Gina Gotthilf

Co-founder and COO at Latitude

Co-founder and COO of Latitude, dedicated to building the next generation of iconic tech startups in Latin America, formerly VP of Growth and Marketing at Duolingo where she helped grow from 3 million to over 200 million users primarily through organic channels.

The Growth Architect The Growth Scientist

Dimension Profile

Strategic Vision 50%

Execution & Craft 50%

Data & Experimentation 45%

Growth & Distribution 90%

Team & Leadership 35%

User Empathy & Research 60%

Key Themes

organic growth at massive scale A-side and B-side of career stories brand voice and communication as growth driver international market expansion resilience through career setbacks Latin America tech ecosystem opportunity

Episode Summary

Gina Gotthilf shares how she helped Duolingo grow from 3 million to over 200 million users primarily through organic and non-paid channels, starting as a consultant helping them expand in Brazil and eventually owning global growth. The conversation covers the power of brand voice and communication as a growth lever, why PR is underappreciated by startups, the A-side and B-side framework for careers, and the enormous tech opportunity emerging in Latin America.

Leadership Principles

→ Communication isn't about conveying a message — it's about conveying it in a way that the listener receives it, understands it, and remembers it
→ Having a unique brand voice that makes people feel something is one of the most underrated growth levers — unexpected, quirky, not taking yourself too seriously
→ Everyone has A-sides and B-sides to their career — recognizing B-moments as just moments rather than your whole story is essential to staying resilient

Notable Quotes

"Communication is constantly underrated. And communication isn't about being able to convey a message, it's about being able to convey a message in a way that the listener receives it, and understands it, and remembers it."
— On why communication is the most underrated skill for growth

"There is always a quirk, like it's unexpected. The way we talk to you is a little bit funny. It doesn't take ourselves too seriously and it makes the person receiving this message feel something."
— On Duolingo's brand voice as a growth strategy

"They were like, how about Mexico? And I was like, yes. Did I know anything about these places? Did I know people there? No, but you can figure it out."
— On saying yes to opportunities you don't yet know how to deliver on

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