Mafalda Chambel is a Portugal-based, highly motivated, and result-oriented Qualitester with a passion for helping others.
Mafalda is also a human rights activist who believes in creating a more just and equitable world. She currently works as the head of the project management office for one of our key clients in the technology industry. In this role, Mafalda helps teams deliver projects on time and within budget. She’s also a mentor and coach who enjoys helping others reach their full potential.
Mafalda’s area of expertise lies in software development and project management. With over 11 years of experience in the tech industry, she boasts a proven track record of successfully leading teams and delivering projects within the stipulated timeframes and budgets. Mafalda holds certifications as a Scrum Product Owner, Microsoft Technology Associate, and Coach.
Her professional journey began as a Microbiology Analyst, but Mafalda’s passion for the tech industry eventually led her to make a pivotal decision. She returned to school to acquire expertise in programming languages. After a stint as an analyst programmer, she transitioned into project management. Since then, she has successfully overseen teams of software developers and QA engineers on a diverse array of projects.
Mafalda’s fascination with computers began at a young age. As a child, she played games on her MS-DOS computer, including classics like Prince of Persia, Flight Simulator, and quiz games. This early exposure sparked her dream of working with computers.
During high school, she developed a passion for science, which initially led her to pursue a path in Microbiology. However, her interest in computers always lingered in the background.
Her transition into the tech industry began while she worked as an organizational analyst, where she reviewed processes for a company aiming for ISO 9001 certification. During this time, she discovered opportunities to automate many of the company’s processes, which would save time for the commercial agents. This experience motivated her to study and collaborate with the software development team to bring these process improvements to life. Eventually, she became an analyst programmer herself.
“Creating tools that drive change is one of my key motivations and what inspired me to enter the world of technology,” says Mafalda.
Mafalda reflects on her Qualitest journey, stating, “I was hired as Team Lead, tasked with coordinating confidential projects that required translation, linguistic, and technical expertise for a client in the tech industry. By the end of 2020, I was invited to establish the Project Management Office department for that very same client in Portugal. Within three months, my role expanded to a global scale, encompassing all regions where our services were provided for the client.”
Since then, Mafalda has assumed a leadership role. She leads a diverse team of PMOs situated in different regions, and her primary focus revolves around coordinating complex global alignment efforts for the program. Simultaneously, she has been an active advocate for Diversity and Inclusion, dedicating her time to volunteer in various regional initiatives. This involvement has entailed close collaboration with the P&T (People and Talent) team to drive positive changes within the context of Portugal.
Mafalda serves as one of several mentors in Qualitest’s Mentorship Program.
She breaks down the Mentorship Program for us. “This program is very similar to a coaching program. It begins with an initial introductory session. Followed by three sessions dedicated to specific goals tailored to the needs of the mentee.”
Mafalda emphasizes her focus on creating a professional development plan for the mentee during these sessions. The program ends with a final closing session where the mentor and mentee reflect upon the lessons learned during the mentoring sessions. She explains that the difference between mentoring and coaching is that in coaching, the coach gives less direct advice than in mentoring. “How the sessions ultimately go depends on the mentor and how well they get along with the mentee.”
Mafalda gives us a brief overview of how the program was structured:
In the introduction phase, Mafalda got acquainted with her mentee and established a friendly rapport. She then delved into the mentee’s professional challenges. Together they determined the topics they would explore and discuss, which included:
Mafalda introduced motivational and personal development exercises to help her mentee delve deeper into the subject matter. They exchanged experiences and deliberated on various approaches tailored to different scenarios.
Throughout the program, Mafalda and her mentee stayed in touch via email, continuously sharing the progress of their exercises and experiences. She recommends establishing a rapport with the mentee right from the start, as it contributes to a smoother program where there’s mutual learning.
Mafalda sees mentoring as an opportunity to give back to the community and assist others in their journey to success. “For me, mentoring is a rewarding experience that also contributes to my own learning and growth.”
Furthermore, she values the chance to share her knowledge and experience with others, recognizing that this support can significantly contribute to their career development. Through mentoring, she has built valuable relationships with fellow professionals, emphasizing the importance of these connections for networking, and advancing one’s career.
Mafalda is a firm believer that mentoring is a two-way street. “I am always open to learning from my mentees as they bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table.”
Above all, Mafalda derives immense satisfaction from seeing someone succeed. “Witnessing my mentees achieve their goals is profoundly rewarding. I feel a deep sense of fulfillment in knowing that I have played a small but significant role in their accomplishments.”
In her spare time, Mafalda is a competitive padel player and volunteers at the Social Grocery Store, which is affiliated with the Food Bank project. In this role, she and her team provide financial and social support to families facing difficulties.
Mafalda has a long history as a human rights activist and has previously coordinated an LGBT support group for youth within the nonprofit organization, rede ex aequo. She served as the chair of the PRIDE LGBT+ Network at BNP Paribas in Portugal, her previous company before joining Qualitest. Additionally, she has been a mentor in the European Union project known as “U Can,” where she supports a young scholarship student facing challenging social circumstances.
She also enjoys playing the ukulele, unwinding at the beach, reading poetry, and traveling.
At Qualitest, we believe in providing our employees with ample opportunities to enhance their skills, learn new technologies, and take on challenging projects that push their boundaries. #BeMoreAtQualitest and unlock your full potential. Interested in working with us? Join a team of world-class experts in quality engineering right here at Qualitest.
