How I Met Your Data

Welcome to another episode of How I Met Your Data. This time, we're getting real about the messy, meaningful journey of career evolution. Our guest, Angelique Hopkins, along with our own Karen Meppen, unpack the highs, lows, and hard-earned wisdom of navigating big career moves in the fast-changing world of Data & Analytics. We're talking about more than just job titles. From navigating burnout to breaking out of career stagnation, Karen and Angelique share honest reflections on their careers, the risks they took, the pivots they made, and the self-awareness that fueled it all. We'll also explore how AI is reshaping roles, why your network matters more than ever, and what it takes to thrive in a workforce that refuses to sit still. If you're rethinking your next move or just need a dose of real talk, this episode brings the insight, heart, and just a bit of inspiration to help you take the leap. Let's get into it.

Welcome to a new chapter of 'How I Met Your Data', where we dive deeper into the real stories behind the data with our new co-hosts, Karen Meppen and Junaid. This episode explores the intersections of data leadership, AI disruption, and culture shifts, while introducing Karen and Junaid's unique perspectives and experiences in the data world. Join us as we discuss the messy middle, transformation fatigue, and the never-ending journey of working with data. Karen shares her rich experience in optimizing processes through technology, and Junaid brings his prophetic insight into the evolving realm of AI. Together, they uncover the importance of data therapy sessions and talk about the exciting, albeit challenging, future of data management. This episode is a blend of personal stories, professional insights, and a sneak peek into the evolving landscape of data and technology. Get ready to explore why working with data is dynamic, challenging, and yet undeniably rewarding.

Welcome to another episode of "How I Met Your Data" with your hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Basal. Join us in this engaging conversation as we bid Sandy farewell on her new venture and welcome Rachel Moore Best, a renowned negotiation expert and lecturer at MIT. In this episode, Rachel shares her journey from music studies to becoming a negotiation specialist, emphasizing the significance of negotiation beyond the boardroom and into everyday life. Discover the power of negotiation in enhancing communication, collaboration, and influence within teams while navigating complex dynamics and decision-making. Perfect for data practitioners, engineers, or anyone interested in improving their negotiation skills, this episode is packed with insights and strategies that transcend typical negotiation boundaries.

Welcome to Season 2 of "How I Met Your Data," where hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansel dive into the dynamic world of data. In this episode, they chat with guest Carly Van Zandt, Senior Director of Data Governance at Fresenius Medical Care.  Carly shares her fascinating journey from biology to data governance, highlighting her innovative approach to demonstrating the ROI of governance efforts, even with a small team. Discover how Carly's unique methodology has transformed data practices and learn about the real-world examples she used to gain executive buy-in. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the impact of effective data governance.

Welcome to the season finale of "How I Met Your Data," where hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal guide you through the dynamic world of data. In this episode, Sandy shares highlights from her recent sabbatical, exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Olympic National Park and the vibrant culture of Barcelona. Anjali recounts her own summer adventures in Yellowstone and Hilton Head, emphasizing the stunning beauty and wildlife of America's national parks. As they reflect on the season, Sandy and Anjali discuss listener engagement and the success of various episodes, highlighting insights from data-driven sports success to the evolving landscape of Gen AI technology.  Join Sandy and Anjali as they wrap up an incredible season, share personal stories, and look forward to new data adventures in the upcoming year. 

This episode of How I Met Your Data welcomes Dr. Elouise Epstein, a digital futurist, to discuss the often overlooked world of procurement. Listeners will learn what procurement is and why it's essential to business success. Dr. Epstein provides insights into the challenges that procurement teams face, including a lack of spend transparency, reliance on outdated technology, and the struggle to keep up with a rapidly evolving digital landscape. She also shares her vision for the future of procurement, where supply chains become a core competitive advantage, driven by data, AI, and a deep understanding of supplier relationships. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in data, technology, and the future of business.

Welcome to another episode of How I Met Your Data! In this episode, hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal are thrilled to welcome Malcolm Hawker, a seasoned expert in data and analytics with over 25 years of experience. Currently the Chief Data Officer at Prophecy, Malcolm shares his insights on master data management and data governance. The episode kicks off with a discussion about the recent CDOIQ conference in Boston, where Anjali and Malcolm co-hosted a session. They delve into the topics covered during their session, emphasizing the need for transforming data culture within organizations. Malcolm highlights the importance of delivering value and shifting mindsets to foster a positive data culture. Listeners will gain valuable insights on how to prioritize collaboration, continuous engagement, and leveraging product management principles in data leadership. Malcolm also shares his thoughts on the future of data management, including the potential of data fabrics and governance as a service. Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with practical advice and forward-thinking perspectives on the evolving landscape of data and analytics.

This week, Anjali Bansal and Sandy Estrada, welcome Stefanie Gervasi, the Director of U.S. Partnerships and Alliances for Alation.  Alation is a leading provider of data cataloging and governance solutions designed to empower organizations to harness the power of their data effectively. In this episode, they dive into the intricate relationships between software companies, consulting firms, and data executives.  They also discuss the importance of partnerships, the role of consulting firms in guiding clients, and the critical factors for successful collaborations. Whether you're a data executive, a consulting firm, or a software vendor, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge to help you navigate the complex world of partnerships in data. Join us for an engaging conversation filled with practical advice and industry insights. 

This week, on How I Met Your Data Anjali and I have a special edition for you. We're going to debrief on the Snowflake Data Cloud Summit that took place just a couple of weeks ago. Joining us is Michael Cochrane, Cervelo's Global Data and Analytics Consulting Practice Leader, and a longtime colleague of mine.  We dive deep into the evolution of Snowflake, its impact on clients, and how it has transformed from a cloud-optimized data solution to a comprehensive platform supporting multi-cloud and real-time data needs. Mike also discusses the significance of governance, privacy, and cost management in today's data landscape. We explore the latest advancements and releases showcased at the summit, including Snowflake's partnership with NVIDIA and the push towards native apps and containerized services. The conversation also touches on the increasing complexity of data architectures and the importance of maintaining transparency and optionality in technology investments. Join us as we reflect on the exciting developments from the Snowflake Summit and discuss the future of data engineering, AI, and the ever-evolving role of technology in driving business value.

Join Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal in this exciting episode of "How I Met Your Data" as they welcome Junaid Farooq, a seasoned expert in data governance and strategy currently leading enterprise data initiatives at First Citizens Bank.  Junaid shares his journey and insights on data democratization, data governance, and the impact of AI on data management. Discover how First Citizens Bank navigated through significant acquisitions and the challenges they faced in integrating data and aligning on culture. Junaid also discusses the essential disciplines of data management and offers advice on staying versatile and continuously learning in the ever-evolving field of data. Tune in for an unscripted, insightful conversation.

Welcome to this episode of "How I Met Your Data." Join hosts Sandy and Anjali as they delve into a captivating conversation with Erin Kelly from Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR). Erin, the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Solutions and Strategy, shares her experiences and insights on how KAGR, leverages data management, advanced analytics, and strategic consulting to help sports teams and leagues run their business more efficiently. Erin discusses the importance of understanding fans beyond ticketing, the rise of sophisticated sponsorship analytics, and the impact of pop culture phenomena like Taylor Swift on sports viewership. Tune in to explore the ever-evolving landscape of sports analytics and how data is shaping the future of fan engagement, team operations, and business strategies in the sports and entertainment industry.

Join us for an enlightening episode of "How I Met Your Data" as hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal explore the dynamic world of artificial intelligence with Laura Grace Ellis, Vice President of Data and AI at Rapid7. Laura shares her journey and expertise, discussing the challenges and strategies of AI implementation in organizations, with a focus on efficiency, scalability, and enablement. Discover how Laura's role has evolved to lead both data and AI operations at Rapid7, and learn about her involvement with Women Leaders in Data and AI. She offers valuable insights into prioritizing AI projects for real business value, navigating the 'buy vs. build' decision, and the creative aspects of engineering. You'll also hear about surprising wins, the importance of organizational alignment, and the rapid evolution of AI. This episode is packed with practical advice and thought-provoking discussions that will inspire anyone interested in the future of AI. 

In this episode of "How I Met Your Data," hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Basal touch on their recent experiences at pivotal data management conferences, sharing insights from FIMA in Boston and Data Universe in New York. They discuss the latest in GenAI, networking opportunities, and the dynamic interplay of ideas at these community events. Joining them is Rachel Workman, VP of Data at SoundCommerce, who sheds light on her unconventional journey through the data landscape. Rachel offers a deep dive into the often-overlooked gap between data teams and business operations within many organizations. The conversation also tackles the lure of constantly chasing the next big innovation. Rachel and the hosts explore the impacts of frequent project pivoting—from talent turnover to accumulating technical debt. Additionally, they introduce the concept of metric trees to transparently demonstrate ROI and discuss why organizations should steer clear of regular shifts in priorities. Blending technical insights with human stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone aiming to effectively bridge the data divide in today's organizations.

In this episode of How I Met Your Data, we welcome James Anderson, ex-consultant and current Director of Cloud Data Architecture at Snowflake. Hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal engage in a comprehensive discussion covering Snowflake's advanced capabilities, the intricacies of dashboards, and the broader future of data work.   The conversation covers a lot of ground from the critical importance of aligning business goals with data initiatives, the value of Return on Investment (ROI), and the creation of data products.  We discuss the dangers of focusing too narrowly on specific use-cases, the benefits of reusability in data products, and the essential roles of assets and collaboration in data analytics. We also debate the often misunderstood concepts of data mesh and the pivotal role of data governance. The dialogue then extends into Generative AI and its influence on business strategies. We discuss the modern data stack's tool selection process, how customer feedback influences Snowflake's developments, and generative AI's effects on data teams. Additionally, we explore the role of Python in data engineering and then take a stance over the longevity of operational dashboards. This episode is jam packed with industry trends, practical examples, and thought-provoking insights into data management, governance, AI, and advanced analytics.  You are not going to want to miss this one. 

On today's episode of How I Met Your Data, Sandy Estrada & Anjali Bansal dive into the heart of organizational challenges and triumphs in the realm of data governance, technology adoption, and the ever-evolving landscape of Gen AI.   With excitement still buzzing from our launch, we're tackling the surprises and insights that have emerged from our conversations over the last couple of weeks.  From the dual-edged sword of policy and change resistance in data governance to the shadows where Gen AI is being forged, we're unpacking what it means to navigate the complex tapestry of modern organizations.   We also explore the nuances of consulting, the human side of data projects, and the intricate dance between business and IT. Expect tales of change fatigue, the quest for effective communication, and the occasional need for data therapy.   Whether you're a data veteran or new to the field, this episode promises a blend of reflective insights, practical advice, and a touch of humor to lighten the load.

Welcome to our debut episode of "How I Met Your Data," a podcast that aims to break down the complexities of the data world from a human perspective. Today's episode briefly introduces your hosts, Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal. We hope you enjoy it and decide to join us on this journey by subscribing!