pride as a leader is seeing someone I mentored shine on their own. This is how we build a strong infrastructure and a much more inclusive environment.

What's the best career decision you've ever made?

That would certainly be joining Avery Dennison. I have found a balance between professional and personal life, a team that works together, and managers who are like coaches.

The key difference here is feeling like I'm not just a number. Having managers who act as coaches helps me a lot, because they not only demand goals, but they also invest time in my development as a coordinator. This provides a great deal of security to take risks and innovate.

Furthermore, team morale is what makes the difference in IT. Instead of the internal competition you see elsewhere, everyone truly helps each other. Having this support network transforms heavy challenges into problems that we solve together.

This decision gave me what I was looking for most: peace of mind. Knowing that I can deliver my work and still have time for my life outside of work is what keeps me motivated. It was the perfect match between ambition and quality of life.

As you think about the next steps in your career, what are the most important actions you plan to take?

My next step is about ensuring that the structure we're part of becomes increasingly solid, diverse and innovative.

The first major goal is to focus on cutting-edge technology that truly makes a difference in our day-to-day operations. I don't want to maintain the status quo, but rather bring innovations that automate what's tedious and free up the team to think more strategically and creatively.

Another essential point for me is strengthening diversity in infrastructure. As coordinator, I want to actively pave the way for more women and talents of diverse backgrounds to occupy space in IT.

A truly solid structure needs multiple perspectives to avoid stagnation.

I intend to invest heavily in my role as a facilitator and leader. My next step is to ensure that every person on my team has the tools and support they need to shine as brightly as I do. If the team grows together, the structure can withstand any challenge that comes its way.

What do you enjoy most about the work you do?

It's about developing people, helping my team grow.

There's nothing better than seeing someone on the team overcome a challenge that previously seemed impossible. Witnessing this evolution closely and knowing that I contributed something is what truly makes my day worthwhile.

As a coordinator, my favorite role is to be the facilitator of pathways. I love identifying each person's hidden talents and giving them the right tools. When the team grows and gains autonomy, I feel that my work is being done well.

I teach what I know, but I learn so much from each person's perspective and knowledge. It is this energy of collective growth that transforms the IT routine into something full of purpose.

International Women’s Day Reflections

What has shaped your confidence throughout your career, and how has that evolved?

What truly shaped my career was going through crises, sometimes making wrong decisions, missing deadlines or having team conflicts. Learning that I was capable of solving the problem, and not just avoiding it.

At first, I thought that having confidence meant never making mistakes, but IT showed me that mistakes are part of the game. When I stopped being afraid of failure and focused on how to fix things efficiently, my attitude changed. Today, I approach any situation with much more calm and clarity.

Another thing that strengthened me was entering environments where I was a minority. As a woman in infrastructure, I had to build my authority day by day, delivering solid results. Each challenge overcome was another step towards the confidence I have today.

This evolution has transformed me into a much more empathetic leader. Having been in the same situation several times, I am now able to bring peace of mind to my team. My confidence doesn't come from knowing everything, but from knowing that, together, we always find a way.

What advice would you give to the next generation of women considering a path like yours?

Don't give up, occupy the space with the confidence of someone who studied to be there, who dedicated time and money to their professional development. If the table is too small for your vision, help build a bigger table for those who come after you.

Find your support systems. Having other women to talk to, vent about problems and celebrate victories makes all the difference. No one needs to carry this burden alone, together we go much further and with less weight.

Our perspective as women brings a unique viewpoint to infrastructure and management that is sorely lacking in the market. Being authentic is what will make you stand out, not what will exclude you.

Celebrate every achievement, no matter how small it may seem. If you solved a complex problem or led a project, be proud of it! Trust is built day by day, and each step taken is proof that your place is exactly where you want to be.

What is a 'barrier' you’re proud to see disappearing for women in our industry?

I'm proud to see that manufacturing today is not an exclusively male environment. Today, we are no longer just operating machines, we are leading the intelligence and strategy behind the entire production line.

Another barrier is the idea that we don't understand heavy infrastructure. Seeing women managing complex networks, servers and systems with such ease is a daily victory. We prove that technical competence has nothing to do with gender.

Finally, what pleases me most is seeing women's solidarity growing. Before, we felt isolated, but today we are a network that supports and empowers each other. This barrier of professional isolation has ended, giving way to an ecosystem where one woman pulls another to the top.

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