Women in Big Data Podcast: Career, Big Data & Analytics Insights

Listen and get insights into "Mentoring - Meet Them Where They Are" in this talk with Deborah Sgro and Erika Lunceford. Deborah is the founder of Beyond Glass Ceiling and Global Mentoring Director at Women in Big Data, as well as an advisory board member. Erica is leading to transformation and delivery for City National Bank at RBC Capital Markets.

In this episode you will get insight into the impact and success of the Women in Big Data Global Mentoring Initiative, as it marks its 5th anniversary in 2026. The conversation covers the mentoring program's start and the results from its first multi-year study: mentors and mentees profiles, categories, and feedback, and expected program improvements based on lessons learned. Additionally, our guest also share their career insights.

"Technology is gonna change. We've seen it change a lot in our lives. And, it's going to continue to do so. And so it's important to know how to learn new technical skills, but the focus of the mentoring oftentimes needs to be more on the strategy. So that's my favorite part of mentoring, is really helping people step back: look at where they are, and think strategically about where they wanna go, and a plan that fits who they are at that point in time." - Erika Lunceford.

Guest Info

• LinkedIn: Deborah Sgro
• LinkedIn: Erika Lunceford

Mentoring Program - Women in Big Data
Mentoring is essential to success at every stage of a women’s career, both as a mentee and mentor. The many WiBD mentoring programs are open to WiBD members and cover opportunities for junior, mid-career, and senior women in technology. Not yet a member? No worries. By joining a mentoring program, you automatically become a WiBD member. Both membership and mentoring are free of charge.

Website: Women in Big Data Podcast
LinkedIn:  Follow - Women in Big Data
Contact us: [email protected]

Listen and get insights into "Data, AI & Business Outcomes" in this talk with Amit Shivpuja and Madhavi Rajan. Amit is the Director of Data & AI Enablement at Walmart, and author of the book: The Data & AI Compass. Madhavi is the Head of Product Strategy, Research & Operations at Rackspace Technology, and she is a Member of the Board of Directors at Women in Big Data.

In this episode you will gain insights into the intersection of AI, Data, and Business outcomes, emphasizing the importance of AI and data literacy in organizations. You will learn that many enterprises, especially within the Fortune 100, are still in the early stages of AI adoption, shifting from hype to practical execution. The conversation highlights the need for categorizing AI initiatives to improve operational efficiency, customer engagement, and product strategies. Central to the dialogue is the emphasis on strong leadership and organizational alignment to effectively navigate the continuously changing AI landscape and drive meaningful business transformation.

"I would say AI isn't a tech in initiator. It's actually a leadership shift. So, we are not just like rolling out the models or the product; it's actually much more than that. It's is values, it's risk, and it's trust. And that takes not just innovation of your product but it takes like alignment, and then the sponsorship and executive courage." - Madhavi Rajan.

Guest Info

• LinkedIn: Amit Shivpuja
• LinkedIn: Madhavi Rajan

Resources

• Book: The Data & AI Compass (Amit Shivpuja)
• Website: https://daicompass.com
• Book: The Thinking Machine (Stephen Witt)

Mentoring Program - Women in Big Data
Mentoring is essential to success at every stage of a women’s career, both as a mentee and mentor. The many WiBD mentoring programs are open to WiBD members and cover opportunities for junior, mid-career, and senior women in technology. Not yet a member? No worries. By joining a mentoring program, you automatically become a WiBD member. Both membership and mentoring are free of charge.

Website: Women in Big Data Podcast
LinkedIn:  Follow - Women in Big Data
Contact us: [email protected]

Listen and get insights into "Rebooting Tech Culture" in this talk with Telle Whitney. Telle is a Senior Executive Leader, an Entrepreneur, and a recognized Advocate on Women & Technology. She has over 20 years of leadership experience and was named one of Fast Company’s most influential Women in Technology. 

In this episode of the Women in Big Data Podcast, you will learn valuable lessons from Telle's book "Rebooting Tech Culture: How to Ignite Innovation and Build Organizations Where Everyone Can Thrive." You’ll explore and gain insights into Telle's 6 Cs framework—creativity, courage, confidence, curiosity, communication, and community. Tune in to discover how you can apply these 6 Cs to your own Data & AI journey!

In this episode of the Women in Big Data Podcast, we talk about Telle's book "Rebooting Tech Culture: How to ignite Innovation and Build Organizations Where Everyone Can Thrive". We explore and gain insights into Telle's 6 Cs framework - creativity, courage, confidence, curiosity, communication, community. Tune in and discover how you can apply these 6 Cs to your own Data & AI journey!

"The book is Rebooting Technology: How to Ignite Innovation and Build Organizations Where Everyone Can Thrive. And there's 6 Cs. It's built on this framework of 6 Cs, which is creativity, an innovative culture that is truly creative. Finding the courage to take risks. Building a culture of confidence where people speak their mind and speak their ideas. Embracing curiosity, so always figuring out new ideas. Learning to communicate because without communicating your ideas, you're not going to be able to create change. And then ultimately, community, because community is how we nurture ourselves in order to move forward"- Telle Whitney. 

• 1:37 - The Why of Telle's book: Rebooting Tech Culture - How to Ignite Innovation and Build Organizations Where Everyone Can Thrive
• 2:33 - Telle's 6 Cs framework - creativity, courage, confidence, curiosity, communication, community
• 5:25 - 6 Cs: the biggest barrier
• 6:23 - 6 Cs: the biggest catalyst
• 7:46 - The business case for culture investment
• 8:46 -  Measurements that actually move the needle
• 10:23 - Strategies that can make women in data and AI truly indispensable besides up-skilling and staying current
• 12:37 - AI code without a strong engineer in charge: more problems than solutions 
• 13:44 - Courage to take risks: look for startups that are doing interesting things
• 17:06 - Who's a woman in big data and AI that you admire and why?                   
• 17:34 - What is the best career advice you've ever received?                                 
• 18:06 - What three ingredients go into your career recipe?                                    
• 19:11 - Leaving an organization if it doesn't work for you is really important       
• 20:06 - Telle's message for the Women in Big Data Community

Guest Info

• LinkedIn: Telle

Mentoring Program - Women in Big Data
Mentoring is essential to success at every stage of a women’s career, both as a mentee and mentor. The many WiBD mentoring programs are open to WiBD members and cover opportunities for junior, mid-career, and senior women in technology. Not yet a member? No worries. By joining a mentoring program, you automatically become a WiBD member. Both membership and mentoring are free of charge.

Website: Women in Big Data Podcast
LinkedIn:  Follow - Women in Big Data
Contact us: [email protected]

Listen and get insights into Friendship & Career Growth in this talk with Surekha Reddy and Aruna Nadesan. Surekha is the Founder & Chief Product and Technology Officer at Cognogent, an AI Start-up streamlining complex RFP processes through AI-driven solutions. Aruna is the Chief Product Officer at Exponential AI, a Healthcare AI Platform Company that helps Health Enterprises build smarter processes.

In this episode of the Women in Big Data Podcast, we explore the significance of Friendship & Career Growth. Tune in to discover how this can enhance your professional and personal journey.

 "Be growth mates. If you look around, you might have that one friend who is in the same industry, or following that industry, or in that space, for example. And you know, be there for each other, not only to help intellectually, but also create opportunities for growth and learn from each other. This is my advice to everyone: always look for how you can become good growth mates with your friends." - Aruna Nadesan

• 01:27 - The start of Surekha's & Aruna's friendship
• 03:40 - Constructive feedback in friendship
• 08:00 - Insights gained from friendship
• 08:52 - Friendship & Career Growth: the one thing you really need to know
• 10:03 - Who's a woman in big data that you admire and why?
• 11:34 - What is the best career advice you have ever got?
• 13:48 - What three ingredients go into your successful career recipe?

Guest Info

• LinkedIn: Surekha Reddy
• LinkedIn: Aruna Nadesan

Resources

• Linkedin: Cognogent
• LinkedIn: Exponential AI
• Website: Cognogent
• Website: Exponential AI

Mentoring Program - Women in Big Data
Mentoring is essential to success at every stage of a women’s career, both as a mentee and mentor. The many WiBD mentoring programs are open to WiBD members and cover opportunities for junior, mid-career, and senior women in technology. Not yet a member? No worries. By joining a mentoring program, you automatically become a WiBD member. Both membership and mentoring are free of charge.

Website: Women in Big Data Podcast
LinkedIn:  Follow - Women in Big Data
Contact us: [email protected]

Join us for an insightful talk about the powerful philosophy of 'Bridging The Gap Between Good Enough & Full Throttle' with Radhika Rangarajan, Co-founder and Executive Director of Women in Big Data.

In this episode, we unpack Radhika's philosophy of 'Bridging The Gap Between Good Enough & Full Throttle', which is rooted in three fundamental principles: purpose-driven innovation, accessible excellence, and scalable impact. Tune in to discover how these ideas can guide your journey toward making a difference!

• 1:19 - The importance of the philosophy: 'Bridging The Gap Between Good Enough & Full Throttle'.
• 5:10 - Where does Radhika's philosophy come from?
• 6:44 - Artificial Intelligence and 'Bridging The Gap Between Good Enough & Full Throttle'.
• 9:33 - Who's a woman, or a group of women, in big data that Radhika deeply admires?
• 10:21 - How did Women in Big Data start?
• 14:46 - What is the best career advice that Radhika has ever received?
• 19:06 - What 3 ingredients go into Radhika's successful career recipe?
• 21:27 - The most meaningful innovation comes from pausing to ask: 'why'?

Guest Info

• LinkedIn: Radhika Rangarajan

Mentoring Program - Women in Big Data
Mentoring is essential to success at every stage of a women’s career, both as a mentee and mentor. The many WiBD mentoring programs are open to WiBD members and cover opportunities for junior, mid-career, and senior women in technology. Not yet a member? No worries. By joining a mentoring program, you automatically become a WiBD member. Both membership and mentoring are free of charge.

Website: Women in Big Data Podcast
LinkedIn:  Follow - Women in Big Data
Contact us: [email protected]

Listen and get insights about Lift As You Climb in this talk with Ryan Tabrah (Vice President & General Manager of Xeon and Compute Products at Intel Corporation), and Donna Donnelly (OEM Account Director at NXP Semiconductors).

In this episode we talk about Lift As You Climb - a philosophy that emphasizes helping others as you achieve success in your career: 

• 1:06 - The meaning Lift As You Climb & How it Helps Your Career 
• 15:29 - Your Career & Lifting Others Up While You Climb 
• 18:34 - Career Question 1: Who's a Woman You Admire & Why? 
• 21:39 - Career Question 2: What is the Best Career Advice You Have Ever Received? 
• 24:47 - Career Question 3: Which 3 Ingredients Go into Your Career Recipe?

Guest Info

• LinkedIn: Ryan Tabrah
• LinkedIn: Donna Donnelly

Mentoring Program - Women in Big Data
Mentoring is essential to success at every stage of a women’s career, both as a mentee and mentor. The many WiBD mentoring programs are open to WiBD members and cover opportunities for junior, mid-career, and senior women in technology. Not yet a member? No worries. By joining a mentoring program, you automatically become a WiBD member. Both membership and mentoring are free of charge.

Website: Women in Big Data Podcast
LinkedIn:  Follow - Women in Big Data
Contact us: [email protected]

Listen and get insights about How To Tap into Your Potential in this talk with Joanna Bloor (CEO, Founder - The Amplify Lab).

We talk about: Joanna's inspiration for her Book 'Tales of Potential - The Cinderella Story You Haven't Heard'; Exploring the Concept of Now, Near, and Future Thinking; Cinderella's Story - A Tale of Ambition and Power; The Importance of Authenticity; Exercises and Tools for Unlocking Your Unique Potential. 

Guest Info

• LinkedIn: Joanna Bloor
• LinkedIn: The Amplify Lab

Resources

• Book: Tales of Potential - The Cinderella Story You Haven't Heard (Joanna Bloor)
• Book: Clever Lazy (Joan Bodger)
• Website: Joanna Bloor

Mentoring Program - Women in Big Data
Mentoring is essential to success at every stage of a women’s career, both as a mentee and mentor. The many WiBD mentoring programs are open to WiBD members and cover opportunities for junior, mid-career, and senior women in technology. Not yet a member? No worries. By joining a mentoring program, you automatically become a WiBD member. Both membership and mentoring are free of charge.

Website: Women in Big Data Podcast
LinkedIn:  Follow - Women in Big Data
Contact us: [email protected]

Listen and get insights into Data Science & Presentation Skills in this talk with Margot Gerritsen, (Founder & Former Executive Director Women in Data Science (WiDS) Worldwide, and Professor [Emerita] Stanford University).

We talk about: presentation framing and motivation;  understanding your audience and the 2 - 3 messages you want them to remember; similarities between your presentation and writing a newspaper article; ending your presentation with a memorable takeaway; explaining where your data is coming from and how you look at the data; overcoming your fear of public speaking - you have nothing to lose, but you have something to gain; being honest about your data and the outcomes; practicing your presentation - the value of multiple dry runs; managing stage fright and anxiety; reducing presentation fears by inviting criticism early on - it will make you a better presenter. 

Guest Info

• LinkedIn: Margot Gerritsen
• LinkedIn: Women in Data Science

Resources

• Book: Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics (Michael Wheeler)
• Website: Women in Data Science
• YouTube: Women in Data Science

Support the Show: Hey There! Become a supporter and help us create great Women in Big Data content for listeners everywhere. It starts at $3 per month, and you can cancel anytime

Mentoring Program - Women in Big Data
Mentoring is essential to success at every stage of a women’s career, both as a mentee and mentor. The many WiBD mentoring programs are open to WiBD members and cover opportunities for junior, mid-career, and senior women in technology. Not yet a member? No worries. By joining a mentoring program, you automatically become a WiBD member. Both membership and mentoring are free of charge.

Website: Women in Big Data Podcast
LinkedIn:  Follow - Women in Big Data
Contact us: [email protected]

Listen and get insights into Tech Roles in GenAI Times in this talk with Nahia Orduña, Technical Leader Strategic Accounts at Amazon Web Services and co-author—together with Slavik Dimitrovich—of the book The Solutions Architects of the Future: Conversations about Tech Roles in GenAI times.

We talk about the relevance of Tech Roles in the age of Generative AI - especially the role of Solutions Architects; explore how Generative AI is helping Solution Architects; the importance of mentoring in the field of Solution Architecture, and how trust plays a significant role in this; what the future of the Solutions Architect role might hold; and how Artificial Intelligence is impacting all areas of business to achieve greater efficiency and creativity simultaneously.

Guest Info

• LinkedIn: Nahia Orduña
• LinkedIn: Amazon Web Services

Resources

• Book: The Solution Architects of the Future: Conversations about the Tech Roles in GenAI times
• Website: AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
• Website: AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional
• Website: PartyRock.aws - Everyone can build AI apps
• YouTube: AWS Events

Support the Show: Hey There! Become a supporter and help us create great Women in Big Data content for listeners everywhere. It starts at $3 per month, and you can cancel anytime.

Mentoring Program - Women in Big Data
Mentoring is essential to success at every stage of a women’s career, both as a mentee and mentor. The many WiBD mentoring programs are open to WiBD members and cover opportunities for junior, mid-career, and senior women in technology. Not yet a member? No worries. By joining a mentoring program, you automatically become a WiBD member. Both membership and mentoring are free of charge.

Website: Women in Big Data Podcast
LinkedIn:  Follow - Women in Big Data
Contact us: [email protected]

Listen and get insights into Trustworthy Generative AI in this talk with Veronique Van Vlasselaer and Bart Baesens. Veronique is the Analytics and AI Lead for South, West, & East Europe at SAS. She is a true data science enthusiast. Bart is a Professor of Data Science at KU Leuven in Belgium and a Lecturer at the University of Southampton. Bart co-authored more than 10 books and 250 scientific papers. Besides, he has an online learning platform called BlueCourses.

We talk about: the definition of trustworthy generative AI; 4 requirements to make AI, especially generative AI, trustworthy; advantages and disadvantages; how Bart and Veronique use generative AI professionally and personally; does generative AI improve humanity or destroy it?; generative AI education for students, employees and customers; the future of generative AI.

Guest Info

• LinkedIn: Bart Baesens
• LinkedIn: Veronique Van Vlasselaer

Resources

• Linkedin: KU Leuven
• LinkedIn: SAS 
• Website: Assessment List for Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (ALTAI) for self-assessment
• Website: BlueCourses
• Website: KU Leuven
• Website: SAS (Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Data Management)

Support the Show: Hey There! Become a supporter, and help us create great Women in Big Data content for listeners everywhere: 

Mentoring Program - Women in Big Data
Mentoring is essential to success at every stage of a women’s career, both as a mentee and mentor. The many WiBD mentoring programs are open to WiBD members and cover opportunities for junior, mid-career, and senior women in technology. Not yet a member? No worries. By joining a mentoring program, you automatically become a WiBD member. Both membership and mentoring are free of charge.

Website: Women in Big Data Podcast
LinkedIn:  Follow - Women in Big Data
Contact us: [email protected]