Meet the Team: Breno Wicthoff Pinheiro

How long have you been working for Cleverbit?

1 year and 9 months.

What is your role at Cleverbit?

Senior Business Intelligence Developer.

How would you describe your job to someone without a technical background?

I am responsible for translating raw data that is collected from multiple sources into meaningful insights which help businesses make informed decisions. I do this by designing and building interactive reports and dashboards that make complex information easy to understand. Essentially, I turn numbers into clear stories that help companies grow and improve.

What’s your earliest tech-related memory?

My father was an early adopter of PCs and the internet when it first arrived in Brazil, so he introduced me to technology from a very young age. One of my earliest tech-related memories was playing the Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace PC game with him. At the time, I was just becoming a big Star Wars fan, and having such an immersive experience in that universe was mind-blowing. It sparked my passion for gaming and technology as a whole, and it also motivated me to learn English so I could fully understand everything that was going on.

Did you always know you wanted to work in tech?

Not really. I always knew technology would play a big role in my life, but initially my studies in international management and business weren’t specifically focused on tech. Eventually, I realized I could gradually move into tech-related roles that leveraged my business background. This approach allowed me to gain the necessary experience to dive deeper into data and analytics, combining the best of both worlds.

Describe your day-to-day routine if you have one

I like to get up really early and walk my dogs while it’s still a bit dark outside. Starting the day with fresh air and hearing the birds break the silence is something I truly enjoy. After feeding my dogs and cats, I have breakfast and start working. My day usually wraps up with watching some TV shows with my wife, followed by one last walk with the dogs.

People who work with tech can be superstitious. Do you have a favourite computer superstition or ritual?

To be honest I’m not very superstitious, but I do have a personal ritual: I don’t trust my memory completely, so I take a lot of notes. Over time, I’ve experimented with all sorts of apps and software to stay organized, but, funnily enough, what ended up working best for me was good old-fashioned pen and paper. There’s something reassuring about physically writing things down that just clicks for me.

Who is your professional hero?

My grandfather. He was a Public Prosecutor back in Brazil, and he taught me so much about what it means to be a good person - not just professionally, but personally as well. He also showed me the importance of education for building a successful career and how it can open countless doors. Following his advice played a huge part in getting me to where I am today, and I’m truly grateful for that.

How did you end up working at Cleverbit?

I moved from Brazil to Lisbon, Portugal, in 2021, while still working remotely for a Brazilian company. Being an EU resident made it easier for Cleverbit to approach me with exciting new challenges involving international clients. Right from the first interview, I connected with the company’s culture and immediately felt it was the right move. Today, I’m very glad I took that opportunity.

Is there a project that you’ve worked on at Cleverbit that really stood out to you for whatever reason?

Yes. When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time watching my father play Flight Simulator on his PC, and that sparked an early interest in the engineering side of aviation. At Cleverbit, I’ve had the opportunity to work on several projects for Malta International Airport, which reignited that childhood connection. One project that particularly stood out was developing an Incidents Report - it was incredibly engaging and fun to be part of.

What’s the office culture like at Cleverbit?

The office culture is great. I feel that Cleverbit is able to not only find people that are great in technical terms, but also great people to work and connect with. Another really positive aspect is that the organisation is fairly horizontal, so you always feel that you are able to reach the leaders of the company and be heard by them.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

As I mentioned, I’ve always had a special connection with aviation, so one profession I’ve considered in the past was becoming a commercial pilot. While I’m extremely happy with my current career and wouldn’t want to change it, who knows? Maybe after retiring, I might finally pursue a pilot’s licence and fulfil that childhood dream.