Data Analytics Chat

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In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker welcomes Michael Hicks, Executive Director at Novartis. 

We explore Michael's unconventional career journey, which transitions from academia to business and from procurement to advanced analytics within the pharmaceutical industry. 

Michael shares his thoughts on career decisions, the importance of positivity in teams, and the essential skills for success. The episode also dives into the crucial discussion on the trustworthiness of generative AI, its ethical implications, and the balance between human intuition and AI decision-making. 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:46 Michael Hicks' Career Journey

01:25 Transition from Academia to Business

02:56 Entering the Pharmaceutical Industry

04:34 Role in Analytics and Procurement

06:30 Challenges and Career Pivots

10:08 Building Trust and Relationships

16:41 Defining Career Moments

24:10 Career Setbacks and Lessons Learned

27:16 Gaining a Competitive Edge

29:31 Innovative Team Leadership

29:50 Creating a Positive Team Culture

31:44 Hiring for Empathy and Curiosity

33:51 Trust in AI Systems

40:03 AI Accountability and Governance

44:01 Ethical Boundaries for AI Decisions

45:58 Human Context and AI Limitations

49:42 Deferring to AI vs. Human Judgment

53:40 Podcast Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thank you for listening! 

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In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker sits down with Jessica Talisman, Senior Information Architect at Adobe, to uncover why so many organisations struggle to move beyond basic data management.

Jessica shares in-depth industry insights on the root causes of poor data quality, the often-overlooked role of data governance, and why AI initiatives frequently fail without a robust data foundation. 

From her unique career path rooted in library and information science to leading complex data ecosystems in tech, Jessica offers a fresh, pragmatic view on what it really takes to build scalable, trusted data systems.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:38 Jessica's Unconventional Career Path

03:19 Motivations and Career Shifts

05:03 The Importance of Data Management

08:11 Emerging Roles in Data and AI

10:43 Passion and Career Growth

27:38 Facing Career Setbacks

33:59 Navigating Life's Challenges with Self-Care

35:03 The Importance of Mindset and Personal Growth

35:36 Turning Setbacks into Opportunities

39:31 Discovering and Leveraging Your Superpowers

45:20 Building High-Quality Data Ecosystems

47:37 The Role of Leadership in Data Governance

55:31 Breaking Down Data Silos

59:16 Investing in Knowledge Graphs

01:04:04 Advice for Data Leaders

01:07:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thank you for listening! 

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In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker speaks with Joe Bugajski, former Chief Data Officer at Visa and Gartner. 

Joe shares his remarkable career journey, which included building prototype vehicles, launching a machine learning company, and becoming a C-level data leader and coach.

For the data topic, we discuss what it really takes to lead and coach high-performing data teams. Joe offers honest insights on moving from technical expert to leader, how to communicate data value to the business, and the importance of self-awareness, feedback, and continuous learning in leadership.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:35 Joe’s Career Journey

03:47 Transition to Leadership

06:52 Building and Managing Teams

09:32 Importance of Communication and Feedback

26:02 Key Moments and Career Transformations

42:42 Embracing Failure and Persistence

43:13 Healthy Outlets for Stress

43:54 The Importance of Hobbies

44:59 Learning from Setbacks

45:38 Skills for Industry Success

46:50 The Role of Vision in Leadership

47:09 Mathematics and Machine Learning

48:13 The Value of Persistence

48:29 Effective Communication and Data Understanding

50:43 The Future of Data Science and AI

53:55 The Role of C-Level Leaders in Data and AI

01:00:54 Skills for the Next Generation of Data Professionals

01:08:17 Building a Culture of Experimentation

01:13:16 Preparing Teams for AI Integration

01:18:06 Concluding Thoughts and Final Advice

Thank you for listening! 

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In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker talks with Anju Gupta, the Chief Data and AI Officer at BNSF Railway, to explore her successful career journey to date and discuss AI adoption. 

Anju reveals her career journey, sharing pivotal moments that shaped her path and the profound influence of AI on various industries. She discusses overcoming challenges, the significance of collaboration, and essential skills like resilience, humility, and influencing. 

Anju provides a detailed exploration of AI adoption at scale, highlighting common roadblocks, strategic approaches for aligning AI with business goals, and the importance of a well-rounded build, buy, and partner strategy. 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:39 Anju's Early Career Journey

03:43 Pivotal Moments and AI Adoption

06:15 Overcoming Challenges and Building Influence

17:23 The Importance of Mentors and Sponsors

24:32 Handling Setbacks and Learning from Failure

29:04 The Dangers of Comparison

31:15 Skills for Success in the Industry

34:10 Challenges in AI Adoption

42:50 Moving from AI Experimentation to Full-Scale Adoption

46:48 Common Mistakes in Early AI Adoption

50:55 Aligning AI Initiatives with Business Goals

53:26 Leveraging External Expertise for AI Success

56:42 Final Thoughts and Advice

Thank you for listening! 

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Why do so many data and analytics projects fall short, even in the most well-funded companies?

In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker talks with Murli Buluswar, Head of Analytics at Citibank's US Personal Bank, to explore what companies are doing wrong in data and analytics solutions. 

We also explore his impressive career journey, from statistician to leader and unpack what it really takes to scale impact in data and analytics.

00:00 Introduction to the Guest and Episode Overview

00:48 Career Beginnings and Early Insights

03:50 Transition to Leadership and Enterprise Thinking

06:37 Continuous Learning and Self-Improvement

17:53 Challenges and Skills in Data-Driven Leadership

36:41 Common mistakes companies make when building analytics solutions

40:55 Companies' obsession with the latest tools and technologies 

45:29 Poor leadership or lack of accountability at the top

46:23 Industry guilty of overcomplicating data strategies 

48:21 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Thank you for listening! 

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In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker talks with Shashi Kumar, Head of Data Engineering & Analytics at Hearst, to explore how the rise of generative AI is reshaping the role of data engineering.

Whether you’re an aspiring data leader or a hands-on engineer, this episode is packed with practical insights, career advice, and how top organisations adapt to the new AI landscape.

You’ll learn:

• How Shashi transitioned from DBA to senior data leader and what helped him stand out
• The key skills, tools, and certifications that are shaping the modern data engineer
• How generative AI is changing data architecture, pipeline design, and collaboration
• Why governance, unstructured data, and real-time pipelines are now mission-critical
• What strategic investments should companies make to scale Gen AI effectively

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:41 Shashi Kumar's Career Journey

03:42 Transition to Leadership

05:44 Key Career Moments

08:57 Facing Career Setbacks

11:31 Skills for Success in Data Engineering

16:50 Impact of Generative AI on Data Engineering

20:52 Modern Data Engineering Tools and Skills

24:21 Collaboration Between Data Engineering and Data Science

28:42 Modern Data Architectures and Gen AI

33:57 Strategic Investments for Gen AI Adoption

34:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thank you for listening! 

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In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, Ben Parker chats with Gerrit Grotewold, Head of Personalisation at BMW Research, to explore what it takes to build a long, impactful career in data and AI.

With his career at BMW, Gerrit shares how he transitioned from electrical engineering into AI leadership, the key challenges he faced stepping into management, and the learning habits that keep him ahead.

👉 Whether you’re a data professional just starting or an experienced expert, this episode is packed with great insights to help you grow and learn.

You’ll learn:

• How domain knowledge gives you a competitive edge in data
• Why curiosity and soft skills matter more than ever in tech
• How to stay relevant in the age of LLMs and AI disruption
• Practical tips for transitioning from technical expert to people leader
• The mindset shift required to grow your career and enjoy the journey

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:06 Gerrit's Early Career and Education

01:43 Joining BMW and Career Growth

02:53 Transition to AI and Data

03:40 Passion for the Automotive Industry

05:22 Key Career Moments

08:00 Challenges and Overcoming Them

09:21 Management Transition

13:01 Skills and Traits for Success

17:28 Continuous Learning and Staying Relevant

21:18 Career Advice and Reflections

27:28 Pride in Achievements

28:27 Conclusion and Farewell

Thank you for listening! 

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In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker sits down with Sassoon Kosian, Corporate Vice President of Data Science at New York Life, to explore the journey from early challenges in physics to becoming a leader in the data and AI space.

Gain insights into managing high-performing teams, staying relevant in a fast-paced industry, and navigating corporate politics.

Key topics include:

• Navigating a career shift from consulting to in-house leadership.
• Overcoming “orphan initiatives” and creating impactful data solutions.
• Essential skills for data science success: strategic thinking, technical depth, communication, and adaptability.
• Staying ahead in the fast-moving world of GenAI.
• Building strong, trusted relationships with business stakeholders.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:40 Career Journey and Early Interests

02:26 Transition to Data Science and Consulting

04:10 Current Industry Challenges

06:56 Key Career Moments and Management Transition

13:04 Challenges in Large Organisations

16:32 Skills for Leadership in Data Science

20:53 Staying Relevant in a Fast-Paced Industry

23:14 Job Market and Advice for Aspiring Data Scientists

25:55 Proudest Achievements and Building Relationships

27:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thank you for listening! 

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Is ethical AI just a buzzword?

 In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker chats with Mark Brady, Deputy Chief Data Officer at KBR, who reveals the real risks behind today’s AI systems and why most organisations are unprepared.

Mark breaks down the Six Laws of Safe AI, a practical, no-fluff framework for securing the future as AI gains power, autonomy, and physical-world access.
 
 

We also discuss:

• Why “data science” today feels more like alchemy
• The broken culture of data hoarding in organisations
• What hiring managers are getting completely wrong
• How to spot real AI danger before it’s too late
• Why transparency and interoperability are non-negotiable

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:34 Mark Brady's Career Journey

02:01 Transition to Leadership

02:57 Key Moments in Data Science

07:35 Challenges in Data Management

11:56 Hiring the Right Data Scientist

18:15 AI and Security Concerns

23:58 Future of AI and Defensive Measures

34:56 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Thank you for listening! 

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In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker sits down with Aaron Hand, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at ArcelorMittal, to reveal what life is really like in the C-suite.

With a career spanning UBS, Holcim, and now leading AI strategy at one of the world’s largest manufacturing companies, Aaron shares candid insights on the challenges, pressures, and strategic thinking required to succeed as a modern CDO or CAIO.

You'll discover:

• What a typical day looks like at the CDO/CAIO level
• How to juggle innovation, governance, and business delivery
• Why many CDOs don’t last more than 18 months — and how to survive
• The power of domain knowledge, adaptability, and knowing your blind spots
• How a WhatsApp idea revolutionised cement sales
• Why “AI-first” needs to be more than a buzzword

🎧 A must-listen for data professionals, leaders, and anyone eyeing the C-suite in data & AI.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – Introduction and Guest Welcome
 00:41 – Aaron Hand's Early Career Journey
 02:26 – Transition into AI and Big Data
 03:38 – Career Progression at UBS
 05:21 – Leading AI at Holcim
 07:28 – Inside the Role of a Chief AI Officer
 16:39 – Managing Expectations and AI Hype
 25:27 – The Value of Great Mentors and Managers
 26:11 – Listening, Trust, and Collaboration
 26:44 – Innovation from the Ground Up: WhatsApp Sales Case
 28:06 – Workshops, Hackathons & Cross-Functional Teams
 29:34 – Flexibility in Strategy and Delivery
 35:48 – Continuous Learning & Staying Ahead with Podcasts
 40:04 – Major Setbacks, Mergers, and Resilience
 43:16 – Career Reflections and Proud Moments
 46:19 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Aspiring Leaders

Thank you for listening!