Andra Maria Vaduva — Founder
I kept noticing the same pattern inside organizations: talented teams, strong ambition - but confusion on how to use AI in a way that actually matters. So I built a way to make adoption practical, human, and repeatable. My background sits at the intersection of AI and emotion modeling, and at MIT I doubled down on human-centered design: how people actually make decisions under pressure. That lens changed everything. If adoption is human, then strategy has to meet people where they are. Today we work with leaders across the US, Mexico, and the UK to turn AI from noise into one sensible bet at a time. We pick a real problem, set guardrails, run a 30-day sprint, and measure what matters: hours saved, faster cycles, fewer errors, better decisions. Then we scale what works. I lead two vehicles to do this. Safespace is the AI Adoption Lab. We study what makes change stick and design readiness, governance, and upskilling programs leaders can confidently explain to their boards and CFOs. The approach is human-centered, responsible, and scalable. Mental Gym teams are the AI SWAT teams. We deploy small, fast-moving squads focused on education, strategy, and adoption. Education means short workshops and coaching that raise the skill floor quickly. Strategy means choosing the first sensible bet and defining clear success criteria. Adoption means staying close to the team as they use the methods in real work until the win sticks. Outcome: organizations stop “trying tools” and start shipping decisions faster, saving hours, and reducing errors with proof they can see, feel, and share.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a leader in AI adoption and strategy within the education and technology sectors.
Location: New York, New York, United States
Experience: 14 yrs 2 mos
Skills
- Ai Strategy
- Change Management
- Responsible Ai
- Affective Computing
- Leadership Development
Career Highlights
- Expert in AI adoption and human-centered design.
- Founder of multiple AI-focused initiatives.
- Proven track record in leadership development.
Work Experience
CBRNE Ltd
Senior AI Researcher in Responsible AI & Emotion Modeling (9 mos)
AI Circle
Member (1 yr 3 mos)
Mental Gym AI
Founder, Chief of AI Adoption (2 yrs 2 mos)
Reforge
AI Strategist (2 yrs 2 mos)
Intro
Book 1:1 Video Sessions (3 yrs)
IFundWomen
Startup Coach (10 mos)
Culture Amp
Culture First Lead (1 yr 7 mos)
AI Strategist, Course Author (4 yrs 9 mos)
Women in AI
Cohort 2021 (5 mos)
Techcelerator.Co
Growth Mentor (1 yr 4 mos)
Hiboo
Founder (1 yr 9 mos)
Cocoon
Head of Growth (1 yr 3 mos)
Senior Growth Marketing Consultant (2 mos)
safespace
Founder and CEO (7 yrs 9 mos)
StaunchGirls - E-commerce
Co-Founder & CMO (1 yr 6 mos)
Consultant
Technical Growth Consultant at Tech Startups (3 yrs 4 mos)
SEVENROOMS
Product Marketing Manager (3 mos)
Foodie For All
Head Of Marketing (1 yr 5 mos)
General Assembly
Digital Marketing Immersive (3 mos)
SWELL, Inc.
Product Marketing Manager (1 yr)
Account/Brand Strategy Manager (3 mos)
Nicholson School of Communication, University of Central Florida
Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant (1 yr 9 mos)
Education
Executive Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
AI Foundations for Product Managers at Reforge
Conversation Design Certification at Conversational Academy
Software Engineering and Full Stack Development at Fullstack Academy
Certificate of Entrepreneurship at UCF College of Business
M.A. at University of Central Florida
Bachelor's degree (B.A.) at National School of Political and Administrative Studies (Romania)