We were lucky to catch up with Kristina Pineda recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristina, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I didn’t find my purpose all at once — it unfolded over time, shaped by experiences that challenged me, broke me down, and ultimately clarified what truly mattered.
In June 2024, I made the decision to start my own company, GatherOS.ai, an AI-powered event sourcing and management platform. On the surface, it looked like a bold career move. Underneath, it was the culmination of years of lessons about resilience, service, and faith.
From the ages of 29 to 36, I battled breast cancer. Those years taught me how to sit with uncertainty and how to keep moving forward when life doesn’t go according to plan. Cancer stripped away any illusion of control and forced me to develop resilience — not just the kind that pushes through, but the kind that learns, adapts, and endures. It was a tough fight, and there were moments when the future felt incredibly fragile. Looking back, I truly believe a higher power kept me here for a reason — to serve a purpose bigger than myself.
That sense of purpose became even clearer after my father passed away in September 2023. His loss was a turning point. Many people thought I was crazy for leaving a high-paying job in biotech, especially after everything I had already been through. But grief has a way of sharpening your perspective. It made me ask myself a simple question: If not now, when?
Growing up, both of my parents were small business owners. I witnessed firsthand the emotional, mental, and physical roller coasters that came with building something from nothing. I also saw the pride, fulfillment, and deep sense of ownership that came with it. Those early memories stayed with me — even when I took what looked like a safer, more traditional career path.
Starting GatherOS felt like coming full circle. It wasn’t just about building a company; it was about building something that could genuinely help small businesses navigate complexity, reduce friction, and thrive. Every challenge I faced — illness, loss, fear, and uncertainty — quietly prepared me for this moment.
I found my purpose by listening closely to my life’s hardest lessons and trusting that they were pointing me toward something meaningful. Today, I’m building not just a platform, but a mission rooted in resilience, service, and honoring the sacrifices that came before me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m the founder of GatherOS.ai, an AI-powered event sourcing and management platform that connects corporate teams with small businesses that offer event space and services. We officially incorporated in June 2024, and since then, my focus has been on building something that removes friction from event planning while creating meaningful opportunities for local businesses.
What excites me most about GatherOS is the way it bridges two worlds that don’t always work seamlessly together. On one side are corporate teams — executive assistants and event planners — who are under constant pressure to move fast, manage details, and deliver memorable experiences. On the other side are small business owners who offer incredible venues, private dining, team-building experiences, and services, but often lack the tools or visibility to access corporate demand. GatherOS is designed to meet both where they are and make that connection easier, smarter, and more human.
At its core, GatherOS helps corporate teams source, organize, and execute events more efficiently, while helping small businesses get discovered and booked without the usual back-and-forth. We’re building with a deep appreciation for how time-consuming and fragmented event planning can be, and with a strong belief that technology should simplify — not complicate — the process.
Right now, we’re especially excited to begin welcoming beta partners. We’re opening early access to corporate executive assistants, event planners, and vendors who want to help shape the future of how events are sourced and managed. Our initial launch will focus on the San Francisco Bay Area, with plans to expand into other high conference-activity cities as we grow.
GatherOS is still early, but it’s deeply rooted in community, collaboration, and resilience. More than anything, we’re building a platform that honors the people behind every event — the planners, the operators, and the small business owners who make meaningful experiences possible.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, there are three qualities and areas of experience that have been the most impactful in my journey: diverse work experience, a growth mindset rooted in strategic thinking, and resilience.
First, diverse work experience.
I began my career as a business analyst, which trained me to think analytically, ask the right questions, and understand how systems actually work. From there, I moved into sales and business development, where I learned how to communicate value, build relationships, and navigate ambiguity. I also spent several years working at early-stage startups between 2012 and 2017, which gave me firsthand exposure to building from the ground up. Each role added a different lens, and together they created a well-rounded foundation that I rely on daily as a founder.
My advice to people early in their journey is to avoid rushing into a narrow path too quickly. Early career exploration is powerful. Each role teaches you something different, and those lessons compound in ways you often don’t recognize until much later.
Second, a growth mindset paired with strategic thinking.
Working across functions and in fast-moving startup environments conditioned me to stay curious, adaptable, and solutions-oriented. I learned how to zoom out to see the bigger picture while also zooming in on execution. A growth mindset isn’t just about optimism — it’s about being willing to learn, unlearn, and adjust your strategy as new information emerges.
For those starting out, I’d encourage you to ask “why” often, seek feedback early, and view mistakes as data rather than failures. Strategic thinking develops over time, but curiosity accelerates it.
Third, resilience.
Resilience has been the thread that connects everything. Startups are unpredictable, careers are nonlinear, and life will inevitably throw curveballs. My professional experiences — combined with personal challenges — taught me how to keep moving forward when outcomes aren’t guaranteed. Resilience isn’t about pushing through at all costs; it’s about adapting, recalibrating, and staying committed to your long-term vision even when the short-term is uncomfortable.
My advice here is simple but not easy: build resilience intentionally. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you, take care of your mental and physical health, and remind yourself why you started when things get hard.
Together, these three qualities — diverse experience, growth-oriented strategic thinking, and resilience — have shaped how I lead, build, and continue to evolve on my journey.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was teaching me values through both their words and their actions — especially the importance of character, work ethic, and personal responsibility.
My parents divorced when I was just one year old, and my mother remarried when I was four. My stepfather didn’t have children of his own, yet he took my sibling and I in as his own without hesitation. I’m deeply grateful for him, because I know taking on two stepchildren was no easy feat. He showed up consistently, led by example, and helped shape the foundation of who I am today.
Growing up, there were three sayings my parents repeated often, and they stayed with me well into adulthood: “Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are,” “If you’re going to do something, do it right,” and “Mind your p’s and q’s.” Those simple phrases became guideposts as I navigated my formative years, influencing how I chose relationships, approached responsibilities, and carried myself in the world. I still try to live by those lessons today.
Another defining lesson came from what my parents didn’t give me. They never handed things over on a silver platter, even when it would have been easy to do so. When I turned 16, they surprised me with a weekend trip to Yosemite. We hiked to the waterfalls, and took photos that couldn’t possibly capture the beauty of the landscape. On the drive home, I was quietly convinced that when we pulled into the driveway, there would be my first car waiting for me — wrapped in a bow, just like my friends had predicted.
There was no car in the driveway. No car in the garage either.
When my mom asked if I enjoyed the trip, I broke down in tears. Sitting at the kitchen table, my mom and stepdad explained that instead of buying me a car outright, they had put money into my account. I had two choices: use it toward a car, or get a summer job and work toward buying a car I really wanted.
At the time, I was disappointed. In hindsight, I’m incredibly grateful.
That summer, I got a job and worked toward my first car. Because I earned part of it myself, I appreciated it in a way I never would have otherwise. More importantly, I learned that effort creates ownership — and that lesson has stayed with me throughout my life and career.
My parents didn’t just prepare me for adulthood; they prepared me to build something of my own. The values they instilled — integrity, discipline, and work ethic — continue to guide me in everything I do today.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://gatheros.ai
- Instagram: @gatheros.ai
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristinalramos
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinarp
- Other: https://www.crunchbase.com/person/kristina-pineda
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