Viviana Silva is a Digital Program Manager at DSM-Firmenich, where she focuses on embedding sustainability into manufacturing, leveraging her expertise in process improvement and strategic innovation. Her career has been marked by a commitment to fostering sustainable practices and driving digital transformation in the manufacturing sector.
In parallel, she leads the Competence Center "Agrifood, Forestry, Fisheries & Aquaculture" at the Portuguese Diaspora Council, where she fosters networking and strategic partnerships, contributing to global business development while promoting environmental stewardship and enhancing the resilience and efficiency of the agrifood sector.
Previously, she was Regional Leader of “Smart Manufacturing” at Cargill Agricultural Supply Chain EMEA, a position she held from March 2022. Before that, she spent over 10 years at BASF (Germany), holding roles in innovation across Central Research, Global Technology for Agricultural Solutions, Smart Manufacturing, and Corporate Sustainability.
She was also a Research Leader at the University of Porto in the area of biorefineries, and Business Unit Leader at Fluidinova S.A., in the field of nanomaterials. She has lectured at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança and served as an evaluator for European FP7 projects for the European Commission.
Viviana holds a degree and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, as well as a postgraduate degree in Business Management from Porto Business School.
Throughout her career, she has received multiple awards, including 1st place in the IChemE Award for Innovation & Excellence in “Sustainable Technology” (2008). She is the author of 5 patents, over 50 scientific articles, and around 40 oral presentations.
Since 2021, she has served as President of ASPPA e.V. (Association of Portuguese Postgraduates in Germany), an independent, non-profit organization founded in 2012, dedicated to representing, promoting, and defending the interests of Portuguese graduates residing in Germany.