I’m a Portuguese economist with solid experience in financial and management consulting, with a strong track record in EU-funded projects, tourism, innovation, R&D and urban rehabilitation. I help organizations transform ideas into sustainable, financed and impactful projects. Previously I founded and led an events company and managed international academic conferences, bringing an entrepreneurial vision and strong organizational skills to diverse contexts. I’m multilingual (English, French, Spanish and Japanese) and have a keen interest in Politics, Law and Public Governance. I’m currently taking a structured career pause to reassess my professional direction and explore new pathways, while consolidating transferable skills and preparing for a transition aligned with long-term goals. I’m open to collaboration on strategy, innovation and investment projects as a Freelance Consultant.

Cátia dos Santos Abreu

I’m a Portuguese economist with solid experience in financial and management consulting, with a strong track record in EU-funded projects, tourism, innovation, R&D and urban rehabilitation. I help organizations transform ideas into sustainable, financed and impactful projects. Previously I founded and led an events company and managed international academic conferences, bringing an entrepreneurial vision and strong organizational skills to diverse contexts. I’m multilingual (English, French, Spanish and Japanese) and have a keen interest in Politics, Law and Public Governance. I’m currently taking a structured career pause to reassess my professional direction and explore new pathways, while consolidating transferable skills and preparing for a transition aligned with long-term goals. I’m open to collaboration on strategy, innovation and investment projects as a Freelance Consultant.

Available to hire

I’m a Portuguese economist with solid experience in financial and management consulting, with a strong track record in EU-funded projects, tourism, innovation, R&D and urban rehabilitation. I help organizations transform ideas into sustainable, financed and impactful projects. Previously I founded and led an events company and managed international academic conferences, bringing an entrepreneurial vision and strong organizational skills to diverse contexts.

I’m multilingual (English, French, Spanish and Japanese) and have a keen interest in Politics, Law and Public Governance. I’m currently taking a structured career pause to reassess my professional direction and explore new pathways, while consolidating transferable skills and preparing for a transition aligned with long-term goals. I’m open to collaboration on strategy, innovation and investment projects as a Freelance Consultant.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Advanced
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate
Japanese
Beginner

Work Experience

Professional Transition Period
January 1, 2025 - Present
Structured career transition period focused on reassessing professional direction and exploring new opportunities; currently not employed.
Area Manager - DNI Consulting Unit at DNI, Lda
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2025
Operational management of Consulting Unit (Tourism, R&D, and Business Innovation areas). Responsibilities include team management, systematic monitoring of results, measurement of efficiency vs. objectives, analysis of deviations and proposing solutions, plus coordination with management on strategic planning and budget definition. Also involved in financial and technical analysis and diagnosis of investment projects and development of Business Plans.
Senior Technical Consultant - Investment Incentives at Inova+ Innovation Services S.A.
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
Technical consultancy specialized in Innovation and R&D, working on identification, preparation, monitoring and management of national and European funded projects, including maximizing incentives and support in the preparation of technical reports.
Technical and Financial Consultant - Investment Incentives at Yunit Consulting, Lda
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2021
Financial and technical analysis and diagnosis of investment projects in tourism and urban rehabilitation. Development of Business Plans to secure funding from IAPMEI, AICEP, COMPETE, Turismo de Portugal, IFRRU 2020 (Urban Rehabilitation) or Credit Institutions. Development and management of EU funds applications. Financial and management consulting in Tourism.
Financial Junior Consultant - Investment Incentives at F. INICIATIVAS, Lda, FI Group Portugal
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2015
Financial and technical analysis and diagnosis of Internationalization, Innovation and R&D projects. Development and management of EU funds applications. Financial and management consulting.
Internship - Financial Consultant at F. INICIATIVAS, Lda, FI Group
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
Financial and technical analysis and management of EU funds applications; initial exposure to the field.
B2B Call-center Operator at Páginas Verdes - Edições e Publicidade Escrita, Lda
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2012
Team leader of 6 employees; supervised calls and client outreach.
Teacher at Cabecinhas Pensadoras - Centro de Estudos
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012
Mathematics, English and French teaching at college and high school levels.
Local Chief Coordinator - Census 2011 at INE – National Institute of Statistics
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
Team leader of 69 employees: recruitment, selection and training; technical assistance to field work; administrative procedures related to hiring, management and payment of staff.
Founder & Manager at Freeminds – Produção de Eventos
January 1, 2005 - Present
Project management of artistic, musical, cultural, fashion events, among others.

Education

Postgraduate Degree in Management at FEP-UP, Porto (PT) / KEDGE Business School, Marseille (FR)
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2014
Bachelor Degree in Economics at Aveiro University
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2010

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Travel & Hospitality, Financial Services, Professional Services, Government