Karen Rufino, AI Strategy Consultant
As an AI strategy consultant, Karen is on a mission to revolutionize how organizations do business. Her philosophy is rooted in the tenets of movement and transparency. She’s passionate about ensuring that growth is never left to happenstance. Rufino, an engineering student from Brazil, operates at a high level on her passion for order and data. She’s created an incredibly empowering process that allows entrepreneurs to create the best possible decisions.
At first, Rufino’s internship was intended to be a short stop along her academic path. The truth is, this experience really exposed her to just how huge the potential of data-driven insights could be in helping businesses scale across the globe. In a country where business can seem improvised, Rufino is not willing to accept that reputation. He’s calling for a longer-term, more data-driven, and thoughtful approach to corporate practices.
A Love for Structure and Transformation
Rufino’s love for structure has now taken on a new purpose: transformation. Now, data is her oxygen. She fiercely advocates for the power of data. She embodies this premise every day through her work to show others that AI can be for anyone.
“AI doesn’t have to be scary or complicated,” – Karen Rufino
Her vision couldn’t be clearer. Through her work, she hopes to empower business owners to make better, faster decisions with the wisdom-at-their-fingertips they possess. Now, the intersection of technology and creative strategic thinking has become her playground, igniting a love for marketing she never expected.
Though she started out in her studies committed to the engineering side of the field, Rufino quickly became fascinated with the strategic side of business. She noted,
“Strategy lit up a different part of my brain.” – Karen Rufino
This new found epiphany inspired her business strategy zeal. She thinks her engineering background provides a fresh perspective to this emerging discipline.
Education and Adaptation
Rufino’s journey took a bold turn when she applied to Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. This decision went beyond simply promoting her education. It represented an enormous leap into a different culture and corporate milieu in the United States. Winning a 70% merit scholarship and being named as a Forté Fellow demonstrated her leadership potential and excellence.
“The decision to leave everything behind and start again in a new country was the hardest—and best—decision I’ve ever made,” – Karen Rufino
Learning how to navigate the U.S. corporate culture was tough, but it forced her to grow outside of what she was used to. It empowered her to further develop her leadership skills internationally. As a filler, she honed her art in bridging the complex problem-solving with data and vision on a national scale.
“It pushed me to think beyond what I knew and learn to lead in a global environment,” – Karen Rufino
Rufino’s past and present experiences at Duke have helped arm her with some powerful tools. She is passionate about helping companies to change how they use data to inform their business strategy.
The Road Ahead
As Rufino embarks on this new path, she’s undeterred from her mission to promote internal change within companies. Her rare combination of engineering and strategic perspective makes her a good bet to lead the charge to shape the future state of business operations.
With each step she takes, she reinforces her conviction that data can empower those who feel like underdogs in their industries.
“I know what it feels like to be the underdog. And I know how powerful data can be in shifting that story,” – Karen Rufino
Her determination is representative of a larger movement toward making data-driven decisions across the globe and across sectors.
