We recently had the opportunity to engage in an insightful conversation with Ana Carolina Mason, a seasoned HR leader with over 18 years of global experience across sectors. Currently, she leads the HR in the UAE, supporting a workforce of more than 700 across diverse functions, spanning from manufacturing to corporate, in the FMCG sector.
Additionally, Ana Carolina Mason is a certified professional coach, offering training & coaching sessions, and workshops focused on communication, personal branding, and leadership development.
The Beginning
We started the interview by asking, “Could you start by telling us about your professional journey and inspiration behind jumping into this industry?”
Ana shared, “My professional journey has always been guided by people and it has always been in Human Resources. I am an HR professional with international experience across FMCG, Automotive, and Manufacturing sectors in Latin America and the Middle East.
My career began in Brazil, where I worked across a diverse range of companies and industries. One of the highlights was having the opportunity to participate in the startup of one of the first premium automotive factories in Latin America. Being involved in building something from the ground up by establishing structures, teams, and culture rooted in core HR principles showed me how powerful people and leadership are in shaping organizations.
Over the years, my career took me across industries and countries, eventually bringing me to the Middle East. I have led HR operations for manufacturing sites in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, and today, I work in Dubai, looking after HR function in the UAE operations, within the HR Business Partner capacity for a company in the FMCG sector.”
She added, “What continues to inspire me in HR is the opportunity to shape workplaces where people feel genuinely respected, included, and empowered to grow into their full potential. For me, diversity and inclusion are not just professional priorities — they are personal values that influence how I lead, collaborate, and make decisions every day. Having lived and worked across cultures, I’ve witnessed firsthand how different perspectives enrich conversations, strengthen teams, spark innovation, and ultimately build more agile, human, and successful organizations.
For me, HR is about putting people first while enabling business success. It is about balancing performance with human connection. When people thrive, organizations thrive. This applies to every industry and every type of business. HR exists to support people, create the right environment, and enable individuals and teams to give their best.”
Lessons Embraced in the Journey
Interested to learn more about Ana Carolina Mason’s experience in the industry, we asked, “As a professional in this field, what are a few lessons that helped you in leading your work?”
She mentioned, “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that leadership is built on trust and consistency, not authority. Titles may define roles, but authenticity defines leadership.
People don’t follow titles; they follow clarity, credibility, and genuine intent. While technical expertise is essential, leading people requires empathy, strong communication, and accountability. Knowledge matters, but people leadership requires empathy, communication, and accountability. Organizational structures and culture play a significant role, but ultimately, it is the character and values of the leader that shape the kind of leader they become.”
“Another lesson is that transformation takes time. Whether implementing new structures, systems, or culture initiatives, sustainable results come from discipline, alignment, and continuous improvement, not quick fixes.
I also strongly believe that inclusion is built through daily actions, not policies alone. Creating space for different voices, experiences, and perspectives makes teams stronger and more innovative. It is not created through policies alone, but through daily behaviors, listening, creating space for different perspectives, and ensuring people feel safe to contribute.
Finally, listening remains one of the most powerful leadership tools. The ability to understand before deciding often makes the difference between managing people and truly leading them,” Ana added.
Fresh Starts amid Challenges
We then asked, “Would you like to share what you feel is a major challenge in starting a business or career? And how did you overcome it?”
Ana shared, “I would say the people around you, the company culture, and the uncertainty of starting something new are all challenges when starting a career or building something new. These moments always bring doubts and uncertainty, and sometimes the feeling that you may not be able to do it.
But believing in yourself is essential, believing that you can create impact and drive change. It is also important to read the environment and adjust accordingly, without changing your essence.
Throughout my journey, moving across countries, industries, and cultures required constant adaptation and learning. Many times, I had to step into situations without having all the answers. That can feel uncomfortable, but it is also where growth happens. What helped me was focusing on learning, building relationships, and staying true to my values. Confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything; it comes from trusting your ability to learn and grow.
Challenges still exist, especially when trying to bring new ideas or perspectives forward. With experience, we learn which battles to fight and where to focus our energy. That’s not about giving up, it’s about maturity, resilience, and understanding what we can influence.”
Plans we asked Ana Carolina Mason
Interested to learn her plans with the services that she provides, we asked Ana Carolina Mason to share a bit about it with our viewers.
She explained, “While I continue working in the corporate HR environment, I’ve developed a strong passion for training, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
I have started facilitating some sessions and parallel training projects on my own, focused on communication, personal branding, networking, and career development, topics that help professionals understand how to position themselves, build confidence, and navigate their careers intentionally.
Sometimes it is challenging to balance the daily corporate routine with these initiatives, but building something meaningful requires dedication. In my case, evenings and weekends are when I focus on building something meaningful and aligned with my purpose.
Throughout my corporate experience, I have seen that people are always eager to learn something new and hear different perspectives. Nobody has 100% of the right answers, but different points of view help us grow.
My goal is simple: to help people see their potential and feel more prepared to navigate their careers with confidence and purpose. I am always open to connecting and exploring how I can support others in their development journey.
My long-term vision is to continue building learning spaces where people can develop practical skills that strengthen both their professional identity and their human connections at work. If HR has taught me anything, it’s that careers grow faster when people understand their value, and learn how to communicate it.”
Impact of AI across Sectors
Nowadays, AI is everywhere. Even businesses are adapting to it increasingly. We asked Ana Carolina Mason, “What are your thoughts on this?”
She commented, “AI is transforming how organizations operate, and HR is no exception. We already see applications in recruitment analytics, AI-supported screening tools, employee self-service platforms, learning systems, and chat-based assistants that support HR processes and employee questions. For example, AI can help analyze large volumes of candidate data, support interview preparation, generate learning content, or assist employees with HR policies through virtual assistants.
But even in a technology-driven world, human skills become more important, not less. Empathy, communication, creativity, ethical judgment, and inclusion cannot be automated.
Technology can accelerate processes, but people create culture, trust, and meaning in organizations. The future of work belongs to those who can combine technology with humanity. AI will not replace people who continue learning and adapting, but resisting change can create risk. The key is learning how to work with AI, not against it.”
Message for Aspiring Professionals
Lastly, addressing the beginners, we asked, “What would be your advice to beginners in this field or in any field of business?”
Ana shared, “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle or peak. Everyone’s position is shaped by their own journey, capabilities, and environment. So build your own path. Every career journey is unique.
Be curious, ask questions, and invest in relationships. Networking and collaboration are essential to growth. Be open to opportunities that feel slightly uncomfortable; that’s often where real development happens.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned, particularly in this region, is the value of reliability. Be reliable. Be the professional people can trust, someone who delivers, communicates clearly, and takes ownership.
Most importantly, remember that success is not only about achievements, but about impact. Wherever your career takes you, aim to create environments where people feel respected, included, and valued.
Stay curious and keep learning. Careers are built through consistency, resilience, and continuous development.”
Connect with Ana Carolina Mason on LinkedIn to gain industry insights.
Also Read:-
Fathima Remziya: Driving Business Growth and Sales
About Author
