Bruno Sánchez‑Andrade Nuño, PhD
brunosan@gmail.com | brunosan.eu
Executive leader in AI and global impact with 20+ years of experience building and scaling data and analytics platforms across industry, government, and non-profit sectors. Proven track record of translating cutting-edge research into operational products, leading diverse teams, and delivering responsible AI solutions with measurable business value — from driving enterprise-wide AI transformation inside one of the world’s largest companies to raising $15M to push the frontier of AI for Earth with nimble, high-impact teams.
enterprise AI transformation inside one of the world’s biggest companies
Professional Experience
Lgnd.io — Co‑Founder & Chief Scientist (2024–Present)
- Building AI to index Earth — making the planet’s data searchable, discoverable and usable.
- Raised $9 M in seed funding from top‑tier investors.
- Leading the scientific direction of geo‑embedding research and large‑scale AI infrastructure for planetary intelligence.
- Guiding cross‑functional teams across continents to build enterprise‑grade AI infrastructure, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure and aligned with responsible‑AI principles.
- Developing partnerships with industry and government to commercialize AI‑powered products and deliver business impact.
Clay — Executive Director & Co‑Founder (2023–Present)
- Non‑profit initiative to make open AI models that understand Earth — open‑source, open‑data and open for business.
- Raised $6 M in venture philanthropy to build the Clay foundation model for Earth data.
- Leading vision, governance and technical development.
- Driving global open‑source collaboration, community adoption and responsible AI governance to ensure inclusive participation and trust.
- Advised clients including the World Bank, Mapbox, National Geographic, Inmarsat, HUB Ocean, Jefa and Satellogic.
- Delivered projects on AI, data architecture, public policy and entrepreneurship across 10+ countries.
- Authored Impact Science — a methodology for turning research into measurable environmental and social breakthroughs.
- Designed and implemented data‑ and AI‑driven strategies for clients spanning finance, retail, telecom and government, managing multi‑million‑dollar budgets and distributed teams to deliver measurable outcomes.
- Founded and directed the creation of Microsoft’s Planetary Computer, from strategy to engineering execution.
- Oversaw hiring, partnerships and budget for the global AI for Earth platform.
- Managed the transition and sunset of the $50 M+ “AI for Earth” program.
- Led the architectural design and deployment of a cloud‑scale AI platform used by researchers, commercial entities and NGOs, integrating responsible AI frameworks and ensuring compliance with governance policies.
- Oversaw a global team of experts across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Satellogic — VP, Social Impact (2017–2019)
- Designed strategies to leverage high‑resolution Earth observation for social and environmental good.
- Supported hyperspectral analytics for sustainability applications.
- Collaborated with international partners and guided a multi‑disciplinary team across continents to deploy remote‑sensing analytics in commercial and humanitarian contexts.
World Bank — Data Scientist, Innovation Labs (2015–2017)
- Led technical operations for global big‑data programs across multiple regions.
- Managed a 20‑project portfolio totaling over $500 M in innovation initiatives.
- Served in the President’s Delivery Unit and advised senior leadership on data‑driven development.
- Executed transformation projects that delivered data‑driven insights across global operations, working with cross‑functional teams and diverse stakeholders.
Mapbox — Chief Scientist (2013–2015)
- Directed scientific and satellite work across a 10× scaling period (Series A → Series B).
- Advised global enterprise clients and advanced remote‑sensing initiatives.
- Ongoing investor and advisor.
- Led the scientific direction during a rapid growth phase, shaping the organization’s data architecture and AI strategy.
- Led development of the Global Adaptation Index (GAIN) for climate resilience assessment.
- Visiting Scholar at the Environmental Change Initiative, University of Notre Dame.
US Naval Research Laboratory — NASA Contractor & Research Assistant Professor (2008–2010)
- Worked in the Space Science Division on satellite and rocket missions.
- Specialized in calibration, data analysis and scientific visualization.
Education
- Ph.D. in Solar Physics, Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Germany (2005–2008)
- M.Sc. in Astrophysics, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain (1999–2004)
- B.A. in Physics, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain (1999–2003)
- Mirzayan S&T Policy Fellow, US National Academies of Science (2010)
Executive Education
- Princeton University — Leadership in Energy Innovation (2018)
- Harvard Kennedy School — Global Leadership & Public Policy for the 21st Century (2017)
- Stanford GSB & Stanford Earth — Transformative Leadership for Sustainability (2016)
- Oxford Saïd Business School — Transformational Leadership (2015)
- Yale SOM — Strategic Impact Leadership (2014)
Publications
Volunteer Work
- Expert Reviewer — Global Teacher Prize, Earthshot Prize, several venture capital firms (including dual‑use technology funds).
- Elected Member, Council for Foreign Residents — Spanish Consulate, Washington DC (2009–2016)
- Founding Member — ECUSA (Spanish Scientists in the USA) (2015–2016)
- Project Manager — AEGEE (European Students’ Forum) (2003–2008)
- Civil Protection Volunteer — Gijón Fire & Rescue (2001–2004)
Languages
- Fluent: English, Spanish
- Intermediate: French
- Basic: German, Danish