From helping her uncle grade math tests in Brazil to studying statistics at one of the country’s most competitive universities, Thais Barbosa has always been drawn to numbers.
But her journey has never been just about equations or analysis. For Thais, analytics is about driving impact and identifying opportunities to change peoples’ lives. Today, as a Lead Data Analyst at ChimeⓇ, she’s helping shape products that expand access to financial tools for millions of Chime members—while staying true to her roots and values.
We sat down with Thais to learn about her career, Latin American Heritage, and leadership.
Q: What first drew you to analytics?
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved math. After studying statistics and working as a statistician, I eventually found analytics to be the perfect intersection of what I studied and what I enjoy. I love that it allows me to keep learning about new industries while applying my skills in ways that directly impact people. At Chime, our team is always looking for opportunities to improve our members’ experiences, and that’s meaningful.
Q: What drew you to Chime?
Throughout the interview process, the more I talked to people, the more I realized how deeply they cared about helping Chime’s members. I could see how meaningful the work was, and I wanted to be part of it—helping others achieve what I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve myself.
Q: Tell us about your role. What excites you most about your work?
I focus on understanding our members—how they’re using Chime and how we can expand what we offer to better meet their needs. I’m excited by the opportunity to help members access more of the products they rely on. In analytics, it’s not always easy to tie your work directly to outcomes, but on our team we can actually quantify our impact, which makes it even more rewarding.
Q: How does your Brazilian heritage shape your work?
Brazilians are hardworking, but we also know when to stop and enjoy life. That balance matters. And because we’re such a friendly culture, relationships are really important to me, even at work. I always try to see the person behind the professional. When I understand where someone is coming from, it makes our collaboration and decision-making abilities so much stronger.
Q: What values do you carry into your leadership?
Diversity. Brazil is an incredibly diverse place, and that shaped me into who I am today. I want to make sure different voices are always represented, because it exposes blind spots and leads to better outcomes.
Q: How do you bring your heritage to work?
I’m always talking about Brazil—sharing how things might be different (or similar!) there. At Chime, our Chimer Resource Group, Chimigos, gives me a community where I can connect with people who share those experiences.