Tania Silva Zárate

Share your journey to Bain.

Before joining Bain, my work was rooted in public policy consulting, with a focus on national security and justice. Alongside that work, I was always curious about data and how it could be used to better understand complex public-sector challenges.

That curiosity began in university, where I started analyzing government data and exploring how technology could inform better policy decisions. As AI gained momentum in 2023, I began building solutions out of pure curiosity – an experience that quickly clarified my desire to pivot my career toward AI.

When I came across the opportunity at Bain on LinkedIn, it felt like the right moment to make that shift. I applied, genuinely enjoyed the interview process, and ultimately joined Bain to pursue this path at scale.

How did you know that Bain was the right company for you?

From my very first interview with HR, something immediately felt right. Throughout the hiring process, I had the opportunity to connect with several senior leaders within PPK, all of whom were open, approachable, and transparent about expectations. They were also genuinely curious about how my background in public policy could add value to the practice, which made the conversations especially engaging.

When I later joined the Mexico City office, everything clicked. From my initial conversations with the office leadership to my experience working with the AI, Insights & Solutions team, the culture stood out as collaborative, supportive, and intellectually stimulating. The combination of Bain’s people, culture, and the AIS practice confirmed that this was the right place for me.

Do you feel like you can do impactful work at Bain? What opportunities excite you?

Absolutely! At Bain, I’ve been able to work on problems that genuinely matter, alongside people I constantly learn from. I’m especially excited by the opportunity to apply AI and data to complex challenges and see that work translate into better decisions for clients.

The opportunities that excite me most are specializing in AI for the Retail and Consumer Products industries, continuing to deepen my technical skills in AI, and partnering closely not only with the AI, Insights & Solutions team, but also with the broader PPK team.

“Build Your Own Bain” means creating a thriving career on your own terms. How have you been able to “Build Your Own Bain?”

I’ve built my own Bain by actively seeking diverse experiences and consistently pushing myself to think beyond boundaries. I’ve been intentional about connecting with senior colleagues and learning from their perspectives, which has opened up valuable development opportunities.

I’ve also taken full advantage of the Mexico City office’s breadth of expertise, where there is nearly one PPK person per industry and capability. This exposure has given me a comprehensive view of Bain’s work and enabled me to build strong cross-practice relationships, including opportunities to work across teams and offices.

Share some of your favorite work (personal or professional) you’ve done while at Bain.

My favorite work within the AIS practice has been developing AI solutions that streamline workflows and allow teams to focus on higher-value problem solving. I enjoy designing tools and approaches that make our work more efficient and impactful.

In the Mexico City office, I’ve also enjoyed leading regional initiatives to strengthen collaboration across teams. In parallel, I’ve had the opportunity to teach peers Python and support the development of custom GPTs, which has been especially rewarding. Seeing teams use the tools we build and apply them in their day-to-day work has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time at Bain.

In your first year at Bain, you received the Product, Practice & Knowledge (PPK) Award – could you share the story behind that recognition?

Sure. I was genuinely surprised – and very grateful – to receive the PPK Award in my first year at Bain. If there’s a common thread behind it, it’s curiosity. I’m naturally curious about how things work and, just as much, about the people I work with. I enjoy asking questions, understanding different perspectives, and partnering with others to make sense of complex problems.

That curiosity has shown up in many ways: supporting teammates on tricky requests, taking the time to explain the “why” behind a solution, leading AI initiatives, and creating trainings and resources to help others feel more comfortable with new tools. I’ve also really enjoyed getting involved in onboarding and team initiatives in the Mexico City office, where building connections is just as important as delivering results.

To be honest, none of this would have been possible without the support of the AIS leadership team, who consistently look for ways to help me grow, learn, and stay engaged. To me, the award represents that combination of curiosity, collaboration, and a genuine desire to help others succeed – plus a lot of learning along the way!

What’s one skill you’ve found especially critical to success in your role, and why?

One skill that’s been especially important in my role is being proactive while staying adaptable and open – which, in practice, means being comfortable figuring things out as I go. Much of my impact has come from spotting opportunities early, taking ownership, and adjusting as priorities, tools, or team needs evolve.

As I continue building my career at Bain, I try to remain open to feedback and different ways of working. That openness has helped me learn quickly, collaborate effectively, and add real value.