From São Paulo to Buenos Aires: the journey of an executive in the automotive sector
Rodolfo Aragon, currently Group Controller South America at Magna Seating, a multinational auto parts company, has a career marked by versatility, resilience and a solid academic foundation at FGV. A graduate in Business Administration from the institution and a CEAG alumni with a focus on corporate finance, Rodolfo combines excellent training with practical experience spanning different industries and countries.
Challenges that shape your career
Rodolfo's career began in the financial sector, but reached a turning point when he took on the responsibility of professionalizing the financial management of the family business. "It was a great learning experience to leave a consolidated structure and experience the pains of being an entrepreneur in Brazil, especially in the industrial sector, which requires a lot of capital," he says. After years of restructuring and challenges, the company closed its doors, and Rodolfo returned to the corporate market, where he specialized in corporate restructuring consulting.
His dynamic profile has led him to move through different sectors – from manufacturing to real estate – until he reached the competitive automotive market, always applying technical skills and competencies developed along the way. This multifaceted experience, according to him, provides a holistic vision, essential for a modern finance executive.
The transformative role of the master's degree
In 2020, Rodolfo decided it was time to take a new leap in his career. He enrolled in the Professional Master's Degree in Management for Competitiveness (MPGC), Finance and Controllership at FGV EAESP. "It was transformative. I wanted to update my knowledge and take another step up in my professional life," he says.
The master's degree provided theoretical and practical tools that he immediately applied at the multinational company where he works today. "When I took on my position, it was like copying and pasting what I had learned at FGV. The alignment between academic concepts and company practices was essential to overcome the learning curve," he explains.
Furthermore, he highlights the impact of networking provided by the institution. "Since graduation, the connections made at FGV have opened doors for my career development. Networking is relevant in all aspects."
International career and challenges in Argentina
Today, Rodolfo lives with his family in Buenos Aires and faces macroeconomic challenges specific to the Argentine market. He explains that his experience in Brazil was essential to navigate the scenario of hyperinflation, currency devaluation and economic restrictions that the neighboring country recently went through and is now in the recovery phase. "The master's degree provided me with the technical capacity, resilience and courage necessary to break paradigms and try innovative solutions to mitigate and overcome difficulties and challenges in such a complex environment," he says.
Rodolfo also emphasizes that internationalizing his career requires cultural flexibility. "I'm Brazilian, but I'm the son of Argentines. This helped me adapt, but the complexity of the Argentine market required creativity and technical preparation. This was an aspect that FGV helped me a lot with."
The future of the financial executive
For Rodolfo, the finance area is the "brain" of organizations and requires constant updating in the face of technological innovations, such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation. He believes that the finance professional must be a transformative leader, capable of connecting areas, solving complex problems and shaping companies for a prosperous future.
"FGV was essential in preparing me not only as a professional, but also as a person. The flexibility and adaptability that I developed there were essential for my development and brought me to where I am today," he concludes.
Rodolfo's story is an example of how the FGV EAESP master's degree not only transforms careers, but also prepares executives to lead in challenging and constantly evolving global scenarios.
