# Daniel Heras > AI Whisperer | CEO @ Refugio AI | Enterprise GenAI Deployment that Works Location: Santa Cruz, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/danielheras Hello, I'm Daniel, the co-founder and CEO of Refugio, an AI/ML services company driven by a profound passion for leveraging technology to make a positive impact on the world. With over 20 years of experience working with start-ups, global enterprises, and everything in-between, I have honed my expertise in diverse domains such as architecture, food systems, retail, and the energy industry. As a human-centered design systems thinker, I challenge linear approaches by embracing natural cycle thinking to develop innovative solutions that cater to the needs of people, society and the planet. I firmly believe that no problem is too small or too big to address, and I thrive on overcoming challenges to drive meaningful change. Beyond the professional realm, I cherish spending time outdoors, especially with my family. Whether it's exploring nature, practicing yoga, surfing, climbing, or immersing myself in a musical experience, I find inspiration and balance outside the confines of my desk. I am always open to connecting with like-minded individuals who share a vision for using technology for the greater good and creating a positive impact on our world. Let's connect and collaborate to shape a brighter future together! #AI #ML #Innovation #HumanCenteredDesign #Sustainability #TechForGood ## Work Experience ### CEO, Co-Founder @ Refugio AI Jan 2023 – Present | Santa Cruz, California, United States ### Product Manager, Employee Enablement @ Gap Inc. Jan 2021 – Jan 2023 | San Francisco Bay Area • Led the development and operation of a generative conversational AI bot to support Gap Inc.’s global workforce of approximately 150k employees worldwide. • Successfully evaluated 10+ AI/ML platforms and conducted proof of concept exercises to select the optimal solution. • Achieved an 80%+ resolution rate on all interactions, ensuring a seamless employee support experience. • Implemented a proactive conversational employee experience, resulting in 100% engagement and increased adoption rates. • Reduced ticket volume by 80% for high-traffic inquiries, freeing up support agents for more critical tasks. • Also responsible for managing core employee tools, optimizing support, and evaluating new solutions for enhanced productivity. Joining Gap Inc. has been an incredible journey, and I’m proud to contribute to shaping innovative solutions for our diverse workforce. ### Senior Product Manager @ Off the Grid Jan 2018 – Jan 2021 | San Francisco, California Management of 6 - 9 off-shore engineers in 4+ countries. Managed 10+ product launches in agile development environment. Established multi-department processes to maximize efficiency, improve release timelines, and streamline communication. Defined & executed product roadmap linking goals, data analytics, and KPI’s to product prioritization across verticals. ### Product Manager @ Off the Grid Jan 2014 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco Bay Area First technical product manager at Off the Grid. Conceptualized and grew product team, including developing all internal product process, from requirement gathering to value validation. Created and launched Off the Grid’s proprietary internal software tools, which currently has a reach of serving 11 thousand meals per day. ### Climate Corps Fellow - City of Austin @ EDF Climate Corps Jan 2013 – Jan 2013 | Austin, TX Analyzed the City of Austin’s municipal building portfolio and energy efficiency practices and created an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) Index for more than 200 City buildings, performed level-1 facility audits and conducted in-depth interviews with over 30 City employees who are key players in the City’s energy efficiency practices. This work helped gain alignment with the City’s Climate Protection Plan, which sets a goal of carbon neutral City operations by 2020. As a result of this work, Heras has recommended four system-level energy efficiency strategies designed to improve the implementation process of energy efficiency projects for City-owned buildings: - A robust Reporting and Communication strategy that tracks and reports building energy data; - A Capital, Finance and Budget strategy that highlights Life Cycle Cost analysis and Net Present Value of energy efficiency projects; - An Operation and Maintenance strategy that integrates stakeholder input and plans for ongoing training of building operators, and - A proposed set of City-wide energy efficiency educational campaigns that would aim to reach all 12,000 City employees and promote more energy efficient behaviors. ### Vice President/Director of Operations @ Beltway Services Jan 2010 – Jan 2012 ·Manage and oversee operations of 200 employees and 200+ properties ·Handle 6 million in annual revenue ·Successfully managed to overcome 500,000 in debt, and steer clear of bankruptcy ### Base Vote Director @ Pleitez for Congress Jan 2008 – Jan 2009 | Los Angeles, CA ·Manage and direct a team of 25 Field Organizers ·Draft policy related to the Environment, Energy, Transportation, and Building Industry ### Designer / Intermediate Architect @ Altoon + Porter Architects Jan 2006 – Jan 2009 | Los Angeles, CA ·Assist Senior Architects in the design of Mixed-Use, Retail, and Commercial Office Space projects ·Supervise all LEED/Sustainable Design Projects, including the development of the first Sustainable Design Package ·Experience in Concept, Schematic, and Design Development ·Project Scale 100,000 - 2,000,000 sq. ft. ·Projects in China, Eastern Europe, and the U.S. ### Designer @ Gansek,Inc. Jan 2004 – Jan 2006 | Berkeley, CA ·Head designer of a small design/build team for residential projects ·Integrated sustainable green design features, such as green roofs, renewable resources, and solar panels ## Education ### B.A. in Architecture University of California, Berkeley ### Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Sustainable Management Presidio Graduate School ### University of Buenos Aires ### Danmarks Designskole ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/herasdaniel --- Source: https://flows.cv/danielheras JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/danielheras/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-08