¡Hola! I'm Ana, a dynamic and accomplished data science and AI leader, entrepreneur, and critical thinker. I'm delighted to connect with you and share a bit about my background. I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital city of Argentina. As the daughter of Italian and Spanish immigrants, I grew up in a household that celebrated diverse cultures and perspectives.

I came into the world during a challenging period in Argentine history. Growing up amidst dictatorship, hyperinflation, and the Malvinas Islands war, my generation had to navigate through turbulent times. These experiences instilled in me a resilience and resourcefulness that taught me not to wait for crises to pass like a storm but to learn how to dance in the rain, removing the fear to take action, and discover creative ways to solve problems and move forward. 

My academic journey began at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), where I initially studied Actuarial Science before transitioning to Business Management. At UBA, I had the opportunity to teach Mathematics and Statistics courses from levels four to ten for 15 years. During those years, I worked with amazing talent and intelligent people, mentoring many fellows and researchers, and witnessing countless students pass through my classroom. I feel fortunate to have played a role in the professional growth of so many individuals. 

I also conducted research in the field of Natural Language Processing and Innovation, culminating in my doctoral studies in Business Management with a focus on measuring innovation in SME clusters. It was during this period that I founded and led the first research project in this area as Research Director.

Over the years, I have held diverse leadership and C-suite roles in data and AI across various industries while founding four business ventures spanning three countries 

My entrepreneurial journey began during university with my first venture—a non-profit initiative and online platform aimed at making mathematical knowledge accessible to all. This experience gave me an exciting introduction to the emerging potential of the internet at the time. 

My second venture saw me as Founder, Managing Director, and board member of a commercial trade business in the manufacturing sector. This experience taught me to leverage economic downturns by identifying asymmetric risk/reward opportunities. 

In my third venture, I co-founded an architectural design business supported by an executive board. This role provided me with a unique perspective on integrating creative design principles within structured, high-level governance, further enhancing my business acumen. 

Life took an exciting turn when I received a wedding invitation from a friend in Australia. What began as a month long visit transformed into a life changing journey. I extended my stay in Australia, moved to New Zealand, and eventually returned to both academia and industry. During this period, I delved deeper into data science just as it was beginning to gain momentum in the private sector. I held senior managerial roles across various industries and founded my fourth business, focused on AI and data science. 

Subsequently, my family and I embarked on an exciting new adventure by moving to Australia. In Melbourne, we were warmly embraced by a vibrant and diverse community that we now proudly call home. Today, I lead AC SmartData, a premier consulting firm specializing in data and AI, and also serve in various board roles, contributing strategic oversight and industry expertise to several organizations. 

My journey continues, and I'm excited to see where it leads. I hope you'll join me on this adventure!