In this episode of the Data Neighbor Podcast, we sit down with Justin Chen, Senior Director of Growth Data Science and former Head of Data Science & Engineering at Coinbase, to dive deep into how to build scalable, high-impact data teams. We get into the mind of a data leader who has built numerous reputable data organizations to understand principles, lessons, and challenges every company faces. Justin shares invaluable insights on:- Go slow to go fast – Why early-stage speed can create long-term inefficiencies.- The evolution of data science – How different orgs (growth, core, platform) function within companies.- The myth of the unicorn data scientist – Why hiring for specialization is key.- AI's impact on data science – How automation and AI tools are shaping the future of analytics.- Getting a seat at the table – How data professionals can move from support roles to strategic leadership.Justin also shares his firsthand experience of building an AI-powered data copilot at Coinbase to streamline analytics workflows, offering a sneak peek into how AI will shape the next generation of data teams. Whether you’re a data scientist, engineer, or aspiring leader, this conversation is packed with practical advice and industry wisdom you won’t want to miss!

Connect with Justin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mingc/Connect with Hai, Sravya, and Shane (let us know which platform sent you!):Hai: https://linkedin.openinapp.co/4qi1rSravya: https://linkedin.openinapp.co/9be8cShane: https://linkedin.openinapp.co/b02fe

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