Data Driven Leadership

AI can feel abstract until it's tied to something real. At Southwest Airlines, it's used to improve flight operations, support frontline staff, and help leaders make faster decisions. In this episode, Jess Carter chats with Justin Bundick , managing director of artificial intelligence at Southwest Airlines . He shares how the airline built an AI strategy that works across departments by pairing sm...

Data governance depends on data management and vice versa. You need both working together to make data reliable, usable, and secure. In this episode, Jess Carter talks with Diana Barrett and Stephanie Semaan from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). With data management already in place, they recognized the need for data governance to create shared standards, improve data access,...

Marketing is often misunderstood, seen as either all creativity or all data. In truth, it's both. Great marketing lives at the intersection of bold ideas and sharp analytics, and few leaders navigate that space better than Shannon Duffy , chief marketing officer at Asana . In this episode, Shannon joins Jess Carter to share how she drives marketing that delivers real business results. She explains...

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 But its long history brings complex challenges: rigid systems, layered policies, and outdated tech that's difficult to change.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 di...

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 in...

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 experti...

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 decision...

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 discusse...

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 airl...

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 . Th...

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...

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 orga...

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. Th...

Do you really know how your customers feel, or are you just guessing?  In this episode, Jack Walker , president of Walker Information , reveals why listening to customer feedback is the key to great customer experience. Jack shares the story of his family-run company, which has used data for over 85 years to drive business success by speaking directly to customers. He explains why testimonials, es...

"Ultimately, the goal of a data team should be to have a direct stake in the company's P&L." According to Lina Mikolajczyk , director of reporting and analytics at Bumble , data should play a role in driving real business impact.  In this episode, Lina shares her journey of transforming Bumble's data team from a reactive service into a proactive force, empowering teams across the company with self...

Access to the right data can reshape the public sector, driving efficiency and paving the way for more effective justice. In this episode,  Darren Dang , Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Orange County Superior Court, discusses how one of the largest court systems in the U.S. modernized its operations. Through the Snowflake platform, Orange County centralized its data, leading to more...

Some of the most valuable leadership lessons come from challenging life experiences. In this episode, host Jess Carter and producer Chelsea Gill get personal as they talk about battling cancer, from receiving their diagnosis to deciding on a treatment plan—and the way data played a part in their decisions. Now both in remission, Jess and Chelsea reflect on how their journeys have influenced their...

To address workforce issues plaguing the country, the public and private sectors must come together to find a solution.  In the fourth episode of the workforce miniseries, Workmorphis founder and CEO Emily Fabiano joins guest host Michael Schmierer to discuss how cross-agency collaboration can drive change. With shared goals and a solid implementation plan, state agencies and nonprofits can transf...

While many programs are designed to help job seekers, the lack of coordination between each initiative thwarts the impactful results everyone seeks. In this episode of the workforce miniseries, founder and CEO of One Workforce Solution, John Pallasch , talks with guest host Michael Schmierer about bringing together different state agencies for seamless service. Having worked for the U.S. Departmen...

How can we ensure that veterans find meaningful work after service?  In this episode of the workforce miniseries, Sarah Harrison , interim CEO of INvets , joins guest host Michael Schmierer to explore the unique challenges veterans face as they transition to civilian careers. Sarah discusses how INvets is using data and technology to help veterans find meaningful work opportunities in Indiana and...

When workforce issues go beyond finding workers, you must dig deeper.  In this first episode of the workforce miniseries, Commissioner Michael Harrington of the Vermont Department of Labor joins guest host Michael Schmierer to discuss the root causes behind the labor shortage.  Harrington explains how Vermont is using cutting-edge technology to improve service delivery and why community-level chan...

Podcasting has been incredibly popular for over a decade, but you might be surprised to learn that quantitative data is still scarce in this industry. In this episode of #DataDrivenLeadership, Crime Junkie's award-winning creator and podcast host Ashley Flowers shares the humble beginnings of her show and how she used data to build her media company, audiochuck. Ashley shares how to make the best...

Have you ever wondered how to transform dry data into compelling stories that captivate your audience? Or how top leaders master the art of communication in data-driven environments? Good news—in this episode of Data-Driven Leadership , host Jess Carter sits down with returning guest Christopher Chin, a renowned leadership communication coach for data and tech professionals, to discuss just that....

Iowa has developed a unique ecosystem to set its children up for success. And what's at the crux of that ecosystem? Data. Dr. Heather Rouse , associate professor of human development and family studies at Iowa State University , and Amanda Winslow , Early Childhood Iowa system facilitator at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, join guest host Curt Merlau to discuss how their partners...

For decades, the tennis industry lacked real-time data. Strategic decisions were made based on annual reports, creating lags in insights and inefficiencies. However, within a year United States Tennis Association Director of Digital Business Development Brooke Austin and her team initiated USTA Connect, a digital, data-driven platform gathering real-time data from players, retailers, and manufactu...