MEET THE MAESTRO INTERVIEW

DANIELA: Applied Behavioural Scientist, Healthcare Strategy & Innovation

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At Maestro, we know there’s more to life than work. In our “Meet the Maestro” series, we peek beyond the CV to discover what makes our Maestros tick.

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Daniela leverages her background in behavioral science to help health practitioners and organisations tackle complex and layered challenges. From improving patient engagement and adherence, to crafting more effective health communications, to designing environments that support better recovery and wellbeing, Daniela is on the frontline of positive change.

In a convoluted work environment, Daniela’s superpower is to make sense of complexity. She distills information from diverse sources to clarify the bigger picture, then connects the dots to uncover insights, spot patterns and reveal powerful, often unexpected, pathways forward. Grounded in human insight, her approach helps people and businesses cut through the noise and make smarter decisions, leading to healthier outcomes for everyone involved.

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1. Tell us about a career highlight to date…

It's difficult to pinpoint one particular highlight. However, I think the overarching one has been consistently bringing a mindset and approach into spaces where it had no precedent, and making it stick.

2. Talk us through an unusual career choice you’ve made along the way…

I left a thriving private practice, packed up life as I knew it, and moved overseas, not for a promotion or a clear next step, but for the pull of something different. I ended up moving into a completely different industry, far outside my comfort zone. On paper, it didn’t make sense. But in reality, it stretched me, gave me a whole new lens on behaviour, and taught me how to apply my skills in environments where behavioural science wasn’t yet part of the conversation. It was one of the most formative decisions I’ve made in my career.

3. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An electrical engineer - I wanted to build the invisible and invent the future! 

I might not be an electrical engineer today but I still help uncover, create, and design the foundations, systems, and connections that shape the visible world…just via a different discipline. 

4. What are your passions outside of work and how do you make time for them?

I like staying active, reading, and all things design - whether it's interiors, fashion, or beautiful spaces. Right now, a lot of those passions are in hibernation while I navigate life with young twins. But I know they’ll come back in the next phase. For now, I squeeze in what I can, when I can (prioritising staying active). 

5. If you could instantly master any skill or hobby, what would it be and why?

Drumming. I would love to master the drums - there is something electric about feeling the beat move through my whole body. For now, I will have to rely on the greats… but it’s on my bucket list for one day. 

6. What’s a personal value or belief that guides the way you live your life?

‍Curiosity without judgement. Ever since I was little, I’ve had a deep urge to understand how and why things work, whether it was people, systems, construction of things or ideas. That instinct to explore beneath the surface has stayed with me. Today, it shows up in how I approach my work, how I solve problems, and how I keep learning about the world and people in it.

7. What’s a challenge you’ve overcome outside of work that shaped you?

Becoming a mum to twins while launching a business has been an intense (and ongoing) dual transformation. But, it’s taught me not to waste time on things that don’t truly matter, to let go of perfection, and to trust my instincts more, both professionally and personally. 

8. What do you think your job will look like in 10 years time? 

I think behavioural science will be deeply embedded across the health sector, not as a niche skill set, but as a standard part of how we design systems, services, and strategies. In 10 years, I imagine my role evolving into more of a strategic partner and mentor: guiding ethical frameworks, shaping big-picture thinking, and helping organisations navigate complexity with humanity. I’d love to be working across disciplines; health, tech, design, policy - connecting ideas and people to drive real, lasting change.

9. If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and what would you do?

‍Japan. I’m drawn to the minimalism, the deep sense of intentionality in everyday life, and the quiet beauty in how space, routine, and design are treated. I’m also a little obsessed with the books of the Japanese author Haruki Marukami. I would love to just wander the streets and experience the culture. 

10. What does success look like to you?

Success for me is about living and working with clarity, intent and purpose. Whether it's about creating meaningful impact through my work by solving real-world challenges, being fully present with my family when we spend time together or co-creating a future with my partner that balances ambition with freedom. Success is ultimately about autonomy and freedom to choose what truly matters to me. 

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