About Mario
15+ years of scaling engineering teams from startup chaos to billion-dollar success
My Journey
Engineering executive with 15+ years of experience building and scaling high-performing teams, leading strategic initiatives, and delivering impactful software at scale. My journey spans from hands-on engineering to executive leadership at companies ranging from startups to billion-dollar enterprises.
What drives me is proven success in organizational transformation, cross-functional execution, and product-led growth. I'm passionate about driving operational excellence, innovation, and business value through engineering teams that don't just scale—they thrive under pressure.
Leadership Philosophy
Pragmatic, people-first, grounded in metrics. I believe in empowering engineers while removing blockers and setting a high bar for technical excellence. I've consistently led initiatives that balance long-term sustainability with short-term velocity, all while fostering an inclusive and high-trust team culture.
Notable Achievements
Engineering Transformation
RecentDoubled engineering team with 93% offer acceptance, introduced DRE (Directly Responsible Engineer) framework, redefined execution culture
Impact: Significant velocity improvement, fewer incidents, and reduced bugs through AI automation
Growth Engine Architect
Multi-companyArchitected and commanded growth engines at REX Homes, SpareFoot, MasterClass, and Faire during hypergrowth phases
Impact: Responsible for SEO & Martech at some billion dollar companies
Platform Modernization
Multi-companyBuilt unified user platform for 20+ Condé Nast brands handling authentication, authorization, user generated content, digital entitlement and customer engagement. Led MasterClass martech platform modernization
Impact: Modernized user experience infrastructure across millions of users
Marketplace Expertise
Career-wideDeep expertise across 6 diverse marketplaces: PetRelocation (pet services), SpareFoot (self-storage), TripAdvisor (vacation rentals), REX Homes (real estate), Faire (retail/brands), and Proof (legal services)
Impact: 3 reached billion-dollar valuations, most achieved 50%+ YoY growth
Revenue Acceleration
Career-wideEngineered high-impact revenue systems combining automation, precision customer targeting, and systematic experimentation
Impact: Delivered up to 10x revenue improvements across multiple companies
Beyond the Numbers
Marketplace Expertise
Deep experience with two-sided platforms at Faire, MasterClass, REX Homes, and others. I understand the unique engineering challenges that make or break marketplace businesses.
Mentorship Impact
Mentored 20+ engineering leaders through critical transitions, helping them navigate the complex challenges of scaling teams and building sustainable cultures.
Investment Perspective
As Venture Partner at a top-tier VC, I evaluate technical due diligence, giving me unique insights into what makes engineering organizations investable.
Credentials & Recognition
“I'm drawn to environments where engineering is a strategic partner, where growth is thoughtful and sustainable, and where there's a strong sense of mission driving the work.”
Let's Build Something Great Together
If you're looking for a leader who can scale teams without breaking them, sharpen execution while maintaining quality, and coach others to do the best work of their careers, let's connect.
Get in Touch