About Me

Hey there! Welcome to My Portfolio!

I'm Violeta, and this is where the fun and the serious stuff collide. On this site, you'll find highlights from my career – from investigative work in fraud prevention to the enchanting world of taxonomy, metadata, and automated classification through machine learning. I've tried on quite a few hats, but hey, that's what makes life interesting, right?

Now, while all those experiences are easily transferable, what really gets me motivated is leading and managing high performing teams. Picture this: a bunch of talented folks working together, celebrating wins, and being each other's superheroes when the going gets tough.

Since I can't fit everything on this page, please drop me a line if you're curious about my experiences or just want to chat about the latest Netflix series! Let's connect and chat about it all.

Be well in the meantime,

V

Project Portfolio

(Please click the logos below for more details)

Amazon.com

Amazon.com
Fundación Escuela Taller de Bogotá

Fundación Escuela Taller de Bogotá
Escuela Taller Naranja

Escuela Taller Naranja
MinCultura

MinCultura
Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Expanded Resume

SUMMARY

  • Accomplished multi-departmental leader with 18+ years of experience in eCommerce and technical organizations

  • Proven track record in developing data modeling policies, enhancing metadata quality, and fostering cross-team collaboration

  • Skilled in A/B testing, customer and behavioral analysis to propel data-driven personalization

  • Adept at inspiring C-Suite stakeholders and leading large-scale process improvements, text-mining, and machine learning endeavors

PROFICIENCIES

  • Software: Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, Jira, Confluence, Internal Wikis & Bulletins

  • Machine Learning: Proficiency in Semantic Web Company’s Unified Views, and proprietary tools

  • Data Tools | Taxonomy Query: PoolParty, Riversand, Adobe Analytics, Google Search Console, Python, SQL, SPARQL, SKOS

  • Regulatory Compliance: CPSIA, CCPA, NOM, CCPSA, KYC, SOX

LANGUAGES

English – Fluent | Spanish – Fluent | Portuguese – Conversational

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • The Guitar Center Company | Thousand Oaks, CA

    • Oversaw, hired, and developed managers and contributors in Taxonomy, Ontology, Metadata Integrity, On-Site Search, and SEO

    • Developed strategic roadmaps for multiple departments, drove innovative third-party tech solutions through RFPs, outlined new data governance process, and presented to the C-Suite for buy-in and resource allocation

    • Directed cross-functional teams to drive discoverability improvements and machine learning by analyzing data, customer behavior, refining Search Relevancy/Natural Language Processing data streams, and A/B test results

    • Coordinated a large-scale metadata remodel initiative across 9 departments, resulting in a 34% increase in conversion

    • Cultivated a culture of transparency and innovation, promoting inclusive practices and trust within the eCommerce organization

  • Unreplicated LLC | Bogotá, Colombia & Seattle, WA

    • Partnered with 14 trade schools in Colombia to launch an eCommerce platform for artisan crafts

    • Collaborated with the Colombian Ministry of Culture to facilitate historical documents access about traditional artisans

    • Managed a network of content creators and artisans to showcase Colombian crafts to international audiences

  • Amazon.com | Browse Development & Taxonomy Team | Seattle, WA

    • Led taxonomy design and launch execution for Amazon Mexico’s Musical Instruments, Luggage, & Baby Products (Consumables) categories, as well as multiple Amazon.ca refreshes

    • Created product type rules to facilitate text-mining and machine-learning classification across multilingual marketplaces

    • Trained and mentored new taxonomists for global data model strategies in the Americas and Europe

  • Amazon.com | International Regulatory Compliance Team | Seattle, WA

    • Managed rule-writing teams of 50+ professionals in India and Romania to classify and establish regulatory compliance data workflows for international import products

    • Collaborated with Trade Compliance and 3rd-party providers to ensure regulatory compliance for marketplace launches

  • Amazon.com | Buyer, Merchant, Abuse and Claims Risk Teams | Seattle, WA

    • Facilitated on-site training for ~30 investigators in San Jose, Costa Rica, and coached leadership for site launches, fostering international team collaboration

    • Compiled and submitted Modus Operandi (MO) reports on risky trends in Mexico and Brazil, providing critical insights for analytics and enforcement teams

  • Expedia, Inc. | Bellevue, WA

    • Analyzed transactions for risk management and preemptively addressed fraud trends

    • Developed rules for fraud prevention on international websites

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

University of Washington - Comparative History of Ideas | Seattle, WA

COMMUNITY & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

  • Books for Prisoners | Seattle, WA

    • Received letters from prisoners and found donation library books that met correctional regulations and shipping constraints

    • Checked quality, packed, weighed, and shipped donations assembled by other fellow volunteers

  • Food Lifeline | Seattle, WA

    • Unpacked large in-shipments of produce & home essentials & consolidated to more manageable family sizes

    • Collaborated with other volunteers to unsure food safety & quality control of outgoing donations

  • Fundación Escuela Taller de Bogotá | Bogotá, Colombia

    • 2019-2021

      • Served as periodic volunteer tech consultant with tasks such as site building, virtual classes, online culinary events

      • Created an online catalog to enable organization, sharing, and check-out services for students and the general public

    • 2008

      • Instructed youth (ages 18–25) in English courses tailored to vocational programs and organized recreational activities

  • Food Not Bombs | Seattle, WA & Chicago, IL

    • Cooked for 40-60 people, served at Occidental Park in Pioneer Square & coordinated events for Seattle chapter

    • Managed donation agreements with produce distributors & provided fresh left-over produce to local Seattle shelters

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

The psychology of thinking in several languages, learning how to say hello & thank you in various languages, being a part of culturally diverse environments, creating silly situational playlists, docu-series or sci-fi television shows, travel, crocheting, building Lego sets, and volunteering for organizations focused on food insecurity/education

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO