Education
Maria Das Graçasholds a Bachelor degree in chemical engineering from the Fluminense Federal University, and a Master degree in nuclear engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. In 1999, she also earned an MBA in economics from the Getulio Vargas Foundation.
Career: Graca Foster started her career at Petrobras as an intern, and grew quickly throught the ranks to the highest executive positions. In 1981, she was hired as a chemical engineer. Few years later she was appointed to management positions at the Petrobras Gas and Energy Business Unit and at the Leopoldo Miguez de Mello Research and Development Center, and the Transportadora Brasileira do Gasoduto Bolivia-Brasil.
In January 2003, Foster was elected to serve as the Secretary of Oil, Natural Gas, and Renewable Fuels at the Brasilian Ministry of Mines and Energy. At the same time, she became a President and Director of Investor Relations at Petrobras Quimica SA and an Executive Manager of Petrochemicals and Fertilizers.
In 2006, Foster was appointed as a President and CFO of Petrobras Distribuidora SA. A year later, she was named as a member and officer of the Executive Board and Gas and Energy Department at Petrobras.
On the 9th of February 2012, Gracas Foster was elected as a CEO of the Group.
Career
Graca Foster started her career at Petrobras as an intern, and grew quickly throught the ranks to the highest executive positions. In 1981, she was hired as a chemical engineer. Few years later she was appointed to management positions at the Petrobras Gas and Energy Business Unit and at the Leopoldo Miguez de Mello Research and Development Center, and the Transportadora Brasileira do Gasoduto Bolivia-Brasil.
In January 2003, Foster was elected to serve as the Secretary of Oil, Natural Gas, and Renewable Fuels at the Brasilian Ministry of Mines and Energy. At the same time, she became a President and Director of Investor Relations at Petrobras Quimica SA and an Executive Manager of Petrochemicals and Fertilizers.
In 2006, Foster was appointed as a President and CFO of Petrobras Distribuidora SA. A year later, she was named as a member and officer of the Executive Board and Gas and Energy Department at Petrobras.
On the 9th of February 2012, Gracas Foster was elected as a CEO of the Group.
Anecdotes
Maria Das Gracas Foster grew up in a favela and became the only woman to lead one of the 15 world-largest energy companies. In her home country, this self-made woman earned a nickname « the Iron Lady of Oil ». One of her closest friends is a president of the Republic of Brasil, Dilma Roussef.
