Natacha Altamirano completed her PhD at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Now she is the Senior Director of the Data Science team at Birch Hill Equity Partners.
Perimeter Institute alumni have gone on to a wide variety of roles after leaving the Institute. Natacha Altamirano’s PhD in physics gave her an appreciation for analytical problem-solving and an ease when dealing with complexity, and these are two skills she’s now applying to private equity. We reached out to Natacha to learn more about her journey.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
What is your current role, and how are you trying to push boundaries in your field?
I am currently a Senior Director in the Data Science team at Birch Hill Equity Partners, a private equity firm based in Toronto. Since joining in 2019, I’ve supported the team's evolution from a small analytical group into a strategic function of almost 30 professionals deeply embedded in the firm’s value creation efforts.
Pushing boundaries has meant bringing data-driven thinking into areas historically guided by experience and judgment – such as pricing, operations, and customer strategy. I’ve led the development of scalable tools and diagnostics that inform decision-making during diligence and help portfolio companies unlock operational improvements. I'm also deeply involved in the growth and development of my team, with a focus on building strong talent and fostering long-term careers.
Recently, I completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School. I studied alongside 120 professionals from 40 countries and across 40 different industries. The program provided a comprehensive view of business – covering leadership, finance, accounting, macroeconomics, negotiations, among others – and gave me the space to reflect on the kind of leader I want to be. It also helped clarify the direction I want to take my team as we continue to grow and expand our impact.
Today, I’m focused on structuring the team for scale: strengthening technical capabilities, preserving our culture, and deepening collaboration with investment professionals. My goal is to position data science not just as an analytical resource, but as a core lever for value creation across Birch Hill’s portfolio.
What brought you to where you are now?
My path has been shaped by a combination of intellectual curiosity, resilience, and a strong belief in the value of rigorous thinking. I began my career in academic research, earning a PhD in physics with a focus on cosmology and gravitational theory. This background instilled in me a deep appreciation for analytical problem-solving and a comfort with complexity, which I’ve since applied to business and investing.
Immigrating from Argentina taught me resilience in a very personal way. Starting over in a new country forced me to adapt quickly, overcome uncertainty, and approach every opportunity with intention. It made me more deliberate in my decisions and more committed to making the most of each step forward.
Transitioning to private equity, I’ve found success by bridging disciplines – translating data science into actionable insights that drive performance in portfolio companies. I attribute much of my progress to an ability to navigate ambiguity, ask the right questions, and communicate clearly with stakeholders across functions.
Equally important has been the support of mentors and peers who challenged me to grow, and the opportunity to work in environments that reward initiative. Ultimately, my success has come from aligning technical depth with strategic relevance – solving real problems that matter.
What are you passionate about?
Outside of work, I enjoy simple things. In the summer, I love going to baseball games to support the Toronto Blue Jays and spending time near the lake with my partner and puppy. I remain curious about all aspects of nature, from the solar system to earthquakes and the evolution of human beings. I also enjoy reading science fiction and nonfiction biographies.
How has your work impacted your industry and community?
In private equity, data science is still an emerging function, and much of my work has focused on demonstrating its value and defining how it can drive results. At Birch Hill, I’ve supported the growth of the largest data science team in mid-market private equity – now larger than our investment team. This scale has allowed us to take on high-impact work across the portfolio, shaping decisions on pricing, customer retention, procurement, and operational efficiency.
The impact goes beyond individual use cases. We’ve built repeatable frameworks, established standards for quality, and invested heavily in talent development. Several team members have transitioned into leadership roles within portfolio companies, extending our influence and embedding data-driven thinking more deeply across the ecosystem.
More broadly, our work is helping to redefine what’s possible in mid-market private equity. By integrating data science into diligence and value creation – not just as a support function but as a strategic partner – we’re contributing to a shift toward more analytical, evidence-based decision-making across the industry. I’ve also shared our experience with peers and in the broader data community to help advance the role of data science in this space.
How do you give back to your community?
Mentorship has been an important part of my role, both formally and informally. Within the data science team at Birch Hill, I work closely with team members to support their development – not only in technical areas, but also in building sound judgment, communicating effectively with senior stakeholders, and navigating complex business environments.
Outside of my day-to-day role, I’ve participated in student-focused events as an invited speaker, including panels for WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) Canada and the Queen’s University Conference on International Business (QCIB). These have been opportunities to share my experience as a data science leader in private equity and to provide perspective on the different paths available in applied analytics and business.
In my work, I often act as a bridge between different groups – translating between the needs and priorities of CEOs and CFOs in our portfolio companies, the investment professionals at the firm, and the technical team I lead. That role requires clarity in communication, the ability to understand and align different perspectives, and a focus on long-term impact. I see effective communication and mentorship as closely linked – both are about listening well, building trust, and helping others succeed.