The 2021 trainee program at Magazine Luiza restricted applications to black candidates, a policy decision that triggered public backlash while marking a significant pivot in corporate hiring practices under the guidance of Luiza Trajano. This initiative underscored her commitment to addressing systemic inequality within the Brazilian business landscape through direct, internal structural changes.
Early Career and Corporate Growth
Born in 1948 in Franca, Brazil, Luiza Helena Trajano Inácio Rodrigues followed a path into the family retail enterprise. She earned a law degree from the Faculdade de Direito de Franca in 1972. During her tenure at the firm, she navigated multiple departments, including sales and management. By 1991, she assumed the role of director-superintendent. Under her chairpersonship, the retailer expanded into a national operation with over 1,000 stores across 18 states, maintaining a workforce of 27,000 and serving 18 million customers.
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In 2013, Trajano co-founded the non-governmental organisation Grupo Mulheres do Brasil, which now includes 48,000 participants across 14 countries. Following the 2017 murder of a Magazine Luiza store manager, she instituted internal protocols to combat domestic violence. These measures included a dedicated support hotline, psychological counseling, and legal assistance for employees. Furthermore, the company mandated that outsourced labor providers dedicate 2% of their hiring to victims of domestic abuse to facilitate financial independence.
Public Profile and Political Engagement
Trajano has frequently engaged with the broader political climate in Brazil. During the 2018 presidential election, she hosted a series of Q&A sessions for candidates. Jair Bolsonaro did not participate, later publicly questioning her identity on social media following the exclusion. Despite such tensions, Trajano maintains advisory roles with organizations including UNICEF Brazil and UNFPA Brazil. Her influence was acknowledged in 2021 when she was named to the Time 100 list.
Affirmative Action Controversies
In September 2020, Magazine Luiza launched a trainee initiative exclusively for black candidates, removing standard prerequisites like English proficiency and prior work experience. The move drew criticism from government officials who threatened legal action based on allegations of racism. Trajano defended the program, arguing that previous color-blind recruitment strategies had failed to foster necessary diversity in leadership roles. She emphasized that the project was intended to reform the internal culture of her company rather than resolve the entirety of Brazil's racial inequality.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Franca, Brazil
- Education: Faculdade de Direito de Franca
- Company: Magazine Luiza
- Awards: Time 100 (2021)
- Organization: Grupo Mulheres do Brasil
- Citizenship: Brazil
Questions readers ask
What is Luiza Trajano's role at Magazine Luiza?
She serves as the chair of the retailer, having previously held the position of director-superintendent.
Why did Magazine Luiza restrict its 2021 trainee program?
The program was restricted to black candidates as a deliberate effort to address systemic racial inequality and improve diversity within the company's leadership.
Achievements
- Time 100 — 2021
- Educated at Faculdade de Direito de Franca
