Analytics and Data Science Pulse

In this, episode 18 of the Analytics and Data Science Pulse Podcast, I was privileged to have the opportunity to speak with the one and only JT Kostman, PhD. I have been connected with JT for some time on LinkedIn, and I cannot thank him enough for his generosity in taking the time to speak with me and in turn, sharing that discussion with you. As you will hear in this episode, JT has the unique profile of someone with a background in Psychology, Mathematics, and Data Science. He has hunted terrorists for the U.S. intelligence agencies, tracked criminal networks for the FBI, advised the Department of Defense on analytic strategies and led social media analysis for the 2012 Obama campaign. In the corporate sector, he served as Chief Data Officer and member of the Executive Committee for Time Inc. and as Chief Data Scientist for Samsung. I cannot overstate how interesting I found this chat, and I hope you, the listeners, get as much enjoyment out of listening to it as much I did making it!

In this episode and the first of 2020, I was joined by Co-founder of Modulai in Stockholm, Erik Dahlberg. Modulai is an agency/consultancy focused on solving their client's problems through the application of Machine Learning. Erik is someone who was with Klarna as a Data Scientist for over six years before going out on his own with his colleagues. This one will undoubtedly offer a great deal of value for those people considering taking the same route. Thank you Erik!

On this episode, I am joined by Kjetil Amdal Saevik who is Data Science Lead at Norway’s leading online grocery company, Kolonial.no. Kjetil has previously held Data Science positions at Elkjop Nordic who are part of Dixons Carphone Warehouse and has worked for Consultancies such as Capgemini and PwC.

In this week's episode, I was joined by former Chief Data Officer and Partner of Text Analytics company Gavagai and now of RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), Fredrik Olsson. Fredrik is someone who has an impressive background within the sphere of Language Technology (PhD in Computational Linguistics), and he offers a unique insight as to what life is like when you move from the commercial sector back into research (where he is now). I think that Fredrik is an excellent example of someone who is comfortable with being uncomfortable and is always open to stepping outside of his comfort zone. I always enjoy having a chat with him and thank you for recording this with me Fredrik!

So, Episode #14 and I enjoyed a great call with Mattias Fras who is the Head of Strategy and Acceleration of Nordea in Stockholm. In this one, you will hear how Mattias transitioned from Consulting into the Banking industry and his unique insights on how data-driven professionals can add more value to the departments and companies that they work for. Mattias has several unique attributes that you will hear, have made a significant contribution to getting him to where he is today.

Here it is, episode 13 of the Analytics and Data Science Pulse Podcast. I was delighted to be joined by Linn Jordet Nygaard, who is the Head of Data at Unacast in Oslo. Unacast is doing some fascinating work concerning location and map data and has offices in both Oslo and New York. Linn is someone who has a unique perspective on the world of data as a result of having extensive experience as a Management Consultant and for the past two years, in a fast-growing start-up.

In episode 12, I was joined by Oguzhan Gencoglu of Top Data Science in Helsinki. Top Data Science is a data science company focusing on AI powered Computer Vision, Machine Learning and Analytics technologies and development services for corporate customers and tech companies. Oguzhan has a Masters in Machine Learning from Tampere University and to date, he has delivered over 50+ AI projects in the past 3 and a half years with Top Data Science. Thanks for taking part Oguzhan.

In this episode I was joined by Aleh of Formulate in Stockholm. Aleh has a double Masters from Stockholm University and is a Senior Data Scientist and Econometric Expert. For those of you either entering the workforce as an Economics graduate or perhaps looking to transition across from elsewhere, this one is for you.

In episode ten I was joined by David Stephenson PhD. David is a published author (UK Bestseller - "Big Data Demystified,")and also MD of strategic analytics Consultancy, DSI Analytics. David has a unique insight into what it takes to build successful Analytics and Data Science teams and continues to consult with household names and smaller firms alike, in this capacity. He is also the Program Chair for Predictive Analytics World in London.

I was fortunate enough to be joined by Kyle Wierenga who is the current CIO of Burton Snowboards. I am lucky to have known Kyle for several years now and his understanding of the Data Science/Advanced Analytics landscape within the Retail and Consumer Insight space is second to none.

In this episode, I was joined by Niko Vuokko who is the Lead AI Solution Architect of Silo.AI, a private AI lab based in Helsinki. Niko holds a PhD in Machine Learning and has extensive Business Development experience specifically related to AI.

On this episode, I was fortunate enough to speak with Greg Ryslik who is the Chief Data Officer of Celsius Therapeutics in Cambridge, MA. Greg has previously held senior Analytics/Data Science positions at both Tesla and Faraday Future and he holds a PhD in Biostatistics from Yale. For listeners that are interested in the application of Data Science within the Health and Medical Technology sectors, this one is definitely for you.

On this episode, I was fortunate to speak to Carlo Torniai who is the Director of Strategy and Digital Ventures at FIFA and former Head of Data Science and Analytics for Pirelli. Earlier than that he was also a Data Science Manager at Tesla between 2014 and 2015. He holds a PhD in Informatics from Florence University as well as an MBA from London School of Economics and NYU Stern. We hope you enjoy listening.

For episode #005 I was joined by Kate Strachnyi. Kate is by trade, a Data Visualization (Tableau) expert who is incredibly generous with both the quality and quantity of the content she shares with the Data Science community. Based in NY, she is the host of "Humans of Data Science,"(HoDS) on her "Story by Data," YouTube channel as well as being a published author of both "The Disruptors: Data Science Leaders," and "Journey to Data Scientist."

For episode #004 I was joined by Christian Guttmann. Christian is the Global Head of AI and Data Science at Tieto and is based in Stockholm. He is also the Executive Director at the Nordic AI Institute and adjunct Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales, Australia and Adjunct Researcher at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden.

In this episode of the Analytics and Data Science Pulse, Our guest was Kristian Mork Puggaard of DAMVAD Analytics, a specialist consultancy based in Copenhagen. You will hear Kristian's thoughts on what life is like working at a Consultancy and what he as a hiring manager is looking for in potential employees. Thanks for participating Kristian.

In this episode, I was lucky to be joined by Bjorn Brinne who is the Head of Data Science at Peltarion in Stockholm. Bjorn is also formerly of both King and Truecaller and has a PhD in Theoretical Physics from Stockholm University. Thank you Bjorn for taking part.

Welcome to the "Analytics and Data Science Pulse Podcast," with me, Richard Downes. I am a specialist Headhunter within the area of Analytics, Data Science and Machine Learning and on each episode of these Podcasts, I aim to get get the thoughts of industry experts on the subject of careers in any given data-driven vertical. On episode one, I was fortunate enough to have a Q&A with Tom Davenport. Tom is Professor of Information Technology and Management at Babson College and author/editor of over 20 books and over 250 print or digital articles for Harvard Business Review (HBR), Sloan Management Review, the Financial Times, and many others. Tom earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University and has taught at the Harvard Business School, the University of Chicago, the Tuck School of Business, Boston University, and the University of Texas at Austin. I am sure that many of you will also know Tom as being the joint author of the October 2012 article in the Harvard Business Review entitled "Data Scientist: The Sexiest Job of the 21st Century." I hope you enjoy the interview and I apologise for some of the sound quality issues.