Hello world!

I'm Mar

I am a generalist head of product design with 10+ years of helping startus solve their user’s problems in creative and scalable ways. Throughout my career, I've collaborated with 14 different startups across diverse industries including legal tech, e-commerce, fashion, media, transportation, cybersecurity, and medical technology.

Although my home base is Berlin, I've been working remotely for 6+ years and am passionate about building productive and collaborative virtual work environments. I believe that thoughtful remote work practices, like asynchronous-first commmunication, can unleash creativity and productivity.

Building a professional community is something I deeply value. Currently, I connect and volunteer with Futures Friends, a global network exploring futures how to shape them. In the past, I started Berlin Art Bites, an Instagram account showcasing contemporary art exhibitions in Berlin. I also organized MaxMSP meetups for digital and interactive artists and facilitated Node School coding workshops to support aspiring software engineers.

What Drives Me

My approach to design and leadership is rooted in a set of core values that guide every decision I make, every hands-on project I impact, and every team I build.

Human-First Thinking

I prioritize people in every decision. Whether users, team members, or stakeholders. Caring about people and the craft drives exceptional outcomes.

Builder Mindset

I'm a builder, not a maintainer. I thrive in environments where I can create from scratch, solve complex problems, and drive innovation forward.

Evidence-Based Decisions

Research and data inform my approach. I combine quantitative insights with qualitative understanding to make informed, strategic choices.

Collaborative Spirit

Enthusiastic and inspiring, I enable others to do their best work through clear communication and shared ownership.

Strategic Thinking

I balance creative lateral thinking with short-, medium-, and long-term planning to ensure sustainable success.

Resourceful & Pragmatic

Hard-working and positive, I find practical solutions to complex challenges while maintaining care and optimism.

My Professional Journey

I work at the intersection of digital product design and strategic foresight. I began my path over a decade ago as a self-taught frontend developer and designer. Those early years fundamentally shaped my work ethic, teaching me resourcefulness and a belief in lifelong learning.

After three years of development work, I shifted my focus fully to design, drawn by a deeper interest in human-centered problem-solving and strategic impact. This transition allowed me to leverage my technical background by enabling me to communicate effectively with engineers and designing with code in mind. More recently, I completed a Master's in Digital Management, where I was introduced to strategic foresight, a research and problem-solving approach that has expanded how I help companies anticipate what they will need next and create solutions that benefit their short, medium, and long-term goals.

I'm Mexican-American, born and raised in Mexico before living in the U.S. and later settling in Germany. Aside from my professional experiences, attending Burning Man regularly since 2010 has also impacted how I work, learning to thrive in high-stakes environments through collaboration, creativity, and resilience.