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In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker sits down with Jessica Talisman, Senior Information Architect at Adobe, to uncover why so many organisations struggle to move beyond basic data management.

Jessica shares in-depth industry insights on the root causes of poor data quality, the often-overlooked role of data governance, and why AI initiatives frequently fail without a robust data foundation.

From her unique career path rooted in library and information science to leading complex data ecosystems in tech, Jessica offers a fresh, pragmatic view on what it really takes to build scalable, trusted data systems.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:38 Jessica's Unconventional Career Path

03:19 Motivations and Career Shifts

05:03 The Importance of Data Management

08:11 Emerging Roles in Data and AI

10:43 Passion and Career Growth

27:38 Facing Career Setbacks

33:59 Navigating Life's Challenges with Self-Care

35:03 The Importance of Mindset and Personal Growth

35:36 Turning Setbacks into Opportunities

39:31 Discovering and Leveraging Your Superpowers

45:20 Building High-Quality Data Ecosystems

47:37 The Role of Leadership in Data Governance

55:31 Breaking Down Data Silos

59:16 Investing in Knowledge Graphs

01:04:04 Advice for Data Leaders

01:07:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker speaks with Joe Bugajski, former Chief Data Officer at Visa and Gartner.

Joe shares his remarkable career journey, which included building prototype vehicles, launching a machine learning company, and becoming a C-level data leader and coach.

For the data topic, we discuss what it really takes to lead and coach high-performing data teams. Joe offers honest insights on moving from technical expert to leader, how to communicate data value to the business, and the importance of self-awareness, feedback, and continuous learning in leadership.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:35 Joe’s Career Journey

03:47 Transition to Leadership

06:52 Building and Managing Teams

09:32 Importance of Communication and Feedback

26:02 Key Moments and Career Transformations

42:42 Embracing Failure and Persistence

43:13 Healthy Outlets for Stress

43:54 The Importance of Hobbies

44:59 Learning from Setbacks

45:38 Skills for Industry Success

46:50 The Role of Vision in Leadership

47:09 Mathematics and Machine Learning

48:13 The Value of Persistence

48:29 Effective Communication and Data Understanding

50:43 The Future of Data Science and AI

53:55 The Role of C-Level Leaders in Data and AI

01:00:54 Skills for the Next Generation of Data Professionals

01:08:17 Building a Culture of Experimentation

01:13:16 Preparing Teams for AI Integration

01:18:06 Concluding Thoughts and Final Advice

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In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker talks with Anju Gupta, the Chief Data and AI Officer at BNSF Railway, to explore her successful career journey to date and discuss AI adoption.

Anju reveals her career journey, sharing pivotal moments that shaped her path and the profound influence of AI on various industries. She discusses overcoming challenges, the significance of collaboration, and essential skills like resilience, humility, and influencing.

Anju provides a detailed exploration of AI adoption at scale, highlighting common roadblocks, strategic approaches for aligning AI with business goals, and the importance of a well-rounded build, buy, and partner strategy.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:39 Anju's Early Career Journey

03:43 Pivotal Moments and AI Adoption

06:15 Overcoming Challenges and Building Influence

17:23 The Importance of Mentors and Sponsors

24:32 Handling Setbacks and Learning from Failure

29:04 The Dangers of Comparison

31:15 Skills for Success in the Industry

34:10 Challenges in AI Adoption

42:50 Moving from AI Experimentation to Full-Scale Adoption

46:48 Common Mistakes in Early AI Adoption

50:55 Aligning AI Initiatives with Business Goals

53:26 Leveraging External Expertise for AI Success

56:42 Final Thoughts and Advice

Thank you for listening!