Turning Legal Complexity Into Clear Solutions Across Latin America

Meet Ana Elisa Berardo, Legal Counsel Associate

Good legal counsel isn't just about identifying risk, according to Ana Elisa Berardo, Legal Counsel Associate for Pebl. It’s about looking beyond the problem to what’s legally possible.

“I enjoy finding practical legal solutions that enable the business to move forward while managing risk,” Berardo said. “It's especially rewarding to help teams navigate complex employment and regulatory issues across LATAM and turn legal challenges into clear, actionable guidance.”

Based in São Paulo, Brazil, Berardo has spent the past three and a half years on Pebl's Latin America Legal team. She joined to support Brazil, but her role has since expanded across 11 countries in the region where Pebl has entities.

That growth is exactly what Berardo was looking for when she came to Pebl.

From litigation to litigation prevention

Before joining Pebl, Berardo spent much of her career in Brazilian law firms specializing in labor litigation. The work taught her how to manage the consequences of employment disputes, but she wanted an opportunity to broaden her experience and help prevent those problems in the first place.

“I have always wanted to expand my horizons professionally, so the opportunity at Pebl fit like a glove,” she said. “I could use all my professional expertise dealing with consequences to support a global company with prevention.”

Berardo was initially hired to handle Brazil, with much of her work focused on internal consultations. As her knowledge of employment law across the region grew, so did her responsibilities.

Today, she handles legal matters across 11 Latin American countries, working with teams throughout Pebl to navigate employment and regulatory requirements.

“As Legal Counsel, I help create a strong legal foundation that allows Pebl to support its customers with confidence,” Berardo said. “By ensuring compliance and providing practical legal advice, I help the business expand while protecting both the company and its clients.”

Stepping up for the entire LATAM region

One of Berardo's biggest opportunities to put that experience into practice came at the beginning of 2026, when her manager began a five-month maternity leave. Berardo stepped in to oversee legal matters across Latin America.

“It was very challenging, but I am proud of how I handled the region during this period,” she said. “Managing an entire region was new to me and has definitely been my proudest accomplishment.”

She is quick to point out that she didn't do it alone.

“I had a lot of help, of course, and could not have done it without the support of many people here at Pebl,” Berardo said.

The experience reflects the advice she gives anyone looking to build a career at Pebl: Be open to change.

“Pebl is a fast-changing, fast-paced company, and the teams are constantly working to improve our processes and the services we provide to our clients,” she said. “This is only possible because we have an open-minded team that is willing to implement the changes that need to be made.”

A team built on trust

For Berardo, strong working relationships start with trust. She values being able to rely on her colleagues’ judgment, exchange ideas openly and work through complex legal questions together.

“It's a true partnership where there's always space to bounce ideas around, learn from each other and have each other's backs,” Berardo said.

That sense of trust extends across Pebl. For Berardo, belonging means knowing her perspective matters, regardless of where her colleagues are based.

“It means feeling trusted and knowing that my perspective is valued,” she said. “It means being part of a company where people are approachable, collaboration comes naturally and everyone is working toward the same goal, even across different teams and countries.”

It's also why her answer is simple when asked what she loves most about Pebl: the people.

“Everyone is genuinely collaborative, approachable and committed to finding solutions together,” Berardo said.

From medicine to law

Berardo's path to a legal career wasn't a straight one. Before law school, she spent three years studying medicine.

“At first I thought I wanted to be a pediatrician, then a psychiatrist, and then not a doctor at all,” she said.

She eventually left medicine for law, but the knowledge she gained followed her into her new career. While working in labor litigation, Berardo handled cases involving work-related illnesses and accidents, where her medical background proved unexpectedly useful.

Outside of work, she channels her curiosity into an eclectic mix of creative projects and sports.

“I like to dabble in DIY projects and handmade art,” she said. “I've played around with coloring, ceramics, resin art and different types of knitting, and I've done many transformations in my apartment.”

When she's not making something, there's a good chance she's watching a game.

“I'll watch and learn the rules of pretty much anything, from badminton to curling to ice hockey to volleyball to tennis to football,” Berardo said. “So my TV is usually on a sports channel.”

Pebl in one emoji

When asked to sum up Pebl's culture in one emoji, Berardo chose one that reflects what she values most about working here: 🤝