About Me

Here’s my story.

I'm a technologist, leader, and lifelong learner passionate about bridging the gap between complexity and value.

Hey! I’m Bernardo. I’m currently a Senior Director at Slalom, where I lead the Data Architecture and Engineering discipline for Canada and Latin America.

I’ve spent the last 30+ years working in consulting and technology, helping organizations navigate the shifting landscapes of digital transformation. My journey hasn't been a straight line—it’s been a winding path through entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, and deep technical dives.

The Early Days & Entrepreneurship

Before joining the large-scale consulting world, I was an entrepreneur. I founded and managed three consulting companies. This experience was foundational. It taught me that technology doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it has to drive business results. I learned the hard way (the best way) about business development, operational excellence, and what it really means to be responsible for a team's livelihood.

My Philosophy

I operate at the intersection of Strategic Vision and Tactical Execution. I don't believe in architecture for architecture's sake. I believe in pragmatic solutions that solve real problems.

I’m deeply passionate about:

Building High-Performing Teams

Finding great people and giving them the space and support to grow.

Systems Thinking

Whether it's a data platform or a personal productivity system (like P.A.R.A.), I love optimizing how things work.

Continuous Learning

The tech world moves too fast to stand still. I'm constantly reading, experimenting, and refining my mental models.

10 Things About Me

Education

I have a Masters in Data Science, which I pursued to deepen my understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the AI revolution.

Mindful Practice

I am an obsessive journaler. I use it for reflection, planning, and keeping my sanity in a busy world.

Productivity

I’m a big fan of the P.A.R.A. method (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives) for digital organization.

Reading

I read (a lot). I switched to a Kindle Oasis in 2020 and it reignited my reading habit.

Global Perspective

I’ve lived and worked across multiple cultures, which has shaped my perspective on leadership and empathy.

Mentorship

I am deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of data leaders and technologists.

Tech Stack

I love modern data stacks. Snowflake, dbt, and Python are tools I use and advocate for regularly.

Writing

Writing helps me clarify my thinking. I explore complex ideas in public through my articles.

Health Optimization

I believe in a "mens sana in corpore sano" approach, prioritizing structured nutrition and exercise.

Public Speaking

I enjoy sharing knowledge on stage, whether it's about AI innovation or the future of data architecture.

Public Speaking & Presentations

Communication is a core part of leadership. I am passionate about sharing knowledge and have had the privilege of presenting at numerous private and public events, including major industry conferences like Snowflake Data for Breakfast and Microsoft Ignite.

Beyond industry events, I also enjoy engaging with the academic community, guiding the next generation of tech leaders by delivering talks at universities such as UCLA, Queen's University, and TMU.

Bernardo Najlis Presenting
Hackathon Event

Professional Experience

Senior Director

Current

Slalom

Leading Data Architecture & Engineering for Canada and LATAM. Driving strategy, sales, and delivery of transformative data solutions.

Director, Data Engineering

2016-2022

Slalom

Built and led the Data Engineering practice in Toronto and Silicon Valley. Oversight of large client programs with FAANG clients.

Architect & Team Lead

2010-2016

Infusion

Data Insights and Analytics Architect. Managed BI teams and delivered complex architectural solutions.

🇨🇦 Moved to Canada

Co-Founder & CTO

2004-2010

Smart Evolution SRL

Founded and managed a CRM/BI consulting firm. Led implementation projects using Dynamics, Salesforce, and other platforms.

IT Consultant & Developer

1998-2004

Early Career

Started my journey in technology providing IT consulting and software development services for various SMBs. Early adoption of web technologies and database systems.

Education

Buenos Aires
  • BSc. in Systems Analysis

    UCAECE, Buenos Aires

  • Technical Electronics Degree

    Technical High School

🇦🇷 Born in Argentina

Want to dive deeper?

Check out my professional history and connect with me on LinkedIn.

View LinkedIn Profile