Rosario Diaz Súnico – Impsa

IMPSA, founded in 1907 in Mendoza, Argentina, began as a small workshop producing cast iron parts and irrigation equipment. Over the decades, it became a global leader in energy solutions, specializing in hydro generation, wind energy, and nuclear technology. Having exported technology, services and goods to over 40 countries, IMPSA’s most significant value is rooted in its technological innovation and the expertise of its engineers.

Rosario Diaz Súnico | Impsa | Corporate Legal Manager

The company’s journey has not been without challenges. From its origins as a family-owned business to being controlled by Argentina’s National Government, IMPSA has weathered financial crises and industry shifts. It is at a turning point today, with new private stakeholders poised to guide its future.

For over a decade, Rosario Díaz Súnico, IMPSA’s corporate legal manager, has been vital in navigating the company through complex legal landscapes and adapting to its evolving needs. Her expertise lies in balancing the rigors of legal compliance with the company’s overarching business objectives, ensuring that IMPSA’s legal strategies align with its ambitions.

Navigating complex legal challenges in Argentina and across borders

Rosario’s recent contributions, during one of the most challenging times IMPSA has faced, have been negotiating and executing contracts with governmental entities and public companies while collaborating in several due diligence processes, restructuring the company’s assets abroad, coordinating with external advisors in Argentina, the US and Europe, gathering critical documentation and streamlining communication between departments, as well as providing expert advice in several matters.

While safeguarding IMPSA’s interests and neutralizing business risks and contingencies, the past few years’ goal of the legal department has been to protect the company’s value for its next chapter, where investment and a new direction can certainly bring the company into a new era of growth.

Rosario also spearheaded the restructuring of IMPSA’s U.S. subsidiary, which is currently in charge of one of the company’s most significant projects. As one of IMPSA’s government contracts, a cornerstone of IMPSA’s international operations, Rosario’s role involved intricate argumentation before American authorities and overhauling the subsidiary’s operational framework.

She managed international arbitrations related to legacy operations in Brazil, a region where IMPSA no longer has active business. Given the company’s restructured debt, these cases presented significant legal and financial implications. Rosario carefully evaluated the cost-benefit of pursuing or settling each dispute, ensuring resources were allocated efficiently. Her decisions reflected the company’s broader economic and operational realities.

“Every choice I make when providing advice is about aligning legal strategy with the company’s broader vision, ensuring growth and stability for the future,” Rosario says.

A key part of the legal team’s work is keeping up with the constant changes in legislation and regulation to ensure the company complies with them and assessing whether such changes can impact the business’s prospects.

“Argentina has one of the oldest hydroelectric matrices in the region, which needs to be rehabilitated in the short term. Under the new government administration, the macroeconomic changes that began in 2024 and the plan to grant competitiveness and transparency to the energy market, added to investment incentives, could provide the clarity and predictability financing entities seek when supporting energy generation projects. Argentina is at a pivotal moment in getting out of the energy deficit and positioning itself as a leading energy supplier in Latin America and a key competitor worldwide. The recovery of access to credit and guarantees, the increase in export capacity and the generation of foreign currency that this implies, added to the gradual amendment of foreign exchange restrictions, provide an auspicious perspective for the country, the energy sector and our company”, Rosario explains.

Creating a supportive environment

Rosario’s impact extends beyond her legal expertise. Her style is grounded in collaboration and adaptability, which is essential for navigating IMPSA’s challenges. She recognizes that the company’s true strength lies in its people, engineers, technicians, and staff, including the other talented members of IMPSA’s legal team in Buenos Aires and Mendoza, who have maintained their commitment and discipline through turbulent times. In the past 10 years, one of IMPSA’s most significant challenges has been retaining top talent while fostering a culture of innovation and resilience. Rosario has supported these efforts by collaborating to create an optimistic and supportive environment, particularly during transitions like the company’s corporate and financial restructuring that started in 2014.

Rosario is optimistic about IMPSA’s potential. With ambitious objectives, such as developing its artificial intelligence business unit and continuing its leadership in the generation of hydro and nuclear renewable energy, the company is poised for a new stage of growth and innovation. Rosario envisions herself contributing to IMPSA’s evolution. Leveraging her expertise to support its technological advancements and strategic goals, she is particularly passionate about fostering collaboration between departments and external partners, ensuring that IMPSA’s legal and operational strategies remain aligned.

Through her work, Rosario exemplifies the essential qualities of an in-house counsel: adaptability, strategic thinking and a deep understanding of the business. Whether navigating the complexities of international arbitration, negotiating contracts with governments and private entities in Argentina and abroad, or supporting restructuring procedures, she has been a driving force behind IMPSA’s day-to-day achievements and response to major challenges.

From family influence to legal talent

Rosario’s path reflects a blend of passion, discipline and ambition. Raised in Mar del Plata, Argentina, she was influenced by her family of legal professionals. Her grandfather, a labor judge; her father, a civil and commercial judge; and her mother, a dedicated lawyer, inspired her to pursue a career in law with a strong emphasis on ethics and hard work.

At 23, Rosario graduated with honors from Universidad Católica Argentina. She specialized in public and regulatory law, focusing on energy, communications, oil and gas and other regulated industries. She began her career in a boutique bankruptcy law firm and then joined the Ministry of Defense, where she gained invaluable experience drafting legislation and understanding government operations.

After four years at one of Argentina’s top legal firms, Rosario realized she wanted to directly influence business decisions. This led her initially to a position at the Ministry of Federal Planning and Infrastructure, where she built connections in the energy sector. In 2012, IMPSA recognized her expertise and hired her. Over the past 13 years, Rosario has expanded her role by providing comprehensive legal guidance and helping shape the company’s direction.

“While my academic and professional background gave me experience and knowledge, an in-house role is where I finally found the variety and impact in a company’s value that I’d always envisioned for my career,” she says.

Balancing her demanding job with motherhood to two children, Rosario emphasizes discipline and clear goals. Beyond her professional achievements, she finds joy in music. She takes singing classes, a creative outlet that fuels her passion.