Thais Cavinatto:
Leading with Strategy, Discipline and Heart
Thais Cavinatto, the newly appointed Country Director of Zambian Breweries (ZB), a subsidiary of the global giant AB InBev, is a woman on a mission. From her roots in São Paulo, Brazil, to her current role leading one of Zambia’s most significant companies, Thais’ journey has been defined by hard work, dedication, and a passion for people. As she steps into this role, she brings a wealth of experience, a collaborative leadership style, and a personal commitment to making an impact.
Thais was born into a family that believed in hard work, passion for new experiences and equality. She praises her parents for instilling in her the mindset that success is built through effort and perseverance. Her father, a paediatrician, worked tirelessly to build one of the top medical practices in Brazil. He studied hard to earn a place in the best universities and hospitals in the country. Thais grew up watching him dedicate himself to his career. Her mother played a crucial role in shaping the family’s values, teaching Thais the importance of treating people well and living with integrity.
As the youngest of three children, Thais was raised alongside two brothers. She feels fortunate to have grown up in an environment where gender was never a barrier. She received the same opportunities and privileges as her brothers, fostering a sense of equality early on. This parity built her confidence and inspired her ambition. Whether in academics or sports, she was always encouraged to compete on an equal footing.
“Sports taught me discipline, long-term planning, teamwork, and collaboration—from practising multiple times daily to training for months,” Thais explains. These lessons became the building blocks of her leadership approach, emphasising the importance of working together, bit by bit everyday, towards a common goal.
If people are clear on why they’re doing something, they’ll be self-motivated to deliver without being pushed.
— Thais Cavinatto,
Zambian Breweries, Country Director
Before entering the world of beer, Thais worked as an investment banker at one of the most prestigious banks in the world, Goldman Sachs. This role initially appealed to her love for mathematics and finance. However, she soon discovered that she derived more joy from the strategic aspect of finance than from the numbers themselves; she yearned for the practical, hands-on business world.
Her search for a more dynamic role led her to AB InBev, where she completed a summer internship after her MBA at the University of Chicago. The company’s meritocratic culture and mission to create “a future with more cheers” resonated deeply with her, where “people are willing to do their best to achieve results, driven by winning together.” After her internship, there was no looking back as she made a much desired decision to stay in the business, determined to grow her career. Over the years, she held various roles across Brazil and the United States, gaining valuable experience and developing a deep understanding of the global beer industry.
In January 2024, Thais embarked on her latest and most exciting challenge: leading ZB as its new Country Director. She describes Zambia as a career highlight of her first role as a Country Director. “Zambia chose me,” she smiles, viewing this role as a chance to make a meaningful impact, both professionally and personally.
Thais joins ZB at a pivotal moment. Like many other businesses operating in this economic climate, ZB has faced several challenges recently, from currency devaluation and a severe drought to an energy crisis that has significantly disrupted production and the company’s bottom line. Despite these obstacles, under Thais’ leadership, ZB has already delivered double-digit growth in the first half of 2024, and she is committed to steering the company back to profitability.
One of her primary goals is to strengthen relationships with local farmers and enhance the resilience of the company’s supply chain in the face of climate change challenges, particularly the current drought. Local farmers are struggling to meet the demand for key ingredients like cassava—which is vital for brewing popular beverages such as the Eagle and Mosi brands. To ensure a stable supply chain, ZB has launched the BankU initiative. This digital payment platform facilitates quick, secure and fair payments to over 2,000 smallholder farmers, fostering stronger community ties. Additionally, ZB is investing in transportation improvements to help farmers consolidate their produce and enhance efficiency.
In Zambia, illicit alcohol, especially low-cost, high-ABV spirits known locally as junta, accounts for 70% of total alcohol consumption and poses significant risks. Thais is committed to addressing this issue directly. “Illicit alcohol is harmful to everyone—governments, retailers, and consumers—but most importantly, it is devastating to those whose health is being adversely affected because of them,” she explains.
In response, ZB has launched Eagle Extra, an affordable beer that offers a safer, more moderate alternative while upholding high standards of quality and safety. Priced at K10; Eagle Extra is part of ZB’s broader strategy to provide accessible, affordable, and safe alternatives that promote responsible consumption and the overall well-being of the consumer.
Thais describes her leadership style as one rooted in collaboration and purpose—the ‘why’ and not the ‘what’. She believes in setting clear goals and working together with her team to achieve them. “If people are clear on why they’re doing something, they’ll be self-motivated to deliver without being pushed,” she says. This approach has helped her inspire and motivate her team to rally behind the company’s mission of bringing more cheers to the Zambian people.
Mentorship has been another critical component of Thais’ success. She believes mentorship can come from many different places and doesn’t have to be formal. “Mentors can be found everywhere—in my team, my family, and among other leaders.” One of the most valuable pieces of advice she received was from her father: “Always have a clear objective and focus on the long term, but enjoy the journey,” she reflects.
Be focused and result-oriented, but don’t stress.
— Thais Cavinatto,
Zambian Breweries, Country Director.
To maintain balance in her life, Thais relies on a strong support system that includes her husband and her beloved dog, both of whom have joined her in Zambia, along with her family and friends back home. She also prioritises a regular exercise routine, which she believes helps her stay grounded and positive. Her favourite sport is running, and she is proud to run marathons accompanied by her 72-year-old father. Thais’ advice to her younger self is to appreciate the importance of building strong relationships and always leaving a legacy behind everywhere she goes. “Be focused and result-oriented, but don’t stress; if you work hard and do the right things —it will all work out,” she says. Most importantly, remember to enjoy the journey”.
Brain and Brawn:
Thais’ commitment to excellence was further honed through sports. Throughout her childhood, she was involved in competitive sports, from platform diving to running marathons, which she credits for teaching her some fundamental values that would later shape her professional life.
Day in the Life of an MD:
Living in Lusaka, Thais is enjoying the slower pace of life compared to the fast-paced concrete jungle of her previous residence in New York. She finds solace in the simplicity of her new surroundings. Her Saturday routine starts with an early morning run with her running group, followed by a leisurely breakfast and coffee with her husband. She enjoys visiting local spots like Sugar Bush Farm and Gallery 37D and winds down by picking flowers for her home to set a relaxing tone for the weekend.
A Ferocious Reader:
Thais always has more than one book on her reading list. Recently, she finished Reflections on the Lake by Victoria Findlay. This book resonated with her deeply as it paralleled her journey of moving from a bustling metropolis to a slower, more relaxed pace of life in Zambia. She has also enjoyed My Life in Full by Indra Nooyi, the autobiography of the former CEO of PEPSICO, which she found inspiring as a fellow female leader in a global corporation.
Zambian Hospitality:
When asked what her favourite thing about Zambia is, Thais smiles and responds, “The people.” She describes Zambians as the friendliest, happiest people she has ever met, always willing to go out of their way to help and make you comfortable.
