Interview: Certifee Consultants Meeting

Willian

Valesca, Certifee’s consultants meeting in December, in Porto Alegre, was significant. To begin, what was the main objective of the meeting?

Valesca

The main objective was to strengthen what I consider Certifee’s greatest asset: our team. More than presenting numbers or strategies, we wanted to create connection, align purpose and reinforce our culture. The goal is to grow together, but to grow on a solid foundation: human, professional and financial. This meeting was about remembering who we are, why we exist and how each person is a fundamental part of this construction.

Willian

The agenda included many connection dynamics and personal reflections. Why is this so important for Certifee?

Valesca

Because culture is not sustained only by processes. It is sustained by people. When we talk about excellence in food safety, we are talking about real responsibility toward society. That requires technical competence, but also awareness, empathy and alignment of values. The dynamics were designed to build proximity, trust and belonging. A connected team delivers more, and delivers better.

Willian

One of the strongest points of the meeting was the 2025 retrospective. How do you assess this year for Certifee?

Valesca

2025 was a year of consolidation and acceleration. We had growth of more than 108% in 2025 in the number of clients in our portfolio. But the data point that makes me most proud is retention: many clients returned. This shows that we did not grow only in volume. We grew in trust. Our greatest result was not a number. It was the team that sustained this growth.

Willian

You emphasized that “growth is not luck.” Can you explain this view?

Valesca

Of course. Certifee’s growth is the result of consistent decisions, more mature processes and strategic clarity. The chart we presented shows this clearly: year after year, the curve becomes steeper. This means that today we grow faster because we are more organized, more aware of our role and supported by a model that works.

Willian

Culture appeared as one of the major pillars of the meeting. How do you define Certifee’s culture?

Valesca

Our culture is based on three inseparable pillars: human, professional and financial. We believe in excellence with responsibility, freedom with discipline and sustainable growth. Each consultant, when in the field or with a client, does not represent only herself. She represents Certifee. That is why we talk so much about clear communication, ethical posture, sense of urgency and high performance.

Willian

There was also a lot of discussion about the future, especially 2026. What is ahead?

Valesca

We are officially entering a scale-up stage. Our focus is to operate well and scale with discipline. We have ambitious goals, such as 100% growth, but they are fully supported by processes, clear indicators and a robust portfolio. We are also investing strongly in consultant development, innovation, sustainability and the ethical use of artificial intelligence as support for decision-making.

Willian

A strong warning was given about AI and the role of the consultant. What is the main message?

Valesca

The message is clear: AI without ethics is not innovation. It is risk. Technology will automate tasks, analyses and reports, but it does not replace technical responsibility, risk interpretation or ethical decision-making. The consultant of the future is not a checklist executor. She is an orchestrator of decisions. And that is human.

Willian

To close, what feeling do you take from this meeting in Porto Alegre?

Valesca

Gratitude and pride. Gratitude for seeing such a committed, technical and human team. Pride because what we have built so far is not common. This meeting reinforced that we are ready for the next level. Growing together, with courage, clarity and responsibility. Certifee is not just a company. It is a collective project with real impact in the world.