Operations has been my throughline. Research Operations is where I found the intersection I love most: experimentation, connection, and impact. The moments in orbit are the people, practices, and places that keep that work human.
a living system, held together by the things that matter
The things that make me a more grounded builder, teammate, and human.
I have always prided myself on being a creative human, and that creativity has shaped me so much personally and professionally. I have been a wedding and portrait photographer for over a decade, and it is a passion that will stay with me forever. You can take a glimpse into my photography portfolio at cesaramadeo.com :)
My partner Derek and I competed in the professional division at Hyrox NYC this past year and finished in 56 minutes, about 20 seconds short of qualifying for the world championships. I am so deeply proud of that one. But mostly, I get the chance to experience and push myself with the person I love.
Getting to experience the world is a privilege I try never to waste. New places, new food, and ideally something that scares me a little: skydiving, bungee jumping, white water rafting.
My family is everything to me. My dad immigrated from Mexico when he was in high school and has built an incredible life for our family. As a construction worker he put in long, physical hours and still came home with such levity and gratitude for his life. I get my work ethic, patience, and resilience from that man. I was also raised by four incredible women: my mom and three older sisters. They inspire me to live my life authentically, and their endless belief and support keep me pushing for more <3
I also pride myself on having incredible human intuition, and because of it I have the most beautiful and exceptional group of humans that I get to experience this life with. Being a good friend and showing up for my community is very important to me.
Operations has a reputation for being the serious department. I think rigor and joy are teammates: people adopt systems built by someone who clearly had fun building them.
