Inspirational Story: Maria Eugênia Souza - Finding Connection and Empowerment

Maria Souza, Co-President, PWN Dublin

Maria Eugênia Souza is an award-winning Head of Human Experiences & Innovation at the Future of Work Institute, part of the Cpl Group. Maria’s background is a rich blend of cultures, having grown up in Portugal, studied in Brazil, and later made Ireland her home. Today, she lives in Dublin with her husband and their 4-year-old daughter.

Maria's career is driven by a passion for ensuring that employer brands reflect a company's true essence. Using her HR expertise and psychological insight, she crafts authentic employee experiences that align with the company's identity. As she puts it, 'If a company promotes itself as a delicious cupcake, it needs to make sure that when new employees take a bite, they don't end up with a dry muffin!’

"Authenticity isn't just about what you promise; it's about what you deliver every day. When companies align their brand with their actions, they build a workplace that resonates with the right talent."

After completing an MBA in HR Management in Brazil, Maria returned to Portugal during a time of economic crisis. Despite her new earnt education and enthusiasm, she could only find work as a bartender on minimum wage. Determined to find a better path, she moved to Ireland to improve her English, hoping to boost her career prospects. However, a chance meeting with a Hungarian man, now her husband, soon changed her plans.

"Sometimes, Plan B turns out to be the best plan after all. Embracing unexpected opportunities can lead to paths you never imagined."

Maria decided to stay in Ireland, even though transitioning her career to Europe proved challenging. Undeterred, she pursued a European-recognised qualification with CIPD, which opened doors for her in the HR field. Her background in psychology became a valuable asset as she shifted her focus to employer branding and talent acquisition.

After giving birth to her daughter in 2020, Maria returned to work but found the transition difficult. She eventually embraced a fully remote consultancy role at the Future of Work Institute, where she can combine her passions with the flexibility of working from home.

The Challenges of Balancing Motherhood and Work

Returning to work after maternity leave is a challenge that many women have to face. For Maria, this period was especially difficult, compounded by the pandemic and the fact that she was away from home. One of her biggest struggles was finding childcare, but fortunately, her mother-in-law moved from Hungary to help. This arrangement allowed Maria to work from home with the peace of mind that her daughter was in good hands.

"As a mother, you wear many hats, but the most important one is knowing when to ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness, but a strategy for balance."

Yet, while remote work brought flexibility, it also brought loneliness. Maria craved a community where she could share her experiences and challenges with others in similar situations.

Finding Her Tribe: PWN Dublin

Maria Eugênia SouzaMaria explored various networking groups but often found them impersonal and anxiety-inducing. To make the experience more enjoyable, she decided to gamify her approach by creating the "3x3 Challenge." This personal mission involved making meaningful connections at every event by aiming to connect with at least three people and add three distinct values to their lives—whether through recommending a book, suggesting a podcast, or introducing them to valuable contacts. Despite her best efforts, she still felt a void—a need for deeper, more lasting connections.

That is, until she discovered PWN Dublin, where she finally found a community that resonated with her values and fostered those deeper connections she sought.

Attending her first PWN Dublin event, Maria immediately noticed something different. The members were warm, open, and genuinely curious about each other’s experiences. She felt welcomed and, for the first time, found herself among like-minded international professionals, including other working mothers navigating similar challenges.

Maria’s company supported her decision to join as a Premium Member, and she quickly became active in the network. One of the things she values most about PWN Dublin is its global reach. As a remote worker, Maria can join events wherever she is, and she recently took advantage of this by attending PWN Lisbon events while working from Portugal.

The Power of Mentoring

Maria also participated in PWN Dublin’s Group Mentoring Programme, which she describes as transformative. In her first year, the mentor provided valuable content and guidance. The second time around, she found herself in a group where the mentor created a safe space for participants to share their thoughts and experiences. 

“The validation I received from the group, especially seeing others be vulnerable, was empowering. It made me realise I wasn’t alone, and it gave me the confidence to share and add value to the conversations.”

For Maria, PWN Dublin provided more than just networking—it felt like finding a home in a supportive community.

This year, Maria was invited to be a mentor herself, and she is excited to give back by helping others navigate their own journeys.

Passion Project: Humans of Dublin

Maria and her husband co-founded "Humans of Dublin," a social media project dedicated to capturing and sharing the diverse stories of Dublin’s residents. Through powerful real-life storytelling, they have raised awareness about various social issues and the richness of the city's culture. Over the past decade, "Humans of Dublin" has become a well-known cultural project, resulting in multiple high-end exhibitions, the publication of a book, and partnerships with many of Ireland’s leading organisations.

Currently, they are collaborating with the Guinness Storehouse to redesign the visitor experience. This collaboration includes portraits and interviews highlighting the "Black Thread" in the historic Liberties area, which connects the Guinness family to the Dublin 8 community. The project showcases the deep ties between this iconic brand and the local residents, emphasizing the longstanding relationship between Guinness and the community it has been a part of for generations. 

“Humans of Dublin shares a mission closely aligned with PWN Dublin—cultivating empathy, fostering connections, and ultimately contributing to a better, more connected world.”

Published: November 2024
Author: Rebecca Fountain, PWN Dublin