The Indian real estate industry is a booming market segment with more players entering the vertical on a regular basis. Bennet and Bernard is one pioneering business organization which has been able to create an ever-growing niche for itself in the highly-competitive Indian real estate industry. Aside from real estate, the company has also made impressive strides in multiple other industry verticals including Hospitality, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Agriculture, and Social Welfare to name a few. As of now, the company has strong presence in India and Portugal among many regions. Over the years, Bennet and Bernard has been awarded on numerous occasions including being the recipient of ‘Residential Developer of the Year’ by Economic Times Real Estate & Excellence Awards 2023. It also secured ‘Best Employer Brand Award 2023 (Goa)’, ‘Best Themed Villa Project’ by 14th Realty Plus conclave and excellence awards 2022, and Realty Plus 40 Under 40 amongst others. Fabiola Mendes e Rodrigues holds the office of Director and HR Partner at Bennet and Bernard. Aside from this, she also Chairs its social vertical - Rooney Marlee Welfare Trust. Leveraging her industry expertise and passion for business excellence, Fabiola Mendes e Rodrigues has been able to be a catalyst of positive change in Bennet and Bernard’s sustained success in the industry.

In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur, Fabiola Mendes e Rodrigues gives more insights into her professional journey and how she strives for success in the industry.

What are some important facets of your life and professional journey?

From a young age, I have believed that work is a blessing. At 16, I balanced my studies with an internship at Taj and explored door-to-door sales. When I turned 20, I embarked on a corporate journey, excelling at renowned Fortune 500 companies like General Electric and Amazon. At GE, I climbed the ranks from a Phone Associate to a Compliance & Quality Leader, and later joined Amazon-HYD as a Training Leader for Customer Service Operations, contributing to the groundbreaking launch of Amazon India. After 15.5 years of night shifts and corporate accomplishments, I made a significant career shift to join my family business, Bennet and Bernard. Embracing the extraordinary and inevitable nature of change, I am fueled by the transformative journey and the power it holds.

Take us through your educational experience and the prior industry experience that you bring to the table

I have completed PGHRM (XLRI Distance Learning) and Theology (Masters in Divinity - Distance Learning). I hold a Bachelor of Commerce degree and bring with me 23 years of work experience, out of which 15.5 years were spent in a corporate environment. Additionally, I have gained valuable on-the-job entrepreneurial exposure at Bennet and Bernard.

“I believe that there are no shortcuts and no limits to what you can achieve, you should believe in yourself before you can expect others to believe in you”

Tell us about the key business lessons you've picked up through prior work experience that empowers you to be a better leader today.

At the core of my beliefs, I prioritize people, both within my teams and as end customers, ensuring they receive the utmost value from our products and services. By nurturing and supporting my team members and fostering a culture of excellence, we deliver exceptional customer care, driving overall business success. I firmly believe in maximizing returns by optimizing outcomes and leveraging available resources, a mindset that extends to my social work. Taking ownership and upholding high standards define my values, which I consistently embody in my work while expecting the same level of commitment from my teams.

Tell us about the various responsibilities you shoulder as the Director of the firm.

As the Director and HR Partner, I am responsible for overseeing various aspects of our organization, including business operations, people management, public relations, and digital marketing. Additionally, I have the privilege of chairing the Rooney Marlee Welfare Trust, our social vertical. These roles encompass a wide range of responsibilities, from making strategic decisions and planning business expansions to managing our brand, implementing corporate social responsibility initiatives, and embodying a visionary mindset.

Tell us about the top milestones you have achieved professionally over the years. What is your success mantra as a business leader?

I measure my success by the career growth of my teams, as I have guided numerous individuals to achieve significant milestones. Our structured social cause efforts have had a meaningful impact on underprivileged groups and street pets. I consistently exceed expectations in business and functional growth, leading to impressive revenue growth and increased business volume. Prioritizing cultural assimilation and developing future leaders, I leverage my strong organizational skills to navigate new opportunities and expansions.My ultimate vision is to establish self-sustaining leaders and frameworks that can thrive independently as I embark on new ventures.I also believe that there are no shortcuts and no limits to what you can achieve, you shouldbelieve in yourself before you can expect others to believe in you.

What role has your Alma Mater XLRI Jamshedpur played in shaping you as a business leader?

During my time at XLRI Jamshedpur, I had the opportunity to explore different functional roles and consider potential shifts. Pursuing the PGHRM program provided me with valuable technical knowledge. Additionally, the networking opportunities at XLRI allowed me to connect with professionals from diverse industries, outside the BPO sector. The exposure and learnings from these interactions have proven valuable in my own home business.

Fabiola Mendes E Rodrigues, Director & Human Resource Partner, Bennet And Bernard

With a diverse corporate background at renowned Fortune 500 companies like General Electric and Amazon, and now an entrepreneur in a diverse business at Bennet & Bernard, Fabiola brings extensive experience in compliance, quality, training, and entrepreneurship. Her belief in the power of change drives her to embrace transformative journeys and make a significant impact in her role.