His background combines formal education, experience at large companies, and an entrepreneurial spirit that has led him to innovate in various fields.
Choosing Between a Bachelor's Degree and an Engineering Degree
Early in his academic career, Gabriel faced a crucial decision: whether to pursue a degree in Systems Engineering or a Bachelor’s degree in Systems. Guided by his interest in team management, work methodologies, and a more business-oriented approach, he chose the Bachelor’s degree in Systems, which allowed him to focus on leadership and strategy in the tech industry.
Throughout his career, he balanced his studies with his work, applying the knowledge he gained in class to his job.“Each course provided me with tools I could put into practice the very next day at the office, improving processes and optimizing the team’s work,” Labrada notes. This synergy between the classroom and the workplace bolstered his professional development and allowed him to advance rapidly in his career.
From digital payments to email marketing
After graduating, Gabriel worked at Evertec, a payment processing company with an international presence, where he led the engineering team in the acquiring division.
His experience in digital payments gave him an understanding of the scale and complexity of global financial systems. He then made the leap into the world of email marketing by joining Campaign Monitor, a U.S.-based company with operations in Uruguay, where he worked in an entirely English-speaking environment—a turning point in his career.
Training as a Path to Leadership
While working at Campaign Monitor, Gabriel decided to further his education by pursuing an MBA at ORT. This graduate program provided him with key tools for understanding how business, marketing, and finance work.
"The MBA helped me understand business structure and capital management, which are essential for leading a startup," he explains.
From Employee to Entrepreneur
His interest in entrepreneurship led him to found a music school in Uruguay, which is now the largest in the country, with three locations and hundreds of students.
This successful venture gave him the freedom to take risks and venture into the world of tech startups.
Leading in a Remote World
Today, Gabriel is a director at an artificial intelligence startup based in San Francisco, backed by giants such as Salesforce and Atlassian.
Based in Uruguay, he leads a globally distributed team, which requires strong written communication skills, cultural adaptability, and the ability to work asynchronously.
"Remote work isn't for everyone. You need to be self-reliant, able to handle ambiguity, and communicate clearly and effectively," he notes.
The Importance of Soft Skills
Gabriel emphasizes that technical skills are essential, but that leadership in technology requires strong development of soft skills.
"Managing ambiguity is key in a rapidly changing environment like the tech industry. Often, you don't have all the answers, but it's essential to know how to make informed decisions and adapt quickly," he says.
He also emphasizes the importance of written communication, especially in a remote work environment: "Eighty percent of the communication in my job is written. Knowing how to structure ideas effectively, convey information clearly, and avoid misunderstandings is essential."
Another key skill is the ability to learn quickly.
"Technology is constantly evolving, and intellectual curiosity is an invaluable asset. Those who stay up to date and maintain a mindset of continuous learning will have a competitive advantage."
He also mentions the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy: "Leading global teams means understanding different cultures and work styles. Knowing how to listen and connect with people makes a big difference."
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work
The startup where he works develops no-code solutions that enable companies to automate their workflows without the need for programming. These tools allow companies to model and execute complex business processes without requiring advanced technical knowledge.
The platform makes it easy to create customized workflows for various industries, ranging from human resources management to operations management in large corporations.
"Our software enables companies to intuitively define and optimize processes, reducing costs and increasing operational efficiency. By integrating artificial intelligence, we are able to automate repetitive tasks and improve real-time decision-making," explains Labrada.
Thanks to these capabilities, his startup was able to attract major clients such as Salesforce, Airbnb, and other global companies looking to improve their efficiency through the use of artificial intelligence.
In 2021 , the startup raised $12 million in a Series A funding round, backed by prominent investors such as Salesforce and Atlassian.
"Securing this funding allowed us to scale up our product, expand our team, and continue innovating in the field of artificial intelligence applied to process automation," says Labrada.
The investment enabled the company to continue developing new features and improve integration with other business platforms.
"The future of artificial intelligence lies not only in content generation, but also in the creation of autonomous agents that optimize complex tasks."
Tips for Future Professionals
For those who dream of leading global projects from Uruguay, Labrada recommends focusing on developing soft skills such as effective communication, managing ambiguity, and rapid learning.
"The world of technology is constantly changing. The key is to be curious, learn quickly, and be willing to adapt," he concludes.
Learn more about the Bachelor's Degree in Systems