Ferdinanda

Ferdinanda Martinez, Ph.D., has been bridging the worlds of design, innovation, and behavioral science for over two decades. She embarked on her professional path in academia, obtaining a Ph.D. in behavioral psychology with an emphasis on user experience (UX) and human-computer interaction. Shifting gears to the corporate sector, Ferdinanda spearheaded creative initiatives and strategic planning at leading firms before taking on executive roles at Pinterest, Airbnb, Apple, Tesla, and Patagonia, where she was appointed Chief Innovation Officer. Presently, she is steering The Empathy Engine, a consultancy that champions empathy-driven approaches across all organizational levels.

Throughout her career, Ferdinanda has:

- Accumulated extensive expertise in both consumer-facing and business-to-business markets.

- Directed teams spanning the entire spectrum of design and engagement—from product development and UX/UI to content creation, visual storytelling, and interactive experiences.

- Been honored with Apple's "Visionary Leader" award and is celebrated as a mentor and leadership coach.

- Offered advisory and fractional CxO (innovation, design, digital, people, strategy) services to startups ranging from seed funding to Series C, as well as established corporations.

- Advised numerous organizations, supporting ventures from their nascent stages through to seasoned enterprises.

- Acted as a champion for diversity in tech; active advocate within women in leadership circles.

Notable engagements include:

- At Stanford discussing on behalf of Airbnb (2022)

- Crafting Experiences in the Digital Age (2021)

- Empathetic AI: A Warm Welcome (2024)

- [Podcast] Designing the Future with Jane Doe (2023)

In April 2024, during a sunny afternoon in San Francisco, Ferdinanda found herself not only sharing insights on how to blend technology with human needs but also inspiring a new generation of leaders to think beyond algorithms and focus on creating meaningful connections. Her journey from academic halls to Silicon Valley boardrooms has been marked by an unwavering commitment to making technology work better for everyone.