A Space Talent Spotlight Series Interview with Daniela Moody, CTO at Perennial, former VP of Technology, Insurance at Descartes Labs/Earth Daily Analytics, former CTO at Geosite, VP of Artificial Intelligence at Arturo, VPE/CTO at Ursa Space Systems, and Staff Scientist at Los Alamos National Lab.
What is your background?
My journey in technology began with a deep curiosity fostered by my parents, who were both computer engineers. Growing up, I had the unique experience of seeing the inner workings of electronics and learning from them as they solved complex problems. These early experiences instilled a fascination for engineering, which ultimately led me to pursue a degree in electrical engineering, focusing on signal processing and machine learning. My undergraduate work introduced me to the foundational principles of RF engineering, where I developed a strong technical grounding. When I decided to pursue my Ph.D. at the University of Maryland, College Park, I knew I wanted to expand on these concepts and delve into the practical applications of machine learning and signal processing. My time there taught me how to handle data, but more importantly, it showed me the limits of theoretical knowledge and set the stage for my future work in the field.
As a Ph.D. student, I had the incredible opportunity to conduct research at Los Alamos National Laboratory, an experience that was truly transformative. Working at Los Alamos was my first exposure to real-world data—not the carefully prepared datasets typically used in academic projects, but messy, complex information that required novel approaches. I joined the Intelligence and Space Research Division, where I worked with a mix of RF and imaging sensors and developed algorithms to make sense of massive data sets with significant noise and irregularities. One of the pivotal moments in my research came when I started applying machine learning techniques to process time-domain data, which taught me how to extract valuable features from uncontrolled environments. This research experience wasn’t just about pushing the boundaries of technology; it was about learning how to adapt, iterate, and improve within the confines of real-world constraints.
The research at Los Alamos also introduced me to a multidisciplinary approach, where I collaborated with experts in various fields to solve complex problems. I contributed to multiple high-impact projects, such as the Next Generation Environmental Experiment (NGEE) project, a Department of Energy project focused on monitoring land cover and permafrost change in the Arctic using machine learning. Another project involved astronomical surveys to detect supernovae—a process that required developing adaptive feature extraction and rapid data analysis due to the fleeting nature of these events. These experiences highlighted the importance of bringing together different technical domains to achieve meaningful insights and solutions. Working across disciplines also helped me understand that the most groundbreaking advancements often happen at the intersections of various fields, and this mindset has been a driving force in my professional career ever since.
My commercial journey began in earnest at Descartes Labs, a company founded by a team of scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory. Having collaborated with many of them during my Ph.D. and postdoctoral research, transitioning into a commercial setting with a group that shared my drive for scientific rigor and innovation felt natural. At Descartes Labs, I stepped into an environment where technical innovation was paramount, yet we also had to adapt to the metrics and demands of a high-growth startup. My role quickly evolved from a research-focused position to one requiring project leadership and strategic capability development, as we sought to turn complex satellite and geospatial data into valuable food security insights that met the needs of our government customers. It was in this capacity that I first really began to appreciate the critical importance of aligning technical development with business outcomes.
Following three years at Descartes Labs, I moved on to Ursa Space Systems as the Director of Machine Learning, eventually advancing to VPE/CTO. Ursa focused on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, and my primary responsibility was building a machine learning platform that could leverage SAR data for insights in areas like energy, finance, and national security. Managing and growing a multi-disciplinary team, I encountered new leadership challenges as we scaled our data pipeline to handle increasingly complex tasks.
After three formative years at Ursa Space, I joined the Arturo team as VP of Artificial Intelligence. This role required not only technical expertise but also the ability to drive organizational alignment between engineering goals and the company’s broader objectives, along with aggressive team growth to support those objectives. My time at Arturo was especially pivotal in shaping my understanding of product-driven SaaS organizations and I leveraged that knowledge to drive product execution focus once I was brought in at Geosite. As CTO, I was tasked with guiding Geosite’s technical and product roadmap and handling the delicate balance of building innovative technology while ensuring that we were aligned with the business strategy. This period taught me the importance of cross-functional communication, especially in a startup where agility and clarity are essential to successful execution and growth. The experience sharpened my skills in creating scalable, resilient data solutions that could address practical challenges in industries ranging from agriculture to disaster response.
I am now incredibly excited to serve as Perennial’s CTO and repeat my earlier successes in building SaaS geospatial products for the emerging climate market. Perennial’s deep technical expertise in soil organic carbon monitoring and reporting, as well their existing AI modeling capabilities for global digital soil mapping make them a prime candidate to create disruptive spatial products for the climate industry, from the carbon market to climate finance, risk, and adaptation.
What have been your top career accomplishments so far?
My biggest accomplishments have been leading high-impact teams and creating products that push the boundaries of what AI can do in geospatial and remote sensing. At Arturo, for instance, I spearheaded the development of an AI platform that leveraged high-resolution aerial imagery to extract critical insights for the insurance industry. This product required a unique blend of technical expertise, rapid problem-solving, and close collaboration with an exceptional team. Building this team and the platform were defining moments. We created something capable of delivering valuable insights quickly, an accomplishment made possible by our continuous focus on scaling the product efficiently and hiring the right people who shared this vision.
Another major milestone was at Geosite, where I helped transform the company from a project-based model to a product-led organization. I saw an opportunity to build a market-ready solution that met real customer needs and helped the team align around a shared vision for our product. We were able to establish a strong product-market fit, allowing us to serve customers more efficiently and predictably, while the positive customer response validated that we were on the right track. Seeing our clients respond with, "This is exactly what we need," was the kind of fulfillment I hadn’t expected but immensely enjoyed. For me, the most rewarding part of these accomplishments is seeing our work come together into a cohesive product that addresses real problems.
What were the critical steps/choices that helped you get ahead?
For me, one of the critical choices was making a commitment to continuous intellectual engagement. Early on, I realized that stagnation was the biggest risk to my career. The decision to leave Los Alamos after nearly a decade was a difficult one because national laboratories offer stability and the chance to work on high-impact research. But I was driven by a desire to see my work reach broader, more immediate applications. Moving to the private sector, where I could lead and contribute to faster development cycles, opened doors that wouldn't have been accessible if I’d chosen the predictable path. Transitioning to Descartes Labs, and later to roles at Arturo and Geosite, provided a pace and level of innovation that allowed me to grow as both a technical leader and a manager.
Another key factor was my willingness to embrace challenging roles that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Each time I was presented with an opportunity that seemed daunting, I chose to move forward, trusting that I’d figure out solutions along the way. This mindset of tackling new challenges head-on is something I encourage others to adopt. Fear of failure or a lack of confidence in one’s own ability can be paralyzing, but I’ve found that these are often the very moments that lead to the most growth. Taking risks—and embracing the lessons they bring—has been essential in shaping my career and helping me stay adaptable in the face of rapid industry changes.
What part of your education had the most impact on your career?
My Ph.D. program was pivotal, but not solely for the technical skills it provided. My dissertation committee was a unique blend of experts from both electrical engineering and computer science, which was formative in teaching me how to bridge these two domains. My academic training gave me the analytical tools needed to tackle complex, high-stakes problems, but it was my experience working with real-world data at Los Alamos that solidified my understanding of practical problem-solving. The structured, pristine data we studied in academia was nothing like the noisy, unstructured data I encountered at Los Alamos, where sensor imperfections, environmental factors, and unpredictable variables often threw a wrench in carefully designed algorithms. This experience was incredibly humbling but also empowering—it taught me to be agile in my approach to problem-solving and to value practicality as much as precision.
Another invaluable lesson from my education was learning to navigate interdisciplinary projects. Many of the advanced models and algorithms we rely on today didn’t exist at the start of my career, so I had to adapt continuously and work with experts from different fields to solve novel challenges. My Ph.D. advisor, who had deep roots in both academia and government research, pushed me to think critically about real-world applications and the value of bridging different areas of expertise. This multidisciplinary approach has influenced every stage of my career, helping me thrive in roles that demand both technical depth and the ability to translate that depth into tangible solutions.
What about your career have you enjoyed the most and least?
The most rewarding part of my career has been building something impactful from scratch—whether that’s a team or a product. At Geosite, for example, I led a transition from project-based to product-led development. This involved not just building software but also fostering a collaborative environment where people felt empowered to contribute their best work. I enjoy seeing projects evolve, gaining shape and functionality with every iteration until they become tools that customers rely on daily. There’s a unique satisfaction in setting a vision, watching it grow, and seeing the positive impact it has in the market. The whole process, from assembling a capable team to seeing the product resonate with users, is immensely fulfilling.
Conversely, the most challenging part of leadership has been managing the human side of business decisions. Letting people go, whether due to layoffs or a mismatch in team alignment, is something I find incredibly difficult. These are never easy conversations, but they are sometimes necessary for the health of the team and the organization. I’ve always approached these situations with empathy, but the weight of making decisions that directly impact people’s lives is something I don’t take lightly. Building a successful team sometimes requires hard choices to ensure the right people are in the right roles, and making those decisions with care and responsibility has been a vital, if challenging, part of my leadership journey.
Where do you see the most promising career opportunities in the future?
I believe climate tech and geospatial intelligence hold immense promise for the future. The economic and social impacts of climate change are becoming impossible to ignore, and the demand for actionable insights to help manage risk is only growing. Insurance, agriculture, and energy sectors, for example, are starting to depend heavily on satellite and geospatial data to make informed decisions that mitigate environmental and financial risks. Emerging AI models, along with distributed compute capabilities, can help translate massive amounts of geospatial data into insights that address real-world challenges. The potential for AI in climate tech isn’t just theoretical—there are concrete applications that can drive substantial change across industries.
What advice/resources would you share with the next generation?
Finding mentors has been one of the most impactful aspects of my career, and I can’t emphasize enough the importance of both seeking guidance and giving back as a mentor. The best mentor-mentee relationships aren’t always formal or structured—they often grow naturally from shared experiences and mutual respect. I’ve had mentors who helped me navigate complex career decisions and provided insights that have shaped my approach to both technical and leadership challenges. I encourage younger professionals to be proactive in seeking these connections and to keep an open mind about learning from people at different stages of their careers.
Equally important is cultivating a growth mindset and being willing to stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn, rather than fearing failure. Early in my career, I realized that learning something new every day was essential for personal growth and staying engaged. Mistakes and setbacks are inevitable, but they’re also some of the most valuable learning experiences. Keeping an open mind and a willingness to adapt will serve anyone well, especially in industries that are evolving as rapidly as space technology and AI.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Culture and people are foundational to every company’s success. I’ve seen firsthand how great teams drive great outcomes. Investing in building a healthy, supportive culture is one of the best ways to ensure long-term success, and that starts with strong leadership. Managers who genuinely care about the development of their team members create environments where people can thrive. A strong culture enables innovation, encourages collaboration, and ultimately makes difficult moments more manageable.
Finally, I encourage everyone to remain curious and resilient. Each new role has stretched me in different ways, helping me to build a diverse skill set that I can draw on to tackle new challenges. Change is inevitable, and embracing it has allowed me to grow professionally and personally. I strive to keep learning and challenging myself, as this is the best way to stay intellectually engaged and prepared for whatever comes next.
