Mavens of Data

Dirty data isn't just an annoyance; it's a hidden tax on your entire business. From dashboards no one trusts, to AI models trained on flawed inputs, to analysts spending hours fixing the same problems over and over again, poor data quality quietly drains time, money, and confidence. In this episode of Mavens of Data, we're joined by  Susan Walsh (data quality expert and The Classification Guru!) t...

In this episode of Mavens of Data, we sit down with Howard Friedman , author of "Winning with Data Science", educator, and practitioner, who has spent years helping organizations turn messy data problems into measurable business wins. We explore the models and decision frameworks used to identify where data science can create the biggest lift inside an organization, from data infrastructure and mo...

Most organizations are drowning in dashboards, KPIs, and visualizations, but starving for insights. In this episode of Mavens of Data, we'll chat with Brent Dykes , Founder of AnalyticsHero and author of Effective Data Storytelling, to break down one of the biggest misconceptions in analytics: a chart is not a story, and a data point is not an insight. Whether you're a data scientist, business ana...

You've landed the role, built a few projects, maybe even launched a dashboard or a model,  but how do you make sure your work gets noticed, adopted, and truly moves the needle? In this live session with Dora Boussias, Founder at DoraB Global, we'll dive into the practical skills that transform you from "the person who built something cool" into a trusted, influential data professional. This is abo...

The future of work is here, and it's powered by AI. But what does that mean for your career? In this episode, Maven Analytics Founder Chris Dutton is diving deep into the future of analytics and what you can do to prepare for the rapidly changing landscape. You'll learn how to leverage AI as a powerful partner, not a competitor, and discover a clear path to building a career that is resilient, ada...

How do we create analytics, machine learning, and AI that truly serve people? In this episode, we'll hear from Thais Cooke about putting ethics, bias awareness, and customer centricity at the heart of every data initiative. You'll leave with fresh insights on how to make analytics and AI sustainable, fair, and customer-focused. What You'll Learn: Building responsible analytics and AI strategies De...

Thinking about transitioning into data analytics but don't come from a traditional STEM or computer science background? In this episode of Mavens of Data, we'll hear from Monica Kay Royal , a data professional, educator, and career mentor, to unpack how effectively demonstrating transferable skills like curiosity, adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and attention to detail can set you ap...

It's been a decade since Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic 's Storytelling with Data became essential reading for anyone presenting insights visually. But the principles she teaches are timeless, and more relevant than ever. In this show, we dive into the art and craft of data storytelling through a client "makeover" example: a before-and-after transformation of how data is presented and understood. Cole wi...

In this episode, we chat with Julia Bardmesser , a data and digital transformation leader with decades of experience guiding teams and organizations to real business impact and author of "From Data to Dollars". Julia believes that if you want to grow in your career, you can't just focus on the tech. You need to ask: What am I building? How is it solving problems? Do I understand the business well...

Many data scientists and analytics professionals master the technical craft; coding, modeling, and optimizing. But making the leap from hands-on contributor to leader requires a whole new set of skills. In this episode, we sit down with Brian Evergreen — global AI strategist and author of Autonomous Transformation — to explore how Fortune 10 AI leaders think differently, and how today's data profe...

When people think about data work, they often picture analytics pipelines or machine learning models. But two areas that often get overlooked are just as important for broadening your impact: Business acumen — understanding markets, stakeholders, and how to become a trusted advisor. Data products — navigating purchased datasets like Nielsen's Billboard ratings or syndicated consumer data. In this...

Too often, data conversations get stuck in silos: tools, models, or dashboards in isolation. But data only delivers value when the entire ecosystem works together. In this episode, Dylan Anderson , Head of Data Strategy at Profusion, joins us to break down what it really means to think holistically about data. We'll explore how business strategy, organizational design, governance, tech debt, and e...

In this conversation with Nagim Ashufta , Founder of DRIVA GmbH, we dig into what it really looks like when organizations try to get serious about data. Nagim started his own agency to help companies accelerate their data capabilities, and he's seen the same challenges come up again and again. For those in analytics seeking to understand the realities of a data role, this is a great view into the...

In this episode, we're joined by Terry Dorsey, Senior Data Architect & Evangelist at Denodo, to unpack the conceptual differences between terms like data fabrics, vector databases, and knowledge graphs, and remind you not to forget about the importance of structured data in this new AI-native world! What You'll Learn: The difference between data fabrics, vector databases, and knowledge graphs — an...

Data scientists have the skills to model complex systems, work with messy data, and uncover hidden patterns. Quant scientists do all of that, but with the added thrill (and pressure) of putting real money on the line. In this episode, we sit down with Jason Strimpel , Founder of PyQuant News and Co-founder of Quant Science, to explore why data scientists are uniquely positioned to excel in algorit...

In this show, we're joined by Sean Chandler , Director of BI at CenterWell Home Health, to explore what it really means to thrive in BI today. Sean shares his personal journey, including his move into teaching, and offers practical insights on building a career in BI, self-learning for advancement, and fostering a strong partnership between BI and data science teams. Whether you're an aspiring BI...

AI isn't just accelerating productivity, it's reshaping how we structure power, make decisions, and define what "value" means in our organizations. In this episode, Felicia Newhouse — a data leader, AI strategist, and advocate for ethical, human-centered innovation — brings deep insight into how power structures in business are being reimagined in the age of AI. We dive into why so-called soft ski...

If you're thinking about Data Analyst or Data Scientist career paths, then this one is for you! In this episode with Data Career Jumpstart Founder Avery Smith , you'll learn about the differences between Analyst and Data Scientist career paths, and hear some practical advice to help you on your journey. You'll leave with a better understanding of different data roles, which might be the better fit...

From launching AI products to modernizing legacy data stacks, we're going behind the scenes of data-driven transformation in financial remittance. In this episode, we sit down with Sia Zahedi , former CDO at a global financial remittance company, to get a candid look at the projects, challenges, and decisions that define data leadership in finance. If you've ever wondered what it's like to lead da...

Ken Jee has spent a decade in sports analytics, working at the intersection of data science and athlete performance. Now, he's building The Exponential Athlete , a podcast dedicated to exploring what makes athletes reach their highest potential. In this show, Ken shares: His 10-year journey in sports analytics and the lessons data can, and can't teach us about performance. How his background in da...

Too many dashboards. Endless ad-hoc questions. Analytics teams often get trapped supporting the business, without driving it forward. In this show, Ollie Hughes , CEO of Count, will show you how to break free. Based on real-world case studies and hard-won experience, Ollie will walk us through: The common traps analytics teams fall into — and why good intentions often lead to low impact  How to sh...

In this episode, we're joined by Maven's own Chris Bruehl to unpack the 2025 data science landscape and explore what it really takes to break into the field today. If you're curious about what data scientists actually do — and how to become one — you won't want to miss this! What You'll Learn: How the data scientist role compares to other data careers The essential skills you need to land a data s...

LLMs seem like a hot solution now, until you try deploying one. In this episode, Andriy Burkov , machine learning expert and author of The Hundred-Page Machine Learning Book, joins us for a grounded, sometimes blunt conversation about why many LLM applications fail. We talk about sentiment analysis, difficulty with taxonomy, agents getting tripped up on formatting, and why MCP might not solve your...

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Dery , Vice President of Customer Success at Aera Technology, to explore a concept that's shifting how organizations think about analytics: Decision Intelligence. We unpack what decision intelligence really means (hint: it's not just another buzzword), why some data scientists still resist it, and how this discipline helps surface causal insights — not just co...

AI is moving fast, but are organizations prepared to keep up? In this episode, data professional Laura Madsen joins us to unpack why most companies are lagging behind, how tech debt is holding businesses back, and why knowledge graphs are the way forward. Join us for a bold conversation on why the AI revolution needs better data governance, not just bigger models. What You'll Learn: Who's thriving...