Raiza Cortes Hernandez on building a better future
When Raiza Cortes Hernandez joined Atamate in April 2025 as a Delivery Manager, she brought with her a rare combination of skills that's already transforming how the company operates.
With a background spanning computer science, systems engineering, and over a decade of experience bridging the gap between hardware and software, Raiza represents exactly the kind of strategic thinker that growing tech companies need.
Raiza's journey to Atamate began on a small island in the Caribbean. Growing up in Puerto Rico, she never imagined she'd end up in London, working at the intersection of sustainability and technology.
But life had other plans…
After meeting her German husband, she found herself on a path that would take her from the US government's R&D sector to Berlin's startup scene, and eventually to seven years at Deloitte Digital's ventures division in London.
What makes Raiza's background particularly valuable is its breadth. She started as an IT engineer delivering solutions for US government clients, where she learned to architect complex systems using available hardware and software components.
Over seven years, she progressed from junior engineer to IT project manager, earning a systems engineering degree along the way. This foundation in seeing the whole picture, rather than just individual pieces, has become her professional hallmark.
At Atamate, Raiza has quickly expanded beyond her initial delivery management role. While she still focuses on optimising the software team's day-to-day processes, she now examines the business as a whole, including hardware processes, system processes, and support functions.
Her goal is straightforward but ambitious: make everything more efficient.
The flexibility she's been given to identify and solve key problems has allowed her to implement changes that the team has already benefited from, with new processes and system improvements showing tangible results.
The decision to join Atamate was driven by three factors that aligned perfectly with Raiza's values and ambitions.
- She's deeply passionate about environmental issues, motivated by a desire to create a better world for her daughter and future generations.
- She saw an opportunity to work directly with founders on strategic decisions, something that's difficult to achieve in larger organisations.
- Atamate offered her the rare chance to apply her expertise in both hardware and software simultaneously, a combination she'd struggled to find elsewhere in her career.
Working directly with the COO and engaging in strategic thinking about the company's direction has been particularly exciting for Raiza. She thrives on the challenge of change management, navigating the natural friction that comes with implementing new processes.
Her approach has been notably smooth, introducing improvements without generating significant pushback from the team, a testament to her people skills and thoughtful implementation strategies.
When asked about her vision for Atamate's impact, Raiza's answer is characteristically ambitious yet grounded: she'd love to see the system in every building possible.
For her, it's not just about reducing costs for businesses; it's about fundamentally reducing resource consumption. Given that buildings are among the largest energy consumers, the potential for impact is enormous.
Currently, she's involved in developing the new Wall Sensor Unit for the student accommodation market, a project that promises more accurate readings for temperature, occupancy, and noise levels.
Beyond her professional expertise, Raiza brings a global perspective shaped by her multicultural journey.
She loves London for its diversity, the endless activities, world-class theater, and international cuisine. Yet she still misses Puerto Rico's beaches, her family, and of course, the food (if anyone knows a good Puerto Rican restaurant in London, she'd love to hear about it). At home, she and her husband are raising their daughter to speak three languages: Spanish, German, and English.
As Atamate continues to grow, Raiza's systems-thinking approach and passion for efficiency will be central to that journey. Her vision is clear: smarter buildings, reduced waste, and a lighter footprint on the planet. For her daughter's sake, and for all of ours, she's determined to make it happen.
Want to see how Atamate can help you waste less energy and improve air quality? Book a call with Joe.