Data Driven Leadership

Unemployment insurance has supported Americans through economic hardship for nearly a century. But its long history brings complex challenges: rigid systems, layered policies, and outdated tech that's difficult to change.

In this episode of Data Driven Leadership, Jess Carter talks with Allison Johnson, director of Open UI at the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA). They discuss the challenges of modernizing unemployment systems and how Open UI is pushing for modular, transparent, and adaptable solutions in a space where innovation is often seen as risky.

From procurement hurdles to policy constraints, they unpack the structural barriers that have kept states locked into fragile systems for decades. Allison shares how Open UI is building a collaborative framework that reimagines how unemployment insurance can work better for both administrators and the people they serve.

Stick around 'til the end of the episode for a sneak peek at something special we've never done before! Want to be part of it? Check out Jess' LinkedIn post or DM her to submit a question—we might feature yours in the upcoming episode.

Disclaimer: Open UI is an initiative intended to explore, document, and promote best practices in Unemployment Insurance technology including modular technical architecture and implementation. It is not currently a product being built, offered, or sold by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA).

In this episode, you will learn:

• What state leaders should consider before launching a new system
• How Open UI is creating space for shared innovation across states
• Lessons in leadership and building trust for new initiatives

Things to listen for:

• (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Allison Johnson
• (06:29) Understanding the complexities of unemployment insurance
• (11:23) What Open UI is and why modularity matters
• (16:08) Procurement hurdles and Open UI's potential
• (18:13) Modernization is an ongoing process
• (24:46) Building trust through transparency and small wins

Resources:

NASWA's Open UI Initiative

A spike in food prices. A livestock disease outbreak. An overwhelmed hospital. These might seem unrelated—until you follow the data.

In this episode of Data Driven Leadership, Jess Carter talks with Dr. Heidi Steinecker, senior director of health and human services at Resultant. They discuss how data brings clarity to the hidden links between the economy, public health, and food safety.

Heidi introduces the One Health framework, which brings together human, animal, and environmental data to help leaders spot risks earlier, respond more effectively, and shape smarter policies. She also advises on how to build cross-agency collaboration, modernize systems, and use analytics to drive real-world impact before a crisis hits.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The importance of data visibility in policy and decision-making
• How different types of data work together to tell a bigger story
• How state agencies can modernize data collection and analytics

Things to listen for:

• (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Dr. Heidi Steinecker
• (06:02) Data provides visibility to make decisions
• (10:03) Decisions are iterative
• (11:47) The importance of social determinants of health
• (15:21) Lessons on data exchange from the COVID-19 pandemic
• (20:06) Enhancing data collection and predictions with technology
• (24:34) One Health: Integrating environmental, animal, and human data
• (27:29) Advice for implementing One Health

Being skilled in tech and data enables you to create value in any field.

In this episode of Data-Driven Leadership, host Jess Carter sits down with Kerry Phillips, vice president of global product management for the motive power division at EnerSys.

Kerry shares his journey of switching industries, from consulting to leading product management in the battery industry. He explains how his expertise in tech and data helped him build confidence and deliver results in a new role. Kerry also gives a glimpse into the development of EnerSys' latest data-driven application that aims to democratize their sales process and simplify product selection.

Listen in to find out how his team overcame obstacles such as messy data and scope creep to demonstrate real value.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to transition into a new industry with confidence
• Why descoping can be a crucial part of achieving project success
• Steps to break down complex projects into manageable pieces

Things to listen for:

• (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Kerry Phillips
• (04:32) The need for a product manager at EnerSys
• (11:46) Building a demonstration tool
• (14:04) Transferable skills from Kerry's consulting background
• (17:14) Technology solutions to democratize the sales process
• (21:44) Challenges with data governance
• (23:46) How to manage scope creep and deliver iterative value
• (25:38) Preparing for a global product launch at EnerSys

How do you know when to pivot or stay on course?

The best leaders know the right time to step back, challenge assumptions, and make deliberate choices.

In this episode of Data-Driven Leadership, Jess Carter sits down with John Roach, president at Resultant, to talk about his approach to strategic leadership. They discuss how leaders can maintain clarity, reassess priorities, and ensure decisions align with the bigger picture. John also highlights the importance of leveraging technology to automate repetitive tasks, allowing leaders to focus on the highest and best use of their time—creative thinking, problem-solving, and making decisions that drive real impact.

• How to determine if your data strategy is still serving your business
• Why balancing risk vs. innovation is key to long-term success
• How tech and AI can help leaders focus on high-value work

Things to listen for:

• (00:00) Introduction to the episode with John Roach
• (02:45) Staying true to your bedrock of goals
• (06:09) When to reassess strategy and pivot
• (10:20) How to differentiate signal from noise
• (14:34) The barbell strategy: balancing risk
• (18:22) Borrowing ideas from other industries to innovate
• (21:42) Technology allows us to be more human
• (25:02) Practical uses of AI at home and at work

The most successful companies have this in common: they don't just have data—they act on it.

In this special episode of Data-Driven Leadership, host Jess Carter unpacks key insights from recent conversations with leaders at Bumble, Stanley Black & Decker, Southwest Airlines, and Walker Information. Each company has found a way to use data to support their unique business advantage. Jess discusses how these lessons apply across industries and offers practical ways to think differently about your own data strategy.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to help your data team deliver real business value
• The importance of listening to customer feedback
• Why structured, well-governed data leads to better insights

Things to listen for:

• (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Jess Carter
• (01:52) Bumble's 90-day data team strategy
• (03:36) Walker Information on customer feedback
• (07:40) Why Stanley Black & Decker treats data as a product
• (11:48) How Southwest Airlines uses data to put customers first

Resources:

Love at First Insight: How Data Teams Shape Customer Experience for Smart Growth, with Bumble's Lina Mikolajczyk

Jack Walker Explains How to Improve Customer Experience without Guesses and Assumptions

Why Treating Data as a Product Means Alignment and Growth for Stanley Black & Decker

Southwest Airlines Builds a Customer-First Culture with Data and Technology

Southwest Airlines is renowned for its exceptional customer service, but what's the secret behind this success?

The answer is data.

In this episode, host Jess Carter sits down with Southwest Airlines Managing Director of Technology and Business Data Delivery France Grenot. They discuss how real-time analytics and data-driven solutions are at the heart of Southwest's operations, helping the airline deliver great service, manage unforeseen disruptions, and stay ahead of the competition.

You'll learn what led to Southwest's bold move to introduce assigned seating and how the airline expertly balances operational efficiency while staying true to its culture of hospitality.

• How data powers Southwest Airlines' customer service and operations

• The value of learning from other organizations with similar values

• Why customer feedback is critical to shaping business strategies

Things to listen for:

• (00:00) Introduction to the episode with guest France Grenot
• (05:40) Customer loyalty and hospitality
• (08:42) Using real-time data for operational efficiency
• (12:06) Changes to Southwest's assigned seating scheme
• (18:05) Using data for pricing and operational decisions
• (22:31) Sharing best practices with other customer-centric companies
• (25:34) Customer data privacy at Southwest Airlines

A student's success depends on more than just academic learning; it's also shaped by their health, access to enrichment opportunities, and the support of their family.

In this episode, host Jess Carter is joined by Shaina Cavazos, director of the Office of Education Innovation at the Indianapolis Mayor's Office. They discuss ConnectIndy, a program adapted from Boston College's City Connects. The program addresses outside factors affecting students' learning potential without putting that burden on teachers.

Shaina discusses how every ConnectIndy school has a dedicated coordinator creating tailored plans to connect students and their families with the necessary resources, allowing teachers to focus on classroom instruction. She also highlights how ConnectIndy's public data dashboard—the first of its kind for City Connects—empowers educators and enables policymakers to make decisions that benefit students holistically.

• How ConnectIndy ensures that resources reach students who need them most

• Why a public dashboard fosters transparency and drives action

• How Indianapolis is using data to improve the education system

Things to listen for:

• (00:00) Introduction to the episode with guest Shaina Cavazos
• (03:14) How the City Connects program helps students and teachers
• (06:09) Early implementation of ConnectIndy
• (08:51) Empowering donors through ConnectIndy's dashboard
• (14:52) Using concrete data to drive change
• (17:33) Data collection for individual student support plans
• (18:53) Longitudinal data and continuation of the City Connects program
• (20:59) Comparing data across different states and programs

Resources:

ConnectIndy

The Office of Education Innovation

In this replay episode, Jess Carter and Resultant's Data Modeler, Brittany Goodwin, discuss the importance of laying the right foundation for scalable data success. To start, one must ask the right questions and focus on strategy over tools in order to lay the groundwork for scalable, long-term success.

Their conversation sets the stage for insights from Resultant's Client Success Leader, Brian Vinson, and Machelle Noel of the Texas Rangers Baseball Organization, whose experience mirrors these concepts. Michelle shares how the Rangers leveraged a Strategic Data Roadmap to prepare for their new, state-of-the-art ballpark. She reveals how starting with strategy enabled her team to integrate real-time data for concessions, ticketing, and operations, enhancing both fan experience and business outcomes.

• The framework for building a scalable data model with analytics

• How to use data to address operational bottlenecks in real-time

• How a partner can transform your data strategy and outcomes

Things to listen for:

• (00:00) An introduction to the episode with Brittany Goodwin
• (04:00) Start with strategy before selecting tools
• (06:50) The importance of modular data models for scalability and efficiency
• (10:49) Finding quick wins with the right data
• (13:14) Scaling data analytics with the Texas Rangers Baseball Organization
• (16:27) Strategic data assessment with Resultant
• (20:14) Real-time reporting for game day operations
• (23:31) How data helped the Texas Ranges pivot during COVID-19
• (27:09) Sharing key insights with stakeholders

Resources:

A Lot Going on at the Moment: Data and Taylor Swift's Eras Tour

Data should be treated as a product, not an afterthought, to unlock its true potential in driving business success.

This is the approach at Stanley Black & Decker.

Director of Data Product Development Jason Winterbottom takes us behind the scenes of the company's data transformation. Jason shares how his team tackled the complexities of creating a unified, reliable data platform in a global organization. He highlights the importance of establishing good data governance and listening to user feedback.

Data alone doesn't drive success—it's how you manage, trust, and use it to create a meaningful impact that makes the difference.

• Why treating data as a product can drive better business value

• The role of user feedback in shaping effective data systems

• What a "golden record" is and why you need it for data accuracy

Things to listen for:

• (00:00) Introduction to the episode with guest Jason Winterbottom
• (03:27) How Stanley Black & Decker's data governance journey began
• (08:52) The challenges in building a centralized data platform
• (13:15) Listening to user feedback to improve data systems
• (19:54) The "golden record" and its role in data management
• (26:55) Treating data as a product
• (30:10) Analogies to better understand data governance
• (36:14) How to get started with generative AI

The healthcare system isn't perfect, but through the use of tech and data, we can ease the patient experience and ensure critical information is available when needed most.

In this episode, Colorado Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera and Director of the Office of eHealth Innovation Stephanie Pugliese discuss the implementation of Colorado's Social Health Information Exchange (CoSHIE) network. They share the importance of seamless health data integration and cite use cases that enhance patient care, reduce administrative burdens, and improve health outcomes. Their collaborative approach respects local needs while building a statewide network to support communities across Colorado.

Tune in to learn how data-driven health initiatives are transforming healthcare accessibility and helping Colorado set a national standard for whole-person health.

• The social determinants of health and ways to address them
• Colorado's approach to making statewide health data useful for community providers
• How to build trust and ensure security in data-sharing initiatives

Things to listen for:

• (00:00) An introduction to the episode with guests Stephanie Pugliese and Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera
• (04:16) Health IT for whole-person health
• (09:32) Colorado Social Health Information Exchange (CoSHIE)
• (16:05) The social determinants of health
• (19:44) Improving healthcare for vulnerable populations
• (23:18) The importance of trust in data-sharing agreements
• (27:17) Understanding the CoSHIE platform's capabilities
• (30:22) How to stay motivated through complex data projects