Meet Marie Libres, 2026 AdaMarie Expert
At AdaMarie, we’re intentional about highlighting experts who move comfortably between idea and execution, theory and practice. Marie Libres does exactly that through her work helping teams turn ambiguity into products people can actually use.
Marie is joining AdaMarie as a 2026 Expert, and we’re excited to feature her across upcoming workshops and conversations focused on product design, navigating ambiguity, and building thoughtful, resilient careers in tech. She is a product designer, founder, and global thinker whose work lives at the intersection of culture, technology, and early-stage innovation. As the owner of Daughters Studio, Marie helps founders and product leaders turn ambiguity into direction—translating half-formed ideas into thoughtful, testable products that can grow with real user insight.
In this Mirror, Marie shares how she navigated a major career pivot from advertising into product design, how her lived experience across cultures shapes the way she builds technology, and why curiosity, boundaries, and visibility matter just as much as technical skill.
Keep reading to learn more about Marie’s journey, what she’s exploring now, and the principles guiding how she designs products—and a life—with intention.
And, stay tuned for workshops and fireside chats featuring Marie!
Meet Marie Libres!
Major & Minor – If you went to college!: Major: Advertising, Minor: Spanish
Field of Work: Technology
Expertise In: Product Design
Current Company: Daughters Studio
Job Title: Owner, Product Designer
One-liner about what you’re working on: I help early-stage teams turn ambiguous ideas into clear, actionable products or net new features. I work with founders and product leaders to brainstorm concepts, design and launch a lean MVP, so teams can iterate based on early signals.
Currently geeking out over: I'm cooking up a side project that explores design within specific cultural contexts. I essentially want to dig into different types of cultural nuances that shape how we build and interact with digital products.
STEM hero (alive or dead!): Karen Hao, author of "Empire of AI". She's technically a technology journalist now (and an incredible one at that!), though she did spend some of her early career in Silicon Valley.
It's no secret that tech is rather volatile. Work on passion projects. Be visible. Have opinions but be humble. Stand for something. These will empower you and differentiate you from the rest.
Tell us about your professional journey – how did you get where you are now?
I actually studied Advertising and worked as an Art Director the first four years of my career. It was fun while it lasted, but it just wasn't for me.
I started to read up on product design ("UI/UX design" during that time), taught myself the ropes, and pivoted into my first role as a product designer at Fossil Group designing the accompanying app to wearables.
We’re also curious to know your personal story and upbringing. What has made you “you”?
I'm Filipino-American. We moved to the States when I was six, so I essentially grew up living in two worlds: a Filipino one at home, and an "American" one just about everywhere else. Growing up, I remember always flipping through my dad's National Geographic magazines. He also always borrowed these library books that were about different countries around the world, and of course, I'd get my grubby little hands on them too. I was so young, but I was already learning that the world was so big and beautiful—the cultures, the languages, and the people.
I've lived in the Philippines, the States (including NYC), Tokyo, Bordeaux, Paris, and I even backpacked solo for a year around South America and Europe. This has been the golden thread of my entire life: getting to know our world, and I wouldn't live my life any other way.
We know that real life isn’t a smooth and linear journey. What was your initiating moment that led you to your calling - can you tell us about that moment, what helped you moved forward, what you learned/discovered?
I realized Advertising wasn't for me in the short- or long-run. I was just so burnt out—and I was only 25! So I started making moves to get myself to my next era. In addition to Googling what product design was, how to be a product designer, etc., I just...tried, and kept trying and trying. Taking in feedback of what was working and what wasn't, and adjusting my "no-plan plan".
I guess I've always been a problem solver at heart.
You’re a working person in a performance-driven industry. Where do you find balance?
Setting boundaries. Doing things just for yourself. Work to live, not live to work, my friends.
Let your geek flag fly! You choose one: if you were a part of the human body, outer space, or a scientific process, what would you be and why?
Oh, easy. If I were something in Outerspace, I would be a black hole! They're massive, fascinating and frightening—and we know so very little about them. Besides, I would also finally know what's going on beyond the event horizon.
We’d love to feature your work! How can we spread the word about what you’re doing? Some examples you might want to share:
I'm the founder of Daughters Studio: www.daughtersstudio.com.
I'm the creator, director, and producer of "Her Mother's Dress", a grassroots docu-series exploring our diaspora experience through traditional dresses. (Currently in production)
I started Imi Loa Society (www.imiloasociety.webflow.io), global community for women who travel to explore, learn, and connect. It's my love letter to traveling more authentically. Moving away from just getting that perfect Instagram photo, and instead leading with curiosity and open-mindedness. It's about sharing stories, swapping tips, and learning from each other.
I write about moving to France and other topics on my Substack: https://marielibres.substack.com
Do you have a favorite motivational quote or song?
“Smooth seas don't make good sailors.”
Any final advice for early-career STEM professionals?:
It's no secret that tech is rather volatile. Work on passion projects. Be visible. Have opinions but be humble. Stand for something. These will empower you and differentiate you from the rest.
Marie’s work reminds us that great products—and sustainable careers—are built by people who stay curious, set boundaries, and aren’t afraid to experiment their way forward.
As a 2026 AdaMarie Expert, Marie will be leading workshops and conversations throughout the year on product design, early-stage thinking, and building with intention. Follow along to learn from her work, explore her projects, and stay tuned for upcoming sessions featuring Marie.
