Maria Pilar Bifaretti entered Columbia University School of Professional Studies’ M.S. in Applied Analytics program with a background in innovation consulting and a growing interest in the role of data in business decision-making. Since graduating, she has applied the program’s lessons in product strategy and pricing work at Mars, drawing on analytics, business context, and communication to translate insights into action.
In this Q&A, Bifaretti reflects on her path from innovation to analytics, the lessons she carried from Columbia SPS into her career, and why communication remains one of the most important skills an analyst can develop.
Could you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to pursue the M.S. in Applied Analytics at Columbia SPS?
My undergraduate background is in international business, and I began my career in innovation consulting, working with clients across a variety of industries to help them identify growth opportunities and think about what should come next for their businesses.
Much of that work relied on qualitative insights, but I increasingly found myself drawn to the role data could play in shaping better decisions. I saw analytics as a skill set that would complement my strategic background and help me bring greater rigor to business problem-solving.
What attracted me to Columbia's M.S. in Applied Analytics was its balance between technical analytics and business application. I wasn't looking to become a pure technologist. I wanted to stay close to business needs and learn how to use analytics as a tool for decision-making and value creation. The program offered exactly that blend of technical depth and business relevance.
Before coming to Columbia, you worked in innovation and strategy roles across a variety of industries. What motivated you to deepen your analytics expertise, and how did you see data fitting into that work?
In innovation and strategy, you're constantly making decisions about where to invest, which opportunities to pursue, and how to create competitive advantage. Analytics provides the evidence needed to make those decisions with greater confidence.
I viewed analytics not as an end goal but as a means to drive business outcomes. Data can help uncover opportunities, validate ideas, and identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. At the same time, data alone is rarely enough. One of the lessons that has stayed with me throughout my career is that insights only create value when they can be translated into a compelling story that drives action.
The combination of analytics, business acumen, and communication is what turns information into impact.
How did the Applied Analytics program help you bridge technical skills and business decision-making?
The program provided a strong foundation in analytics while consistently emphasizing business application. Beyond learning technical concepts, I developed a structured approach to problem-solving: understanding what questions to ask, what data matters, and how to translate findings into actionable recommendations.
I continue to apply those skills today, whether it's automating processes, improving decision-making, or approaching business challenges from a different perspective. The program also gave me a solid analytical foundation that has become even more valuable in today's AI-driven environment.
Most importantly, it taught me that the goal isn't to generate more data; it's to generate better insights that drive better decisions.
Were there any courses, projects, faculty members, or experiences at SPS that had a particularly strong impact on you?
Two courses stand out in particular.
Storytelling with Data and AI reinforced something I learned early in my consulting career: insights only matter if they're communicated effectively. The course taught me how to tailor messages to different audiences and present complex information in a way that drives action and business impact.
The Applied Machine Learning I and II courses were especially impactful because I entered the program without a formal analytics background. These courses provided a strong foundation in machine learning while balancing theory with hands-on application. That combination made the concepts much more approachable and gave me the confidence to apply them in real-world settings.
Since graduating, you've worked in product strategy and pricing roles at Mars. How are you applying what you learned in the program to your current work?
I apply what I learned at Columbia almost every day. While the technical skills have been valuable, the biggest impact has come from the broader toolkit the program provided.
The program strengthened my ability to solve problems in a structured way, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and translate data into actionable business recommendations. Those skills are critical when entering a new role, navigating a new industry, or influencing cross-functional teams.
I've also found that the ability to combine analytical thinking with strong communication skills creates a meaningful advantage. Organizations need people who can not only generate insights but also help others understand what those insights mean and what actions should follow.
Your career has spanned innovation, strategy, analytics, and product-focused roles. How do you think analytics helps organizations make better decisions in today's business environment?
Analytics helps organizations move from intuition-based decisions to evidence-based decisions. In today's environment, businesses have access to more data than ever before, but having data is not the same as having clarity.
The real value comes from knowing what data matters, how to interpret it, and how to translate it into decisions that drive results. That's where analytics plays a critical role.
Looking across my career, the most valuable lesson from the Applied Analytics program wasn't any single technical skill; it was learning how to connect data, business context, and communication.
What advice would you give to prospective students who are considering the Applied Analytics program?
My biggest piece of advice is to take full advantage of the people around you. The relationships you build with classmates, faculty, and alumni can be just as valuable as the lessons you learn in the classroom.
About the Program
Columbia University’s Master of Science in Applied Analytics prepares students with the practical data and leadership skills to succeed. The program combines in-depth knowledge of data analytics with the leadership, management, and communication principles and tactics necessary to impact decision-making across industries and organizational functions.
Learn more about the program here. The program is available full-time and part-time, online and on-campus.
