LEAD WITH DATA Podcast

Joining me in this week’s episode is Luis Harringhton, an expert in data leadership with extensive experience in building scalable and adaptable data environments. In this episode, Luis discusses the importance of establishing strong data foundations and the significant costs of poor data strategies. He emphasises the critical role of change management in ensuring successful data initiatives.

Our conversation explores the challenges organisations face in balancing quick wins with long-term scalability while navigating rapidly changing technologies. Luis shares valuable insights from his career, offering advice for leaders looking to build data environments that are both flexible and future-proof. This episode provides actionable guidance for organisations striving to create resilient and effective data strategies.

00:00 Building Scalable Data Environments

08:56 The Cost of Poor Data Foundations

14:27 The Importance of Change Management

19:20 Successful Data Strategies in Action

23:18 Navigating Technology Changes

28:27 Balancing Quick Results with Long-Term Goals

Joining me in this weeks episode is Shehan, a seasoned data leader with extensive experience in guiding organisations through data-driven transformations. In this episode, Shehan discusses the critical importance of proving the value of data initiatives within organizations. He reflects on his career journey in data leadership, sharing insights on how to demonstrate both tangible and perceived value to secure executive buy-in.

Our conversation dives into the challenges of overcoming resistance from executives, the significance of building a strong data team brand, and the necessity of diverse skill sets within data teams. Shehan also highlights the role of effective storytelling, managing expectations, and the importance of continuous communication in navigating challenges and failures. This episode offers valuable advice for data leaders seeking to enhance their influence and effectiveness in their organisations.

00:00 Proving the Value of Data Initiatives

01:26 Shihan's Career Journey in Data Leadership

04:37 Challenges in Demonstrating Data Value

07:32 Overcoming Executive Resistance to Data Initiatives

10:53 Building Team Brand and Skills

13:08 The Importance of Team Structure

17:48 Identifying and Nurturing Talent

21:08 Creating Perceived Value from Tangible Outcomes

24:54 The Role of Storytelling in Data

29:11 Building Collaboration Across Teams

32:43 Managing Expectations for Data Projects

35:21 Embracing Failure and Learning

38:43 Advice for Data Leaders Seeking Buy-In

On this weeks episode, I was joined by Ben Pattison, an experienced executive data leader with a diverse career spanning multiple industries, including financial services, manufacturing, transportation, and, most recently, the travel sector. With extensive expertise in data strategy, analytics, and governance, Ben has a proven track record of driving data-driven decision-making, scaling advanced analytics, and delivering commercial value across complex organisations. During our discussion, he shared his journey and insights from leading data initiatives across various sectors. We delve into the challenges and opportunities of applying data strategies in diverse industries, such as overcoming the complexities of legacy systems and scaling advanced analytics. Ben also highlights the importance of balancing federated and centralised data models while identifying the key factors for successful data adoption. 

What stood out most in our conversation was his practical approach—emphasising the value of not overcomplicating processes or reinventing the wheel, but instead embracing the existing environment and finding ways to drive value within embedded data systems.

On this epsiode of the Lead with Data podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Zak Khan, Director of AI and Data, to explore what it really means for AI to drive business value.

Zak brings a wealth of experience as a senior data leader, having worked across industries to help organisations harness the power of AI and data to solve complex challenges and deliver measurable outcomes. In our conversation, we covered how organisations can move beyond proofs-of-concept and technology implementations to create tangible business value, such as increasing revenue or reducing costs, why Data & AI initiatives often lose their business focus, and how to keep executives engaged throughout the journey. Given this is a current and common challenge, listen in to hear how you could navigate these obstacles and drive meaningful impact in your organisation.

Lead with Data Podcast – Season 4 - Episode 22 – “The

Evolving Data Scientist in an AI-Driven World”

A question that comes up often is whether the role of a Data Scientist is changing or disappearing in the age of AI. To unpack this, I’m excited to welcome Dr. Maruf Hossain, one of the Global Top 100 Innovators in Data and Analytics 2024. As a pioneering leader in AI and data science in Australia, Dr. Hossain has delivered tangible business value across startups,

enterprises, consulting firms, and government agencies. With a PhD in AI from The University of Melbourne, a master’s in software engineering, and an Honours in Mathematics, he’s more than qualified to discuss this topic. In this episode, Dr. Maruf Hossain explores the evolving role of the data scientist in an AI-driven world, discussing key shifts in skills, collaboration, and the impact of automation and no-code tools. Tune in to hear insights on the future of data science and how professionals can stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies.

In this episode of the Lead with Data podcast, I’m joined by Amit Agarwala to discuss the key topic of data migration, with a focus on governance and transformation. As more businesses shift to cloud environments, moving data between systems becomes increasingly complex. Amit is an experienced leader who brings a wealth of experience across a range of industries driving data and digital migration transformations. He shares his insights on how to navigate the challenges that come with data migrations, particularly through effective data governance and ensuring data quality. We cover common pitfalls, how to maintain data privacy during migrations, and the best practices for designing scalable and adaptable strategies. We also touch on how generative AI can improve the efficiency of data migrations. During our conversation Amit offers practical advice on selecting the right tools, overcoming obstacles, and ensuring the long-term quality and accessibility of migrated data.

On this episode, I was delighted to sit down with Nagender Chetti from Suncorp to unpack his remarkable career journey and gain insights into the strategies that have driven his success. With over 20 years of expertise in the Insurance, Financial Services, and Technology sectors, Nagender has made significant contributions to Suncorp over the past 16 years, where he has thrived in various senior data leadership roles. As a fervent advocate for leveraging data to drive strategic decisions and foster business growth, he has distinguished himself as a prominent leader in the data and analytics landscape.

Nagender's career is defined by his unwavering commitment to excellence in data strategy, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data governance, advanced analytics, and business intelligence. Recently named one of the Top 25 Analytics Leaders by the Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia, he continues to deliver impactful results through his visionary leadership and strategic insights.

Join us to learn more about how he has navigated his career through his tenure and his path to leadership.

On this episode, I am excited to share a fireside discussion on Data Security. It’s quite scary when you realise how the amount of data available on us is making it easier for cybercriminals, which only highlights why this role will become more prominent. As data security becomes a crucial priority for organisations, we’re seeing the rise of dedicated data roles that focus entirely on safeguarding information. But what does a Data Security Specialist actually do? Where does this role fit within the wider data team?And how does it differ from traditional data roles?

In this episode, I sit down with Aline Braganca, who made the transition from a traditional data role into data security. We discuss her journey, the evolving landscape of data security, and dive deep into the key responsibilities, challenges, and skills required for this vital role.

Whether you’re curious about the rise of data security roles or considering this as a career path, this episode will provide valuable insights into how organisations are adapting to keep their data secure intoday’s complex environment.

Tune in to learn more about what it means for the future of data careers.

In this episode, our conversation dives into the role of Business Intelligence (BI) in driving strategic value within organisations. We explore how to align BI with broader business goals, the essential roles for building a high-performing BI team, and the importance of balancing technical expertise with business insight. Our guest shares insights on where BI fits within the wider data ecosystem, the challenges of centralised vs decentralised BI models, and real-world examples of turning around BI projects that struggled to deliver.

Ever wondered what it really takes to deliver a large-scale data transformation? I had the privilege of sitting down with Bryn Goodey (Head of APAC Data Delivery for SEEK), who led the data transformation as part SEEK's Unification Program—a massive initiative that consolidated all of SEEK's online product and corporate systems for eight countries across the APAC region.

In this episode, Bryn takes us through their journey, sharing key considerations, how they balanced the ongoing demands of the business with the project’s needs, and the obstacles they had to overcome. He shares valuable insights on key lessons learned, as well as potential pitfalls to avoid when managing such complex transformations.

If you’re looking for practical takeaways on embarking on large-scale data transformations, this is the episode for you.