What is the best thing that I love about my work? “I love the process of transformation, the ability to take “unseen energy,” and transform it into something tangible. Whether I am layering gold hues and 3D textures on a canvas or architecting the UI/UX for a wellness platform, I love the moment where chaos finally gives way to clarity. It is incredibly fulfilling to build systems that help people find their own path to thriving.”

What is my idea of happiness? “To me, happiness is the alignment of purpose and creation. It is the peace found in a finished painting that captures a deep emotion, combined with the excitement of seeing a line of code solve a real-world problem for someone else. It is having the freedom to dream in Nashville while knowing my work is building a safer, healthier future for my daughter.”

What is my greatest fear? “My greatest fear is stagnation, the idea of having the potential to solve a problem and not taking the risk to do so. I believe we are each given a unique gift to share with the world, and my fear is leaving this world without having contributed to it.”

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? “I sometimes struggle with perfectionism, which can be a double-edged sword. While it allows me to architect highly complex systems like the Zae ecosystem with precision, it can also lead me to linger too long on a single brushstroke or a single function. I am constantly learning to embrace “beautifully finished” over “mathematically perfect.”

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? “I deeply admire individuals who bridge the gap between aesthetics and utility. I look up to tech visionaries who prioritize human-centric design, as well as multidisciplinary leaders who prove that you don’t have to choose between being an artist and being a ‘technical founder’. Anyone who uses their platform to advocate for reforms, especially in health, that will positively impact our future generations is a hero in my book.”

What is my greatest extravagance? “Time. Specifically, the time I spend in deep work, where I can disconnect from the noise of the world and fully immerse myself in a project. Whether it’s an entire day in my art studio or fifteen hours of focused coding, that uninterrupted flow is my most cherished luxury.”

On what occasion would I lie? “I believe in radical transparency, but I would lie to protect the safety or dignity of a loved one. Coming from a background where geopolitical safety was not always guaranteed, I understand that sometimes silence or redirection is a necessary tool for protection.”

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? “I dislike the “tech-fatigue” and the “noise” that often clutters the creative process. In both fine art and software engineering, there is often a push for quantity over quality. I struggle with environments that prioritize “the next big thing” over meaningful, long-term human connection.”

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? “The happiest moment was in my Nashville studio, realizing that my large-scale paintings and my wellness app, Zae, were actually the same project. It was the moment I stopped seeing myself as an “artist who codes” and started seeing myself as a Systems Architect who uses art to make technology feel human.”

If I could, what would I change about myself? “I would give myself the ability to be in two places at once. My mind is constantly racing with new architectural logic and new artistic visions, and I wish I had more hours in the day to bring every one of them to life immediately.”

What is my greatest achievement in work? “Transitioning from a successful career in Fashion Design and Fine Arts into the world of Full-Stack Engineering. Building the Zae wellness ecosystem from the ground up as a solo founder, designing every UI element and architecting 80+ cloud functions, is a testament to my belief that we are capable of achieving anything we set our minds to.”

Where would I most like to live? “I have found my home in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a city that understands both the soul of the artist and the heartbeat of the healthcare industry. It is the perfect ecosystem for a multidisciplinary founder like me to scale a national vision.”

What is my most treasured possession? “My resilience. Everything material can be taken away, as I’ve seen it happen in my homeland, but the ability to transform, to rebuild, and to find “golden hues” in the midst of chaos is something that stays with me forever.”

What is my most marked characteristic? “My multidisciplinary vision. I see the world in layers, texture, logic, energy, and structure. Whether I am talking to an artist, or an engineer, I am able to bridge those worlds and speak their languages fluently.”

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? “The Nashville Entrepreneur Center. Standing in a place where so many healthcare and many other innovations have been born reminds me that I am part of a larger story of American ingenuity. It turns my solitary work into a shared national mission.”

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? “I love the local Nashville cafes where the creative community gathers. There is a specific energy in a coffee shop full of songwriters and tech founders, it’s where the best ideas are often scribbled on napkins.”

What books influenced my life and how? “I have an insatiable crave for knowledge, and books on human evolution and self-discovery have been pivotal to my growth. Works from Peter Drucker and Uri Levine have shaped my approach to business and innovation, while the deep psychological insights of Carl Jung and the spiritual clarity of Neville Goddard have taught me that the human body is the most complex ‘architecture’ in existence. Additionally, the writings of Bukowski reminded me to live in ‘another dimension’—to look beyond the surface of a seeming reality to find the deeper truth in both my art and my code.”

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? “My taste in music is wide and deeply felt; it makes me feel more human and more connected. I would listen to a blend of soul-stirring orchestral pieces, like Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, which is my favorite, and vibrant rhythms that remind me of my roots. Intertwining the modern resonance of artists like Rüfüs Du Sol, Kacey Musgraves, and Coldplay, more than a soundtrack, I would choose a playlist that reflects the complexity, the rhythm, and the beauty of a life well-lived.”

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? “Any character who navigates a “heroine’s journey” by turning their perceived weaknesses into their greatest strengths. I love stories of women who architect their own destiny against all odds.”

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? “My mother is my first heroine; she taught me that creation is a lifestyle. Also, the women who lead in the tech and health sectors while maintaining their humanity and grace. They prove that you can be a “force of nature” and a “force for good” at the same time.”

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? “Any film that captures the raw power of the human spirit to innovate and survive. I value stories that show the “behind-the-scenes” struggle of a creator before the world sees their success.”

What role play stories in my life and work? “Stories are the data of the human experience. My mission in developing the Zae ecosystem is to help individuals finally understand the story their own body is trying to tell. Often, we live in our bodies as if they were strangers, but once you decode your biological state, you are empowered to take action. You are in control of your vehicle. I believe that when we finally connect with our bodies and treat them as ‘home,’ we can truly begin to architect our wellness from a place of clarity rather than chaos.”

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to me? “They mean that while we cannot control the “chaos” that life throws at us—like a pandemic or geopolitical shifts—we have 100% control over how we choose to respond. We can choose whether our story is one of victimhood or one of empowerment and transformation.”

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? “My parents and my daughter are my greatest inspiration and my “why.” Professionally, the mentors and the community at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center have been incredible partners in helping me translate my artistic vision into a scalable business.”

Which people or companies would I like to work with? “I would love to collaborate with Apple Health or Google’s Vertex AI team to further integrate Zae’s hormone-intelligent logic into the global digital health infrastructure. I also look forward to working with U.S. health leaders who are committed to “Make America Healthy Again” through preventative technology.”

What project am I looking forward to work on? “I am fully focused on the national launch of Zae. It is my most ambitious “canvas” yet, and I am looking forward to seeing it in the hands of millions of people who need better, more intuitive health guidance.”

Where can you see me or my work? “You can find my physical art at www.ninagraffe.com and my digital architecture at www.aezae.io. I am also active on LinkedIn, where I share my journey as a multidisciplinary founder in the Nashville tech scene.”

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? “They mean that my identity as an artist doesn’t end just because I am now a software founder. Passion simply evolves into more powerful mediums. I will be an artist until my last day—I’ve just chosen to use code as my brush for this chapter of my journey.”

How can you contact me? “The best way to reach me is through my websites,  www.aezae.io, www.ninagraffe.com, or via LinkedIn. I am always open to connecting with fellow “storytellers” and innovators who believe in the power of connection.”