& How I Like to Work
I truly enjoy figuring things out! I have this belief that almost any problem can be solved – we just need to find the way. Life always gives us challenges, right? But I think we get to choose some challenges because they lead to something important. Every bump in the road is really a chance to learn something new, make something we already know even better, and get closer to what we care about. My experiences, especially leading teams and projects, have helped me get good at spotting the real problem we need to focus on, which saves a lot of time and energy! Whether it's making things run smoother, handling big projects (like moving a whole office & lab!), or helping a new company grow, I get excited about finding the best solution.
I like using information to make good choices. It's amazing what you can learn from looking at how things are going! I've seen how tracking information helps, like when I made some tasks much faster by automating them, or when I found ways to save money – like saving $500k in my first year managing operations, and another $250k each year by negotiating better deals as Chief of Staff! I enjoy using numbers and facts to help decide the best path forward, managing budgets (up to $1 million!), and making reports that everyone can understand. Of course, I listen to my gut feeling too, but I always try to find that perfect mix between feeling and fact.
Deep down, I'm a creative person. My path started in Advertising, and I even got to work my way up in advertising films from an intern to an assistant director! It's been fun exploring different creative areas like digital communication, showing my photos, starting online community projects, and even putting together an art show with QR codes. Bringing an idea to life – whether it's a plan for a company, a new look for a brand, or just a fun project – feels a bit like creating a dance. It's wonderful to watch it happen!
I really want to make things that matter to people. This could mean helping a company doing cool work (like Finless Foods making new kinds of seafood!), creating systems that make work easier for everyone, making good deals happen, or just communicating clearly so investors and teams are on the same page. Working in different areas like Advertising, Film, PR, and Science has taught me to be flexible and ready for anything. I like to get things moving, but I also know that the best things take time and trying things out is key. It’s all about learning and improving as we go!
Okay, it might sound a little cheesy, but I really am a people person! (IYKYK) Connecting with people is what truly motivates me. I love building teams where everyone works well together and feels good about what they do. I've had the chance to lead teams from small groups of 10 up to over 300 people! Being a "culture beacon" – someone who helps keep the workplace positive and supportive – is important to me. I enjoy helping everyone communicate better, working with different partners, and making sure clients are happy. Honestly, the best part of creating anything meaningful is seeing how it helps or delights someone else. That's the best feeling!
More About Me... One of the things that brings me the most joy is helping people around me shine and celebrating their successes. I believe strongly in being honest (especially with ourselves!), acting with integrity, being kind, staying curious, and working together as a team. And I’m always hungry to learn more, grow as a person, and get better at what I do!
Life's taken me on a bit of a journey geographically! I grew up in São Francisco de Paula, Brasil, then spent 21 exciting years in Porto Alegre from high school until I moved to the US. Before moving permanently to California, I had an adventure in Salt Lake City, UT, for high school. It's funny – I sometimes feel like my work style is very Brazilian, my outlook is a bit Californian, and I love this mix!
When I'm not working, I love learning new things, getting lost in a good book, following Formula 1 racing, and spending time with Quinzé, my dog (ask me about him!). Personal growth is super important to me too, so ask me about what I think about mental health. Sometimes, though not as often as I'd like, I also really enjoy camping, biking, onewheeling and photographing (this last one is on a ramp up lately!).