Her Story
About Daniela
My career journey has been centered around combining my passion for helping people with my analytical and problem-solving skills. I spent 13 years in the United States Marine Corps as a Career Planner, which is essentially the Human Resources function within the military. My role was to guide and support Marines throughout every stage of their careers — from the moment they arrived at their first unit at 18 years old through their transition into civilian life and retirement.
A large part of my work involved counseling, mentorship, and helping Marines find their place within an environment that can be incredibly demanding. I worked closely with them to help them understand the structure and purpose behind military life while ensuring they felt supported both personally and professionally. I also helped Marines prepare for life after service by connecting them with universities, trade schools, certification programs, and career opportunities that aligned with their goals and passions. One of the things I valued most was helping younger Marines build confidence and direction while also helping senior Marines navigate the uncertainty that often comes with transitioning out of the military after dedicating so much of their identity to it.
After retiring from the military in 2024, I entered a new chapter of my life and pursued my Master’s degree in Business Analytics at the University of Miami. Leaving the military was a major transition, and while I knew I wanted to continue working with and helping people, I also wanted to challenge myself in a completely different way. Business analytics pushed me outside of my comfort zone and introduced me to coding, data analysis, and technical skills I never imagined myself learning. It became an opportunity to prove to myself that growth does not stop at a certain age or stage in life.
Today, I work as a Compensation Analyst for Orange County Government, where I focus on salary analysis, promotions, classification reviews, internal equity, and market research. I also review and modernize job descriptions, conduct compensation studies, and assist with public records requests. Every decision I make directly impacts employees, which is why I approach every request thoughtfully and carefully. My role requires balancing analytics with empathy, ensuring employees are treated fairly while supporting organizational goals.
At the same time, while completing my master’s degree, I also helped manage my family’s business, Rocket World, a children’s indoor playground and entertainment center. I was involved in every aspect of the business, including payroll, human resources, operations, employee management, event coordination, and creating programs such as a summer camp for children. Whether I was managing operations behind the scenes or dressing up as a character to create memorable experiences for families, I learned the importance of adaptability, leadership, and creating joy in the work you do.
My work ethic comes from my father, who introduced me to hard work at a very young age. From middle school on, I worked alongside him helping maintain and manage his game machines at different business locations. Those experiences taught me discipline, responsibility, and the importance of earning everything through consistency and dedication — values that continue to guide me today.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Daniela
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to my military career and the experience of retiring after 13 years of service. That was one of the most meaningful accomplishments of my life because it represented far more than just time served — it reflected years of sacrifice, discipline, resilience, and personal growth. In the military, you are constantly challenged mentally and professionally. You live knowing that at any moment you could be called to serve, and that environment continuously pushes you to adapt, grow, and become stronger.
When I retired and was formally recognized for my service, it was an incredibly emotional moment. Seeing the pride on my family’s faces made me realize the impact of everything I had accomplished and the example I had set through hard work and perseverance.
My work ethic comes from my father, who introduced me to hard work at a very young age. Growing up, I helped him with his business and learned early on the importance of responsibility, consistency, and earning what you achieve. Those lessons shaped the way I approach every opportunity in my life and career.
I also believe my success comes from being willing to challenge myself, even when something feels uncomfortable or intimidating. Pursuing my master’s degree in Business Analytics in my 30s and learning coding alongside students much younger than me pushed me outside of my comfort zone. There were moments when I doubted myself, but I learned the importance of giving myself grace and believing in my own ability to grow.
The challenges I faced after transitioning out of the military ultimately helped shape the person I am today. Having to rebuild, create a new path, and navigate life independently forced me to discover strengths I did not know I had. I chose the harder path because I knew growth would come from it, and through those experiences, I realized my own potential and capability to succeed in any environment.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was, “Work will still be there in the morning.”
For a long time, I believed I had to do everything immediately and constantly push myself to keep up with work, responsibilities, and deadlines. Over time, I realized that while hard work and dedication are important, so is making time for the people and moments that truly matter. If you are effective in your role, manage your priorities well, and give your best effort, not everything has to be completed in a single day.
Another piece of advice that stayed with me is to always provide the kind of work and service you would want to receive yourself. That mindset has shaped the way I approach every role I’ve had. Whether I’m helping employees, reviewing compensation requests, or supporting someone through an important decision, I try to approach everything with care, professionalism, and empathy because I know the impact that work can have on someone’s life and career.
That advice helped me understand the importance of balance and intention. Careers are important, but family, personal growth, and being present for the people you love matter more. Time is something you can never get back, and I never want to miss meaningful moments because I was too focused on work.
I still believe strongly in having a strong work ethic and taking pride in what you do, but I’ve learned that success also means knowing when to step away, recharge, and prioritize the things in life that matter most.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My biggest advice to young women entering my industry is to never limit yourself to what you think you are capable of. Some of the greatest opportunities in my life came from stepping into spaces that felt uncomfortable or unfamiliar at first. I never imagined I would go from the military into business analytics, learn coding in my 30s, or work in compensation and data analysis, but challenging myself opened doors I never knew existed.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is keeping up with how quickly technology and artificial intelligence are evolving. AI has created incredible opportunities and tools that are transforming the way we analyze data, manage processes, make decisions, and improve efficiency. At the same time, it can feel overwhelming because everything is advancing so quickly, and staying relevant requires constant learning and adaptability.
In fields like business analytics, compensation, and human resources, technology is changing the way organizations operate. More companies are relying on data-driven decision-making, automation, predictive analytics, and AI-supported tools to improve processes and workforce planning. Professionals who are unwilling to evolve or continue learning risk falling behind.
At the same time, I see this as one of the greatest opportunities as well. AI is not replacing the need for human insight, emotional intelligence, ethics, and strategic thinking — it is enhancing it. The people who will succeed are the ones who learn how to work alongside technology while still bringing critical thinking, communication, and empathy to the table.
For me personally, that means continuing to challenge myself, staying curious, learning new tools, and remaining open to growth. I believe adaptability has become one of the most important professional skills anyone can have today.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value in my life is my faith in God. Throughout every transition and challenge, I leaned heavily on prayer and trusted in His will. My faith has grounded me, guided me, and given me the strength to continue moving forward even during difficult seasons.
I also strongly believe in personal growth and continuously working on yourself. I think it’s important to be self-aware, open to change, and willing to take chances in order to become a better person. I try to lead by example by sharing what I learn, being honest about areas where I want to improve, and showing that growth is a lifelong process.
Honesty, grace, and emotional maturity are also values I hold closely. I believe people make mistakes, and I don’t believe in holding grudges or carrying bitterness. I value healthy relationships, understanding, and treating others with compassion while still maintaining strong boundaries and self-respect.
In my professional life, I value integrity and purpose in my work. Even the smallest task can impact someone’s career, livelihood, or future, so I take the time to be thoughtful and intentional in everything I do. I believe work should be done with care, professionalism, and empathy because people matter.
Above all, I value taking care of myself and creating a healthy, stable life built on peace, growth, faith, and love. I believe choosing yourself, protecting your well-being, and continuing to grow into the person God calls you to be is one of the most important things anyone can do.
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