Discover ten essential career insights from experienced professionals, including how to slow down for better results, prioritize your manager relationship, find mentors and sponsors, and stay curious to advance your career.
Influential Woman · Tech
Daniela Matinho
Senior Marketing Scientist, Snapchat
New York, NY
2Articles published
Her Story
About Daniela
Hi, I'm Daniela.
I'm an AI, analytics, and decision science professional passionate about helping organizations and individuals make better decisions through data, experimentation, and technology.
Over the past decade, I've worked across some of the world's leading technology and consumer brands, including Snapchat, Meta, PepsiCo, and Circana. Throughout my career, I've focused on turning complex data into actionable business insights, helping teams evaluate performance, optimize investments, and drive meaningful outcomes.
My work sits at the intersection of analytics, experimentation, measurement, and artificial intelligence. I'm particularly interested in how organizations can use AI responsibly and effectively, while maintaining the human judgment, trust, and relationships that drive great decisions.
Beyond my professional work, I'm passionate about education and knowledge sharing.
Over the years, I've created resources covering data science, marketing analytics, consulting, and career development to help professionals navigate their careers and build analytical skills. I believe that knowledge becomes more valuable when it is shared. On this website, you'll find a collection of articles, guides, projects, and resources that reflect my interests in AI, decision science, measurement, and professional development. My goal is to make complex ideas more accessible and help others make better decisions—whether that's evaluating an AI initiative, building a measurement strategy, or navigating a career transition.
When I'm not working with data, you'll usually find me exploring new ideas, mentoring professionals, traveling, or writing about the future of work, technology, and human connection in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Thanks for stopping by.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Daniela
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of hard work, curiosity, and the support of the people around me.
Throughout my career, I've always been willing to put in the effort required to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. Whether it was moving to a new country, pursuing a Master's degree in Data Science, or transitioning across industries and roles, I have consistently believed that meaningful growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Curiosity has also played a major role in my journey. I've always enjoyed learning, asking questions, and exploring new ideas. This mindset has helped me adapt to a rapidly changing world and build a career at the intersection of analytics, AI, business strategy, and decision-making.
Most importantly, I am grateful for the support of my family, friends, mentors, and colleagues. Success is rarely achieved alone. The encouragement, guidance, and perspective of the people around me have helped me navigate challenges, celebrate opportunities, and continue growing both personally and professionally.
At the end of the day, I believe success comes from staying humble, continuing to learn, working hard, and investing in the relationships that matter most.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received was: if you're consistently struggling with your manager, don't assume the problem is always the role or the company—sometimes you need a different environment, team, or leader to thrive.
Early in my career, I learned how much a manager can influence your growth, confidence, and overall experience at work. A great manager can challenge you, support you, and help you reach your potential, while a poor fit can make even a great job feel difficult.
That advice taught me that career success isn't just about choosing the right company or title. It's also about finding leaders and teams that align with your values, help you grow, and bring out your best work.
Over time, I've learned that the people you work with often matter just as much as the work itself. When you're surrounded by supportive colleagues, strong mentors, and leaders who invest in your development, you're much more likely to succeed and enjoy the journey along the way.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering analytics, AI, or technology is to focus on learning, growth, and relationships early in your career.
When you're starting out, it's easy to focus on titles and compensation, but some of the most valuable opportunities come from roles where you can learn quickly, take on responsibility, and work alongside great leaders. A manager who invests in your development and challenges you to grow can have a much bigger impact on your long-term career than a slightly higher salary.
I would encourage young professionals to prioritize environments where they can build strong technical and business skills, ask questions, and gain exposure to different parts of the organization. I would also emphasize the importance of building a strong network. Many of the opportunities, mentors, and friendships that have shaped my career came from investing in genuine relationships over time.
Most importantly, stay curious and keep learning. Technology, AI, and analytics are constantly evolving, and the people who continue to grow, adapt, and embrace new challenges will be best positioned for long-term success.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in analytics, AI, and technology today is the pace of change.
New tools, platforms, and capabilities are emerging faster than ever before. While this can feel overwhelming, it also creates incredible opportunities for innovation, learning, and growth. The professionals and organizations that are willing to adapt, stay curious, and continuously develop new skills will be best positioned to succeed.
In particular, the rise of AI is transforming how decisions are made, how work gets done, and how businesses operate. The challenge is not simply adopting new technology, but understanding how to use it effectively and responsibly to create meaningful value.
At the same time, I believe this rapid change makes human skills even more important. Critical thinking, communication, leadership, judgment, and the ability to build trust remain essential. Technology will continue to evolve, but the ability to combine technical expertise with human insight will be what truly differentiates successful professionals and organizations.
For me, that's what makes this field so exciting: there is always something new to learn, and there are endless opportunities to help people and businesses navigate change.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my professional and personal life are respect, humility, integrity, and continuous growth.
I believe in treating people with respect, regardless of their background, title, or experience. Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my career have come from building genuine relationships and learning from others.
Humility is equally important to me. Working in analytics, AI, and technology has taught me that there is always more to learn, and that the best decisions are often made when we remain curious and open to different perspectives.
Integrity is at the core of how I approach my work. I value honesty, transparency, and evidence-based decision making, whether I'm analyzing data, leading a project, or collaborating with a team.
Finally, I embrace a growth mindset. I believe that challenges, setbacks, and change are opportunities to learn and improve. This mindset has helped me navigate career transitions, pursue new opportunities, and continuously expand my skills in analytics, AI, and leadership.
Together, these values shape how I work, how I lead, and how I strive to contribute to the people and communities around me.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Daniela
10 Career Tips That You Make You More Successful
10 Essential Career Insights from Experienced Professionals to Accelerate Your Professional Growth
When was the last time you received some career advice?
Just last week, one of our team's interns was wrapping up her internship, and we all got together to share our wisest—and most colorful—advice from the "more experienced" and "older" folks at the company. I learned so much from everyone that I decided to compile a selection of those insights here.
1. SLOW DOWN TO GO FASTER
I absolutely love this one.
I have always operated in fast-paced environments, but I have also noticed that when we're trying to build something great, we need time. We need to step back, reflect on the steps we're taking, and consider the people we're involving.
It's a tough balance because the industry demands speed, but I have learned that I code better, manage better, and become a better colleague when I step away from a big project for a few days to reflect and approach it again with fresh eyes.
2. PRIORITIZE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MANAGER
Anyone who tells you that your relationship with your manager is not crucial to your career is lying to you.
While being a good employee is essential, it's equally important to have a leader who supports you, recognizes your work, and values your contributions.
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash
3. FIND A MENTOR
I can't emphasize enough how much my mentors have helped me throughout my career.
From teaching me how to negotiate for higher pay to encouraging me to pursue new opportunities and helping me navigate office politics and challenging teammates, my mentors have been invaluable.
I have gained so much from the relationships I've built with the many people I've encountered over the last five years in the United States.
4. HAVE FUN ALONG THE WAY
Work is only one part of our lives, but it's also where many of us spend most of our time. That's why it's important to enjoy what we do and have fun along the way.
Some people may laugh at this, but it's true. I don't enjoy 100% of the tasks I do, but I find joy in most aspects of my job, and that's a blessing.
When we enjoy what we do, we're more motivated and often become better at our work.
Photo by Boxed Water Is Better on Unsplash
5. KEEP LEARNING
This is so crucial, yet unfortunately, many people forget it.
I have three degrees, and honestly, I know I'll be studying something new again soon.
Learning new things brings us back to the beginning, keeps us humble, and helps us lead with greater knowledge and understanding.
When was the last time you took a class or attended an event on a topic you knew nothing about?
6. FIND A SPONSOR
In addition to having a good relationship with your manager, you also need a sponsor—someone who can advocate for you during important conversations, especially when it comes to compensation and promotions.
I first heard about the concept of sponsorship from Carla Harris, a senior leader at Morgan Stanley, and I believe it's one of the most important professional relationships you can build, alongside your relationships with your manager and mentor.
So, go find the person who will champion you in addition to your manager.
7. TAP INTO YOUR STRENGTHS
Understand what you're truly good at.
What are your unfair advantages?
Be crystal clear about them so you can leverage them when it's time to choose your next project, role, or team.
Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash
8. SAY YES A LOT
I was talking to a senior director the other day and asked her how she built such a large team so quickly.
She said it was by saying "yes" a lot.
I know this advice might not resonate with everyone, but advancing in your career often involves taking on additional responsibilities, especially early on when you're just entering the workforce.
It might sound unfair, but it's true: you'll likely have to do a lot before seeing the results of your efforts. However, those results are often well worth the wait.
9. TELL PEOPLE WHAT YOU WILL DO, THEN DO IT
It's as simple as that: keep your word.
These days, it's easy to lose track of commitments because we attend so many meetings and juggle competing priorities. However, when we focus on what truly matters and deliver on what we promise, we elevate our performance and build trust.
It sounds simple, but it isn't always easy.
Photo by Mukuko Studio on Unsplash
10. STAY CURIOUS
Curiosity is a skill—and an asset—that nearly every leader I've met has highlighted when I've asked:
"What do you look for in people?"
Stay hungry and curious by asking questions, educating yourself, and continually reinventing who you are.
At the end of the day, curiosity helps you adapt, grow, and succeed in any organization. Recruiters and leaders notice people who are eager to learn.
For more content about careers and books, follow me on Medium at @danielamatinho.
Don't forget to comment, like, and share.
Daniela
Discover a three-step ChatGPT process to tailor your résumé for each job application, saving time and boosting your chances of landing interviews with personalized optimization.
How to Leverage ChatGPT to Customize Your Resume — 5mins
Master the art of tailoring your résumé with ChatGPT in three simple steps.
Have you ever spent hours tailoring your résumé to different job applications, only to feel like you're getting nowhere?
Or maybe you've applied to dozens of jobs and never heard back?
You're not alone.
In today's article, I share a three-step process I've used every time I've applied for a new position. It involves using ChatGPT to tailor your résumé to the job you're applying for—saving you time and increasing your chances of getting noticed.
STEP 1: Prepare Your Résumé
The first step is simple: grab your most recent résumé and copy it into ChatGPT. I recommend removing any personal information, such as your contact details, before pasting it.
Here's the prompt I use when working with ChatGPT:
"This is my résumé. Please review it and familiarize yourself with my experience, skills, and accomplishments. Do not make any changes yet. I will provide the job description in the next prompt."
YouTube Video
Watch the YouTube video where I explain the process in more detail.
For more content about careers and books, follow me on Medium @danielamatinho. I have also started a YouTube channel where I post consistently. Don't forget to comment, like, and share.
STEP 2: Copy the Job Description
Next, head to LinkedIn or wherever you found the job posting. Copy the entire job description, including the responsibilities and required skills. This step is crucial because you want to ensure your résumé aligns with the specific requirements of the position.
Once you've copied the job description, paste it into ChatGPT and use this prompt:
"This is the job description for the position I am applying for. Please update my résumé to better align with this role while accurately reflecting my experience, skills, and accomplishments."
By doing this, you're giving ChatGPT the context it needs to optimize your résumé for the job you're targeting.
Photo by Bram Naus on Unsplash
STEP 3: Review and Update Your Résumé
At this point, ChatGPT will generate an updated version of your résumé. It will incorporate keywords, skills, and responsibilities from the job description to help ensure your résumé aligns with what the employer is looking for. It's like having a personalized résumé expert at your fingertips.
Once you've reviewed the suggestions and made any necessary edits, your résumé is ready to go.
Why This Works
So, why is this method so effective?
ChatGPT excels at identifying the key skills and responsibilities emphasized in a job description. It can then prioritize those elements when revising your résumé, helping ensure that your relevant experience is front and center—exactly where recruiters want to see it.
This process helped me tremendously when I was searching for a new position, and I believe it can do the same for you. Let me know in the comments below how it worked for you!
One important reminder: always review the final version carefully before submitting it. Make sure every update accurately reflects your experience, skills, and accomplishments. The goal is to present your qualifications more effectively—not to misrepresent them.
If you found this article helpful, don't forget to check out my YouTube video, where I walk through this process step by step.
Good luck, and happy job hunting!
For more content about careers and books, follow me on Medium at @danielamatinho. I have also started a YouTube channel where I post consistently. Don't forget to comment, like, and share.
Daniela
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