Data and Drams

Welcome to Data & Drams. In this episode, I was joined by Craig Hayes, an IT and general business executive who has spent the last 25 years building and managing global teams at an immense scale. From leading Fraud and Risk operations in Cape Town to serving as Senior Vice President of Business Operations for Mastercard, Craig has navigated some of the most complex transaction chains in the wo...

Welcome back to Data and Drams! In this episode, I’m joined by Gabriela, a cybersecurity leader whose career path started not in a server room, but on the open ocean. Transitioning from the maritime industry to the front lines of digital defence, she brings a unique perspective forged in the high-stakes environment of cruise ships, where risk management, resilience, and adaptability aren't jus...

Welcome back to Data and Drams! In this episode, I'm joined by Soumya Nair, AVP Business Analytics & Transformation at PCCW Global.  Soumya went from an inspiring computer engineer to data transformation leader with a rich history of navigating and shaping complex business landscapes.  She has carved an intrapreneurial journey through the technology and transformation sectors, driven by relent...

They say the best stories are told over a shared drink. This year, I’ve sat across the table from actuarial legends, cybersecurity warriors, and digital pioneers. I’ve tasted everything from the unfortunate "paint stripper" Samoan whisky to award-winning Tasmanian malts. But more importantly, I’ve learned that in the world of tech, the data is just the starting point—it’s the people and...

Welcome back to Data & Drams! In this episode, I was joined by Bradley Watson , the Founder and CEO of Akela Group , a leading consultancy that just celebrated its 5th anniversary. With over 30 years of experience spanning the Australian Army, the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), and the public sector, his career has covered everything from cyber warfare and counterterrorism to disaster r...

Welcome back to Data & Drams! In this episode, I was  joined by James Wilson , a Partner in Data & AI at Mantel Group. James shares his fascinating and truly diverse career journey, starting from his early days in the Big Five consulting world with international experiences in London, Zurich, and France, all the way to leading major digital transformations across a range of industries. Our...

Welcome to Data & Drams, in this interview, I was thrilled to be joined by ⁠ Sasenka Abeysooriya ⁠ , who shared his fascinating, non-linear journey from the Netherlands to Australia, all the while navigating the professional evolution of project management into the critical field of data governance. As Strategy Director for ⁠ The University of Queensland ⁠ and ⁠ AUSCERT ⁠ , he leads initiative...

In this interview I was thrilled to be joined by Louise Lowde, who shared her 20 year journey from an actuarial graduate to the head of data. We dove into her passion for math and problem-solving, exploring the pivotal moment she transitioned from actuarial science to data analytics. Louise offers candid perspectives on her career's challenges and breakthroughs, including navigating gender bia...

Welcome to Data & Drams, the podcast where we distill the best careers in tech! I’m your host, Sarah. And every two weeks, I’m putting aside the emails, the meetings, and the corporate speak to sit down with a leading professional in the tech industry for a truly intimate conversation over a glass of whisky. In my role, I get a front-row seat to the discussions and decisions that shape the tec...

Welcome to Data & Drams, the podcast that distills the best careers in tech! I'm your host, Sarah, and every two weeks, I'm joined by a leading professional in the tech industry for an intimate conversation over a glass of whisky. Having a front-row seat to the discussions shaping tech, I've learned that great leadership isn't some superpower—it's a journey shared by relata...