“Why are you talking about drones if you’re a lawyer from the Dominican Republic? You should just go home and leave it to us to figure out.”
This was society’s message to Paola Santana, an extreme innovator and exponential thinker, when she dove into the world of technology in 2010.
Dealing with imposter syndrome early on, she often felt like she shouldn’t be talking about a technology she didn’t fully understand. But Paola realized something profound: in its early stages, nobody else knew much about drones or their potential either. In the early days of innovation, no one knows everything.
Instead of letting doubt hold her back, Paola embraced the uncertainty—a key trait of exponential thinking—and dedicated herself to creating solutions where none existed.
A Vision Rooted in Purpose
Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Paola grew up witnessing the barriers created by poverty and inequality. She pursued law and politics, earning a law degree plus an LL.M. from George Washington University Law School. However, working in these fields left her disillusioned by inefficiency and slow progress. Determined to make a greater impact, she pivoted toward technology—a space she believed could catalyze the change she sought to create.
I had the privilege of meeting Paola at Singularity University, where we were both immersed in a community of innovators passionate about solving humanity’s greatest challenges. Paola’s vision and drive stood out. Her ability to connect exponential technologies to real-world problems was inspiring, and her journey has stayed with me.
Revolutionizing Logistics with Drones
In 2011, Paola co-founded Matternet, a company that pioneered drone delivery networks with a focus on saving lives. Matternet’s drones transported blood samples between hospitals, delivered critical medical supplies to remote areas, and filled infrastructure gaps in places like Malawi, where traditional systems failed.
The bold vision of this company earned key partnerships with Mercedes-Benz, Boeing, NASA, the FAA, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These collaborations proved that drones weren’t just innovative tools—they were life-saving systems capable of transforming industries.
Empowering Small Businesses with Glass
Today, Paola leads Glass, a groundbreaking venture focused on transforming government systems. Glass leverages AI-powered software to digitize and streamline government processes, tackling inefficiencies and creating opportunities for those historically left out of the system.
One of Glass’s most ambitious goals is to integrate 32 million small businesses into the government economy—many of which have been excluded from opportunities due to outdated systems. By empowering small businesses to thrive, Glass contributes to global progress and ensures that innovation reaches every corner of society.
Paola’s journey is proof that innovation knows no boundaries—not geography, not gender, and certainly not self-doubt. Her exponential mindset, shaped by her experiences as a Fulbright scholar, lawyer, and technology pioneer, continues to redefine what’s possible.
A Call to Exponential Thinking
Her story isn’t just inspiring; it’s a call to action.
No matter where you are in your journey, you too can practice exponential thinking. This mindset encourages the pursuit of breakthrough ideas and requires disrupting your current self to create your future self.
It’s not about waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about taking bold action now, learning as you go, and believing in the possibility of something greater.
Exponential thinking challenges us to reimagine what’s possible, not just for ourselves but for the world around us. Paola Santana’s journey serves as a shining example of how embracing uncertainty and pursuing bold ideas can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
What bold step will you take today?