Women to Watch in Data

Do you know a fanastic female leader in Data, Analytics and AI? Someone who is breaking the mould, achieving greatness and someone our Driven by Data community should know more about?

Then nominate them today, and let us know more about them!

Follow the link below, and fill in the short questionaire.

Sophie Duffy is a passionate and results-driven senior leader with deep expertise across Retail, Data, and Digital Transformation. She has a proven track record of unlocking business growth, building high-performing teams, commercialising data, and translating complex data and insights into actionable strategies. Her leadership spans large, cross-functional teams and complex global environments.

Throughout her career, Sophie has consistently delivered measurable business value through innovative applications of data. Her achievements include driving impactful analytics, enhancing Product and UX understanding, expanding testing and experimentation practices, applying predictive and personalised marketing models, strengthening marketing measurement, and improving eCommerce trading and operational performance.

Sophie is deeply committed to advancing diversity and representation in data and technology. She actively supports early career development and champions the promotion of women in data and tech roles. She is a long-standing member of the Women in Data network and has been instrumental in fostering its adoption within the organisations she has worked for. In addition, she provides mentorship and coaching to help cultivate the next generation of female talent.

Ruth is passionate about simplifying and socialising the understanding of data and its business value. A former consultant, she brings experience across a range of project sizes, techniques, and governance frameworks. She is a qualified Business Analyst with a natural aptitude for Agile Scrum Master responsibilities, complemented by a reliable and comprehensive understanding of Data Management within Financial Services.

Ruth has a strong track record in both operational and strategic change initiatives, particularly in the areas of data management, governance and quality, data modeling, reporting, and compliance projects. She is an engaging team builder with a talent for building rapport, facilitating workshops, and driving creative approaches to analysis and problem solving. A dedicated advocate for peer career development and wellbeing, she brings a people-first mindset to all her work.

Currently, Ruth is focused on laying the foundations for a Data Management capability. Most recently, she completed a detailed review of policies, standards, and procedures to ensure alignment with GDPR requirements. She remains keenly interested in new opportunities to support organisations in delivering transformation that meets the evolving demands of today's business landscape.

Elodie is an experienced leader in data technology innovation, with a career spanning industry roles, consulting as a hands-on practitioner, and business operations as a Director of Operations. She brings a unique blend of strategic vision, deep technical expertise, and commercial acumen to every challenge she takes on.

A passionate advocate for data and AI, Elodie is a strategist at heart, known for enabling organisations to harness the power of data and AI through innovative, practical solutions. She has a proven track record of delivering value across all levels of the business, including at Board level. Her key areas of interest include data culture, data and AI literacy, ethics, and the evolving role of Generative AI in enhancing people’s lives and experiences.

Megan Higgins leads the Data Intelligence practice at PwC UK, where she is driven by a deep-rooted obsession with seeing the world through the eyes of the customer — whether in retail, consumer goods, hospitality, leisure or entertainment. Her passion lies in understanding what makes businesses successful in connecting with customers and earning their loyalty.

Megan works with global organisations — including retailers, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and Smart Places and Spaces — bringing both her own expertise and that of her colleagues to solve complex challenges and help clients stay ahead in a fast-evolving marketplace. As a Partner with a significant international background in data-driven transformation, she specialises in optimisation, applying agile and lean methodologies, and fostering impactful relationships across all levels of an organisation to deliver insight products that are both meaningful and actionable.

Above all, Megan is passionate about building diverse, high-performing teams and is a vocal champion for women in data and technology. For her and her team, success means delivering outstanding results — and having a great deal of fun while doing so.

Alexandra is currently the Senior Director of Data, Analytics, and Measurement at Coty, where she actively drives data-driven media and marketing strategies. Her areas of interest include performance and branding media, brand marketing, econometrics, e-commerce, web analytics, ad tech, martech, and data science.

Alexandra has expertise in using Adobe Analytics & Optimisation tools (SiteCatalyst, Discover, ReportBuilder, Test&Target), and is a certified analyst in Google Analytics, SiteCatalyst, and Adobe Analytics. She possesses in-depth knowledge of the Google Marketing Platform, including DS3, Google Ads, Campaign Manager, and holds a DV360 Fundamentals certification. Additionally, Alexandra is a member of the Digital Analytics Association and a volunteer mentor at Analysis Exchange.

Lynn Watts has over 25 years of experience across all aspects of data, with a primary focus on the financial services sector. Her background also includes significant work within the telecommunications and retail industries. In recent years, Lynn’s career has centred on the implementation of Data Governance within large-scale organisations. This has involved designing and operationalising enterprise data governance frameworks, establishing data roles and responsibilities, developing data risk and control frameworks, data cataloguing using Collibra, and implementing data quality measurement and monitoring.

She also brings considerable expertise in Data Migration, Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) solutions, Data Architecture design, ETL development, data analytics, data modelling, and data integration.

Lynn is an experienced technical project manager with a strong track record of successful delivery. She has held line management responsibilities both locally and across multiple sites.

Specialties: Data Governance, Data Risk & Control, Data Migration, Data Quality, Data Profiling, Data Integration, Data Architecture, Enterprise Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence, Master Data Management.

Dr Katia Walsh is a globally recognised business technologist with a proven track record of making brands indispensable through the strategic application of Digital, Data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities across a range of industries. She is known for transforming companies into customer-centric powerhouses, solving high-value problems that enhance customer experience, drive efficiencies, unlock new revenue streams, and deliver meaningful societal impact.

Dr Walsh has consistently delivered billions in revenues, cost savings, margin improvements, and return on investment. She has led the global vision, development, and scaling of digital products, fuelling digital disruption and innovation in both established and emerging markets. A passionate advocate for lifelong learning, she has upskilled employees with no prior coding experience into machine learning professionals, and is deeply committed to mentoring individuals and organisations to realise their full potential.

A champion for humanising the technical disciplines of digital technologies, Big Data, Machine Learning, and AI, Dr Walsh is also a leading voice in the advancement of ethical and responsible AI for social good.

Her exceptional contributions have earned her global recognition, including:

2022: Global Data Power List; Data Leader (CDO Magazine); Top 50 Women of San Francisco

2021: VentureBeat AI Mentorship Award; Evanta's Women Technology Leaders

2020: Corinium Business of Data 100 Global Data Innovators; Business Transformation 150; Leading business figures in the UK AI industry

2019: Forbes Women Defining the 21st-Century AI Movement; World Economic Forum Data Policy Leader (2019 & 2020); Top 50 Retail Insider Movers and Shakers; UK Influential Business Woman Award

2018–2019: Data Leader of the Year (Women in IT); Top 10 Most Influential People in Data-Driven Business

2017: Data Leader of the Year; Best-in-Class Winner (Internet and Telecoms); Ranked among the top five Women in Tech globally

Dr Walsh has held influential roles across industry. At Forrester, she enabled Fortune 500 brands and start-ups to capitalise on technology change. At Fidelity, she empowered businesses to meet strategic goals and lead in customer experience, including building one of the first FinTech platform businesses. While at Prudential, she launched a landmark Kaggle competition attracting ~45,000 entries and 2,200 teams, and used AI to transform life insurance sales from a 10-week to a 2-day process. At Vodafone, she built and scaled a Big Data and AI capability for 500 million customers in 25 countries, delivering €2 billion annually. Most recently, at Levi Strauss & Co., she is leading the digital, data, and AI transformation of the iconic brand.

Dr Walsh’s cross-sector expertise spans Retail, Telecommunications, FinTech, InsurTech, Financial Services, Consumer Goods, and B2B, cementing her status as one of the world’s foremost digital and data leaders.

Angela is a Chief Data and Analytics Officer who has generated multi-million pound benefits through a collaborative and business-focused approach to data and analytics in major customer-focused brands across the Telecoms, Financial Services and Insurance industries.
Angela is a specialist in driving culture, business and technology transformation in data and analytics, with an innovative approach to creating tailored data strategy, governance and centres of excellence specific to the needs of each organisation.

Nina Bryant is a strategic data expert with a strong track record of leading complex, global programmes across regulatory compliance, data protection, and business transformation. With a focus on delivering world-class technology solutions, she brings a unique ability to bridge the gap between technical data expertise and the legal, compliance, privacy, and risk domains.

Nina specialises in enabling organisations to navigate regulatory change while embedding data-led innovation. She is passionate about creating sustainable, future-proof solutions that not only meet compliance requirements but also drive operational efficiency and strategic value. Her approach is rooted in building cultures of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, leveraging technology as a key enabler for long-term success.

Recognised for her leadership in delivering impactful transformation initiatives, Nina is known for her ability to align diverse stakeholders around a shared vision—ensuring both regulatory integrity and business agility in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

At the University of East London, Zara serves as the Statutory Returns Manager, where she provides meticulous oversight of academic records. Her role is underpinned by a strong commitment to accuracy and a deep understanding of empathy mapping, ensuring that each student's academic journey is recorded with integrity and care. Zara’s attention to detail supports the university’s high standards of excellence and contributes to the overall success of its statutory reporting processes.

Jen is a future Chief Data Officer in the making. Her exceptional ability to align data with business value distinguishes her as a leader among her peers. Calm, composed, and methodical, Jen has a remarkable talent for guiding organizations through even the most complex change management initiatives. With her steady hand and strategic vision, she leads teams to the data-driven “promised land,” turning challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.
Thanks to Taylor Culver for the nomination!

Heidi Moorhouse is a seasoned Data and Technology professional with a strong passion for collaboration, innovation, and hands-on problem-solving—whether that’s in front of a whiteboard or a digital workspace. Known for her can-do attitude, Heidi actively brings others along on the journey of discovery and growth, while also nurturing and developing those skills in others. With a natural focus on delivery, she is committed to finding pragmatic, results-driven solutions.

With over 20 years of experience, Heidi has consistently bridged the gap between IT and business functions to define, design, and deliver new frameworks and capabilities. Her work has always been centred around digital solutions—enhancing everyday decision-making, enabling the integration of data and processes, unlocking access to new products and services, and improving service management and governance.

Heidi’s career spans both industry and consultancy, and she values the diverse opportunities each has brought to her professional and personal development. At the core of her approach is a belief in building trust and fostering collaboration—embedding effective data practices across both IT and business teams, and achieving success together as one team.

Jo plays a pivotal role at Lloyds, leading data culture across the organization. She oversees several critical areas, including data modelling, data quality, data governance, data risk, and until recently, data ethics. Jo manages the culture team and is a huge force in transforming the group. She is deeply respected by her team for her exceptional people management skills, and her efforts behind the scenes ensure the success of various data initiatives.
Jo regularly collaborates with key stakeholders, such as the CFO and Chief Risk Officer, to secure funding and resources for addressing significant data risks and quality issues. Her ability to balance high-level strategic discussions with the tactical execution of complex data governance and risk management tasks is integral to Lloyds’ success in managing its data infrastructure. Jo’s leadership and dedication make her a central figure in driving data excellence across the organization, yet much of her impactful work often goes unnoticed outside her immediate team.

Natalija Bezubova is a dynamic and visionary leader with over 15 years’ experience leading high-performing teams in fast-paced, competitive environments. She has a proven track record in transforming, scaling, and positioning brands for success within the gaming industry and beyond. Her expertise spans strategic planning, operational excellence, and market expansion, with a strong focus on leveraging innovative technologies and customer insights to drive revenue growth, elevate customer experience, and achieve market leadership.

An expert in data-driven decision-making, Natalija excels at building and nurturing data-centric cultures and developing analytics solutions that translate into impactful business outcomes. She is passionate about using analytics to tackle complex business challenges, optimise operations, and create competitive advantage. Her leadership style is rooted in a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Natalija is DCAM certified and currently contributes to the development of the DCAM v3 Analytics Management section in partnership with the EDM Council. She also leads an executive and ELT-level mentoring programme at Entain, designed to empower and nurture talent across all areas and global locations of the business.

Her brand portfolio includes Lloyds Banking Group, Telefónica (O2), PayPal (EMEA), William Hill, and Entain. In a consulting capacity, she has worked with organisations such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Danone, Currys & PC World, and Shell (Asian markets).

Experienced Information and knowledge management professional with a proven track record of supporting policing in optimising information and data, focussing on quality and value.

Karen Dewar is an accomplished leader in data strategy, currently heading NatWest Bank’s One Bank Analytics team. She is passionate about using data to drive customer value and strategic decision-making while fostering an inclusive team culture. Karen’s focus on collaboration and delivering impactful results has earned her high regard within the organisation. Nominated by Zachery Anderson, Karen’s leadership in data-led decision-making and her commitment to empowering people and society highlights her as a leader with both vision and purpose in the data space.

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Beth Pallone is a business-focused leader renowned for her ability to create and deliver transformative data and analytics capabilities. With a knack for turning raw, disparate data into actionable insights, she empowers organisations to make data-informed decisions that lead to measurable results and positive outcomes.
Nominated by Mark Gergess, Beth is celebrated for building a critical Business Analytics function from the ground up. Her leadership has not only driven financial gains but also ignited a company-wide passion for data, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making.

A self-proclaimed “Shakespeare meets data geek with a side of marketing shenanigans,” Jen is widely recognized as a thought leader at CEFCU for her ability to capture business value through data and engage stakeholders with impact. As a seasoned marketer, she has embraced and embodied CEFCU’s iconic moniker, “Not a bank. Better.”
Jen has been nominated by Taylor Culver, who believes this is testament to her knack for aligning data-driven insights with the brand’s mission and vision.

Lucy is an accomplished Analytics Director with extensive experience leading international teams across experimentation, audience feedback, and strategic analytics. Known for her exceptional leadership, Lucy fosters a high-trust, collaborative culture that attracts and retains top talent, enabling her team to consistently deliver actionable insights and measurable business value.
Nominated by Kate Sargent, Lucy is praised for her ability to build engaged teams and drive impactful outcomes. Highly regarded within her organisation and the broader Data & Analytics community, Lucy exemplifies excellence in analytics leadership and strategic decision-making.

Sarah Bartlett is a results-driven professional with over 13 years of experience delivering data-informed solutions to complex business challenges. She is passionate about data visualisation, community building, and empowering users to achieve impactful outcomes.
A Tableau Visionary for five consecutive years, Sarah also serves as a Tableau Public Ambassador and is a member of the Tableau Community Equity Task Force, promoting diversity and inclusion. She co-leads the London Tableau User Group and has organised major conferences such as VizIt Berlin, a two-day event with 250 attendees and 40 speakers.

Sarah’s expertise extends beyond Tableau to include Power BI, Alteryx, Python, SQL, and more. She is the founder of #IronQuest, a community project with over 700 submissions to date, offering guidance on design, storytelling, and analysis. An advocate for learning, Sarah has trained over 400 users on Tableau tools and actively contributes to knowledge-sharing initiatives through tutorials, mentoring, and thought leadership.

Suzanne Howse is an accomplished data leader with a unique career journey. She began as a Customer Assistant at Marks & Spencer while studying Creative Writing and Film. Her passion for data emerged during a role in Food Operations, where she realised the critical role of data in decision-making and business operations.
Suzanne’s drive to build analytical and data science capabilities led her to spearhead initiatives such as M&S’s charity data-thon, hackathons, and data learning events. Her leadership extended across the organisation, fostering a thriving data community.

Currently, Suzanne heads the data function at M&S under Chief Digital and Data Officer Jeremy Pee, where she leads a talented team in driving data innovation across the company. Regularly contributing to industry events and mentoring, Suzanne actively supports initiatives like Women in Data, solidifying her reputation as a forward-thinking, impactful leader.

Di Mayze, who nominated Suzanne, praised her as an “incredible data leader” who has built a best-in-class data platform, receives consistently positive feedback from teams and stakeholders, and exemplifies excellence in her field.

Taryn Coop is a dynamic leader with a proven track record of driving transformational change in data visualisation and reporting. Starting as the Head of Data Visualisation at the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Taryn revolutionised the organisation’s approach to data presentation, establishing quality and consistency across reporting practices.
Recognised for her results-driven leadership, Taryn now serves as Acting Deputy Director of Enterprise Data and Reporting, where she has delivered critical progress during a challenging period for the organisation. Her leadership style is both demanding and empathetic, fostering high performance while maintaining approachability and support for her team.

Her colleague, Robert Hawker, commends Taryn as a visionary leader with the potential to rise to a Chief Data Officer role, praising her ability to balance business value with operational excellence. Taryn’s contributions have been instrumental in addressing CQC’s current challenges and advancing its data capabilities.

Sumeet has swiftly made her mark at Coventry Building Society, transforming the engineering and data science teams into a high-performing, delivery-focused unit. Recognised for her visionary leadership, she expertly balances addressing technical debt with embracing modern data innovations, driving both team excellence and organisational transformation.
Her strategic initiatives include modernising financial models for greater transparency and efficiency and advancing enterprise-wide data literacy programs. A champion of data as a strategic asset, Sumeet inspires progress, embodying the limitless possibilities of a data-driven future.

Maddie Amos is a strategic leader with over 20 years of experience across data strategy, analytics, governance, privacy, and business management. With a deep understanding of how data and business strategies intersect, she drives organizational change by strategically using data and new technology initiatives.
Maddie is known for her positive ‘can-do’ attitude and strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills. She is a member of the CDO Hub and an Alumni of the CDO Summer School 2020.

Marianela is a passionate advocate for the power of high-quality data and has over 17 years of experience in designing and implementing ERP/CRM systems and Business Intelligence solutions across complex environments.
She is committed to helping her company succeed by leading teams in building data solutions that drive value and support decision-making. Marianela works closely with executive teams to define business strategies and collaborates with delivery teams to ensure effective implementation.

She holds a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Information Technology and is a Microsoft Certified Professional. Her expertise includes data warehousing, ERP and CRM systems, business process analysis, and dashboard development using tools such as Power BI and QlikView.

Claire Flinter is an accomplished data leader with extensive experience in Data Analysis, Performance, Governance, and Continuous Improvement.
She has a strong track record of driving business outcomes, with a particular focus on customer experience and promoting a data-driven culture. Claire’s strategic mindset allows her to assess business outcomes, manipulate data, and forecast performance targets using advanced analytical tools and scenario modelling.

An excellent communicator and collaborator, Claire excels in complex environments, presenting complex data insights in an engaging way to deliver impactful results.

Sarah is a dynamic leader in data and analytics innovation, focused on advancing clinical research at GSK. With a passion for leveraging data to accelerate transformative therapies for patients, she combines technical expertise with a people-first leadership style to manage cross-functional teams effectively.
Sarah holds a PhD from the University of Texas and is pursuing an MBA at Cambridge Judge Business School to bridge the gap between innovation execution and business strategy. Her work is dedicated to delivering impactful solutions in healthcare.

Maddie Armitage is an accomplished leader in data, AI, and digital transformation with extensive experience in data strategy, product development, and marketing effectiveness.
She has a proven track record of driving innovation and business success, with a focus on building advanced data solutions and fostering a people-centric leadership style. Maddie’s expertise spans digital transformation, operational efficiency, and delivering data-driven outcomes that address the challenges of the modern economy.

An innovative and visionary leader, Maddie excels in creating impactful strategies and leading high-performing teams. Her collaborative approach and strong communication skills enable her to navigate complex environments

Rachel Purchase is an accomplished leader in data and analytics with nearly 15 years of experience at Admiral Group.
Rachel has played a pivotal role in developing machine learning models that have transformed Admiral’s pricing and risk management approaches. Previously serving as Head of Data and Analytics, she spearheaded a significant technological transformation, advancing the company’s data capabilities across multiple sectors.

In her current role as Director of Data and Analytics, Rachel is responsible for overseeing and implementing Admiral Group’s data strategy on a global scale.

Do you know a fanastic female leader in Data, Analytics and AI? Someone who is breaking the mould, achieving greatness and someone our Driven by Data community should know more about?

Then nominate them today, and let us know more about them!

Follow the link below, and fill in the short questionaire.

Karine is a seasoned executive specialising in data and strategy, with a focus on driving sustainability transformation.
In her early career, Karine helped iconic global media companies navigate digital disruption and lay new foundations for success. She was instrumental in establishing the digital subscriptions model at The New York Times, served as Senior Vice President of Data at The New York Times, became ITV’s first Chief Data Officer, and re-built the Data, Research, and Insights function at The Economist Group, where she began pivoting towards sustainability.

At The Economist Group, Karine championed the Sustainability initiative, focusing on measurement, cascading targets, and advocating for a carbon budget. Her expertise spans climate and nature impact, risks, and solutions.

Karine now applies her extensive experience in data, strategy, and transformation to accelerate sustainability efforts through shifts in mindsets and capabilities, with data at the core.

She holds a PhD in Economics from Harvard University, a master’s in Economics from PSL, and a bachelor’s in Geography and Philosophy from Paris-Sorbonne and Paris-Nanterre. She also studied at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) in Paris and taught at university level during her PhD.

Fiona James is a highly experienced leader in digital, data, technology, and policy, with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by public sector organisations in delivering complex initiatives.
Fiona has a proven track record in navigating leadership through complexity, both in projects and in managing people, within policy and service delivery contexts.

She began her career in the Civil Service in 2006 as a Fast Streamer at the Department for Transport, where she held various roles in policy, strategy, and operations, spanning aviation, roads, and maritime.

Fiona later played a pivotal role in the UK’s exit from the European Union, leading transport and digital, data, and technology readiness at the Cabinet Office. She then transitioned to the Crown Prosecution Service, where she helped drive digital transformation within the criminal justice system during the pandemic.

Fiona believes that harnessing public trust in data, combined with the expansion of new data sources, offers immense potential for society. Access to linked, timely, and accurate data can provide answers to previously unasked questions and generate insights into crucial areas such as employment, crime, health, and climate change.

She champions the importance of access to government data, highlighting the role of ADR UK’s infrastructure in enabling greater insight and fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the public.

Do you know a fanastic female leader in Data, Analytics and AI? Someone who is breaking the mould, achieving greatness and someone our Driven by Data community should know more about?

Then nominate them today, and let us know more about them!

Follow the link below, and fill in the short questionaire.

Monica Youn is a seasoned leader in data and analytics with a broad range of experience across multiple industries.
Monica began her career as a Systems Analyst at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in 2013. She then transitioned to Manulife Financial, where she held roles as a Product Specialist and Product Analyst. In 2015, Monica joined Accenture, where she became Head of Analytics and Analytics Strategy Consulting Manager.

Following her time at Accenture, Monica served as the Global Senior Director of Insights and analytics at CB4 and later became the Global Vice President of Analytics at OSOME.

Currently, Monica is the Chief Data and analytics Officer at Florence, where she leads the data and analytics strategy. In addition to her executive role, she is also an Instructor of Data and Analytics at BrainStation, sharing her expertise with the next generation of data professionals.

Monica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo.

Lynne Bailey is currently the Lead Data Strategist at Databricks. She is formerly the Chief Data Officer and People Partner for Technology at KPMG, a role she held for four years after joining from PwC, where she spent a significant part of her career.
Lynne is passionate about unlocking value from data and using it to empower organisations, a mission she has pursued since the beginning of her career.

She also serves on the advisory board of the independent charity BeTheBusiness, where she helps small businesses boost their productivity.

Kate Sargent is the Chief Data Officer at The Financial Times, with over 25 years of experience in leading consumer-facing organisations across retail, travel, and media. Since joining the FT in April 2023, Kate has been responsible for shaping and executing the organisation’s Data Strategy, creating value from their data assets, and overseeing Data Governance, Data Science & AI, Analytics, Research, and Business Intelligence.
Before her role at The Financial Times, Kate held key positions in several prominent organisations, where she developed a passion for driving commercial value through data. Her expertise lies in using data to understand and influence customer behaviour, helping businesses to achieve greater customer centricity and operational excellence.

Kate’s deep experience and strategic leadership make her a key figure in the media industry, where she continues to push the boundaries of what data can achieve in enhancing customer experience and business outcomes.

Cayleigh is a dynamic leader in data culture, dedicated to advancing data-driven decision-making and fostering diversity in the industry. As a key figure in bridging the gap between data and business, she is not only transforming how organisations adopt data-driven cultures but also championing women’s empowerment across the sector.
A central challenge in embedding data culture is resistance to change, and Cayleigh is boldly leading this transformation, guiding and supporting her colleagues through the journey. Her leadership extends beyond data practices to empowering women, notably as a lead in our partnership with bloss.m, where she oversees a mentorship programme for young women from BAME and underprivileged backgrounds.

Cayleigh is instrumental in establishing mentorship programmes for women across Wales, actively creating development pathways and networks that provide greater opportunities for success. Her work is reshaping the data landscape, increasing the visibility of female role models and paving the way for women to thrive in a dynamic and evolving industry.

Laura Aldridge is the Head of Enterprise Data and Reporting at the Care Quality Commission, bringing extensive experience in data and analytics across various industries. In her role, Laura is responsible for overseeing the organisation’s data strategy and ensuring data is used effectively to inform decision-making and drive insights.
Prior to joining the Care Quality Commission, Laura held several leadership roles, including Vice-chair of Statisticians for Society at the Royal Statistical Society and various positions at The Pensions Regulator, such as Principal Product Owner – Data and Analytics Platform and Senior Manager on Data Platform Transformation Programme. Laura’s career has also included work as a Data Scientist at Aimia Inc., where she analysed Nectar card data for Sainsbury’s to implement targeted marketing strategies.

Laura’s background in data platforms, business intelligence, and advanced analytics, combined with her technical expertise in SQL, SAS, and Tableau, has made her a key figure in leveraging data to drive business outcomes and operational efficiency.

Caroline Worboys is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience across early-stage start-ups, large corporates, global agencies, and not-for-profit organisations. Throughout her career, Caroline has worked extensively with data, technology, and analytics, leading key initiatives that combine strategy, logic, and creativity.
Caroline’s entrepreneurial journey began when she founded her own business, a decision driven by the challenges of being a working mum in the industry at the time. She successfully sold the business to News International, and later, after eight years, it was sold again, evolving into what is now known as Callcredit (now TransUnion).

Following the sale of Callcredit to private equity, Caroline joined Wunderman to lead data and insights across EMEA, eventually moving to New York to take on a global role. Upon her return to the UK, she collaborated with the founders of Dunnhumby at Starcount before co-founding Outra with Simon Hay, the former CEO of Dunnhumby.

Caroline has led several mergers and acquisitions and maintains her passion for data-driven innovation by investing in data-centric businesses, including successful ventures like Comply Advantage, Elvie, and Market Finance.

Susanna is a distinguished leader in data and analytics with over 20 years’ of experience in commercial and digital strategy, customer loyalty, and data-driven marketing, focusing on the consumer sector. As Chief Data Officer at Currys, she is driving a major transformation in data practices, enhancing data literacy and leveraging analytics to improve decision-making and customer experience.
Her career began at Dunnhumby, where she gained expertise in customer and transaction data for Tesco and Tesco Ireland. She then moved to Diageo to deepen her skills in category strategy and insights and further refined her strategic abilities at Deloitte Consulting.

At Aimia, she spent nearly a decade rising to CEO of the Nectar360 joint venture, leading significant projects including Sainsbury’s first mobile app launch and advancements in personalised offers. In 2019, Susanna joined Compare the Market as the first Chief Data Officer, where she elevated data capabilities and launched the Data4Good initiative.

Now at Currys, she is unifying data infrastructure and fostering a culture of data literacy across the organisation. Susanna, an Oxford graduate, is passionate about using data to drive meaningful business outcomes.

LCaroline Carruthers is a leading data expert and the co-founder of Carruthers and Jackson, a prominent data consultancy firm. With a passion for solving complex problems, Caroline has made significant contributions to the field of data strategy, particularly as one of the first women to hold the role of Chief Data Officer in the UK public sector at Network Rail.
Caroline’s career is marked by her ability to combine creative thinking with a deep love of technology, enabling her to develop pragmatic solutions for a range of challenging issues. Her experience spans various sectors, where she has been instrumental in guiding organizations to maximize the value of their data.

As an author, Caroline has penned several best-selling books that delve into the role of data within organizations, establishing her as a thought leader in the industry. In her consultancy work, she collaborates with public, private, and charity sector organizations, offering her expertise to help them leverage data for strategic advantage.

In recognition of her contributions, Caroline was named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the 2020 Computing Rising Star Awards. She continues to influence the data landscape through her consultancy work, writing, and speaking engagements, where she shares her insights on data strategy and innovation.

Caroline’s leadership in data strategy, her commitment to advancing the field, and her role in driving business transformation underscore her position as a prominent figure in the data industry.

McKinley Hyden is the Director of the Analytics Business Impact team at the Financial Times (FT), which she founded in 2021 to enhance the value and impact of the FT’s data capabilities. Based in London but originally from New York City, McKinley has led initiatives to make advanced data tools accessible to non-analysts, driving analytical fluency across the organisation.
Joining the FT in 2013 as a B2B data analyst, McKinley has held several key roles within Data & Analytics. Notably, she established the FT’s editorial analytical capability in 2015, a function that continues to be vital. Returning to the central Analytics team in 2018, she oversaw insights and analytics across the organisation before launching her current team.

With a background in storytelling and business strategy, McKinley also provides thought leadership to international media organisations through FT Strategies, the FT’s consulting arm. Her work focuses on leveraging data to drive business success, making her a prominent figure in the data industry.

Joanna is an expert in data visualisation with a strong track record of building and leading teams that deliver impactful visualisation projects and drive the adoption of visualisation tools to generate insights. At Jet2, Joanna has been instrumental in establishing and expanding the data visualisation team from just one member to a thriving group of 14, with further roles still to be filled. She has played a crucial role in shaping the approach to data visualisation at Jet2 and has set the blueprint for how data should interact with customers across the organisation.
Beyond her work at Jet2, Joanna is a guest lecturer on the MSc Information Management course at the University of Sheffield, where she teaches students not only the technical skills required to use Tableau but also how to engage effectively with customers, gather requirements, and build support through demos. In addition, Joanna is a mentor to university students from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them with their career aspirations and choices to set them up for future success.

Emma Wicks is a leading figure in data science and audience behaviour analytics, currently advancing the data capabilities at The Telegraph. Emma has played a pivotal role in transforming The Telegraph’s data landscape, introducing groundbreaking metrics to evaluate performance and fostering a strong data culture that influences both strategic and operational decisions. She is also dedicated to nurturing the next generation of data professionals through the recruitment of graduate-level insight analysts.
Based in London, Emma’s career spans senior roles across prestigious organisations including Merkle | Aquila, John Lewis Partnership, Marks and Spencer, and emnos. Her extensive experience in product management and data science is complemented by a BA in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge.

Emma’s impactful work continues to shape data-driven strategies and drive innovation in the industry.

Lara is a seasoned media executive with extensive experience in strategic roles, leveraging data to drive digital transformation across leading brands such as AOL, Disney, Telegraph, Auto Trader, and ITV. She excels in building and leading teams focused on data partnerships, product development, and analytics, significantly impacting advanced advertising strategies.
At ITV, Lara initially established and led the advertising data team, playing a pivotal role in developing data-driven products and solutions. From 2021, she spearheaded operations for ITV’s Group Data Strategy, laying the foundation for data products that enhance business value. Currently, Lara serves as Director of Insights and is a key member of ITV’s executive leadership team, where she leads a team of research and data experts.

Lara’s expertise includes stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and building high-performing teams. She specializes in data partnerships, data analytics, and digital transformation, with a focus on delivering insights that drive business innovation. Her proficiency in data strategy and advanced advertising makes her a leader in the media industry.

In addition to her role at ITV, Lara is a non-executive director on the board of Ebiquity plc, a global media measurement firm. She actively contributes to industry thought leadership and regularly speaks at digital media events. Recognized by The Media Leader, DataIQ, The Drum, and AdWeek, Lara also supports organizations such as MEFA, Women in Data, and Children of the Mekong.

Lara combines her strategic leadership with a deep understanding of data to drive change and foster innovation across the media landscape, underscoring her position as a prominent figure in digital media and data strategy.

Lyndsay Weir is an accomplished C-suite executive with a passion for leveraging data, AI, and analytics to drive business growth. With extensive experience leading international teams and a strong background in marketing, data science, business intelligence, and advanced analytics, she excels in creating strategic value.
Lyndsay combines technical expertise with business acumen, bridging the gap between data and business objectives. She fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, helping organisations thrive in today’s data-driven world. Experienced in change and culture transformation, she has made significant impacts at companies like Nestle.

As a thought leader and keynote speaker at international conferences, Lyndsay shares her insights and learns from peers and industry experts. Recognised as DataIQ 100 2023 – Number Six and one of the 20 Women in Data & Tech 2020, she also chairs the Barilla Acceleration Limited Board.

Lyndsay Weir is dedicated to driving business success through data, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and strategic growth.

Helen Mannion is a visionary data strategist with a proven track record in transforming businesses through effective data management. Specializing in developing data strategies and building high-performing teams, she converts raw data into actionable intelligence, enabling better business decisions.
Helen’s career is marked by three defining moments: overcoming early academic struggles, stepping out of her comfort zone to achieve growth, and focusing on leadership to enhance team success. These experiences have shaped her role in leading Specsavers’ global data transformation, driving significant financial impact and embedding a strong data culture.

Her proactive approach includes advising executive boards, writing, podcasting, speaking at events, and coaching individuals. Helen’s leadership has led her team to win Best Place to Work in Data and earned her the title of Best Data and Analytics Leader at the DataIQ Awards.

Helen Mannion is dedicated to leveraging data for business value, continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the field of data strategy.

Sally Bashuan is an Executive Director and Board Advisor with over 20 years of experience in global financial services. She leads technology, business, operations, and data teams, providing thought leadership in data governance and cultural development. Her global perspective is shaped by her work across Europe, Asia, Canada, and the US.
Sally excels in collaborating with C-suite executives to drive transformation, manage reputation-sensitive issues, and deliver impactful data strategies. She has recently focused on creating data strategies for investment and asset management businesses, implementing data governance, developing systems, and creating ESG data strategies and data ethics frameworks.

A sought-after conference speaker, writer, and podcaster, Sally is known for her insights on data and leadership in financial services. She builds high-performance teams, sets high strategic expectations, and champions diversity and inclusion.

Sally Bashuan combines human leadership with technical expertise, adeptly translating business and technology challenges into actionable strategies. Her comprehensive experience in governance, risk, operations, change management, and business transformation underscores her role as a leading professional in financial services.

Helen Blaikie is a dynamic business executive with extensive experience in data and analytics, commercial leadership, and finance across a wide range of public companies and SMEs. She excels at leading teams in finance, data, commercial, and business development environments, driving sustainable growth and profitability. Helen’s excellent communication skills enable her to build consensus, challenge the status quo, and foster positive change at all levels.
Helen is adept at quickly understanding businesses and adapting her skills across various sectors. She specializes in data strategy, data literacy, data governance, and building a strong data culture. Her expertise also encompasses business intelligence, data visualization, and developing high-performing teams.

Her specialties include stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, advanced negotiation, tenders and bids, pricing, and credit risk management. Helen is proficient in outsourcing data processing activities, strategic consulting, cashflow analysis, and working capital management. She has a proven track record in business partnering, profit and loss management, financial planning and analysis, financial reporting, financial control, budgeting, and forecasting.

Helen Blaikie combines her commercial leadership with technical proficiency, translating complex business challenges into actionable strategies. Her comprehensive experience in data and analytics, governance, finance, and strategic planning underscores her role as a leading professional across diverse industries.

Do you know a fanastic female leader in Data, Analytics and AI? Someone who is breaking the mould, achieving greatness and someone our Driven by Data community should know more about?

Then nominate them today, and let us know more about them!

Follow the link below, and fill in the short questionaire.

Kate Jones is an energetic and compassionate leader with a proven track record of delivering transformative change. Currently holding a prominent position, she excels in aligning stakeholder needs and building high-performance teams within complex organisations.
Kate’s experience includes centralising data and reporting through platforms such as Teradata, Google Cloud Platform, QlikView, and Tableau. She is also skilled in process automation using Alteryx, and master and reference data management with IBM MDM/RDM. Her technical proficiency ensures the effective implementation of data initiatives that deliver measurable value.

Recently, Kate completed a Level 7 Senior Leader Master’s Degree (MBA) at Henley Business School, earning a distinction in her end-point assessment with the Chartered Management Institute. Her dissertation focused on developing data-driven cultures within organisations, demonstrating her commitment to leveraging data for strategic advantage.

Throughout her career, Kate has been recognised for her empathetic leadership style and her ability to mentor and guide high-performing teams. With a unique blend of technical expertise and leadership acumen, she is dedicated to driving organisational success through innovative data solutions and effective team collaboration.

Indhira Mani is an experienced Data & Analytics Executive adept at transforming visionary ideas into compelling value stories that drive innovation. In her prominent role, she excels in collaborating with C-level executives, aligning stakeholder needs, and fostering key relationships to secure board-level buy-in and investment.
Indhira’s experience includes shaping Danske Bank’s data strategy into 25 signature initiatives for the Chief Data Officer (CDO) and bringing the ‘Data Fabric’ concept to life at Anglo American. She has also spearheaded strategic data transformation initiatives at Barclays, modernising the legacy estate and advocating for the concept of data as a product. Her technical proficiency ensures the effective implementation of data initiatives that deliver measurable value.

Indhira is passionate about embedding effective work methodologies and inspiring large global teams to achieve excellence. She is dedicated to delivering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) objectives and is highly regarded for her fair and socially intelligent leadership.

A graduate of the CDO Summer School, Indhira continues to drive data innovation and transformation across various sectors, ensuring organisations leverage data for strategic growth and success. With a unique blend of technical expertise and people-centric leadership, she is committed to placing data at the heart of organisations and unlocking its full potential.

Sanica Menezes is a distinguished Data Science and Analytics leader, featured in the prestigious DataIQ Top 100 NextGen list for 2023 and 2024. She is passionate about maximising the impact of data and embedding data science solutions to help businesses understand their customers and build better, more meaningful products and experiences.
Sanica is committed to mentoring and supporting women in data, fostering an inclusive environment within the industry. Currently, she is building a Centre of Excellence for customer analytics at an FTSE 100 FinServ company, where her expertise is instrumental in driving data-driven insights and strategies.

With a keen focus on leveraging data to enhance customer experiences and product development, Sanica Menezes continues to lead the way in the field of data science and analytics, making significant contributions to her organisation and the broader data community.

Cali Wood is a distinguished leader in Data Culture and Capability at AXA. Her career journey spans from technical insights and analytics to leadership, demonstrating her expertise in identifying strategic value opportunities and overseeing end-to-end value opportunity assessment. Cali excels in bridging data teams and the business to maximise data value, fostering collaboration across disciplines.
Cali is dedicated to upskilling data professionals and enhancing data literacy and confidence across AXA UK, with a focus on instilling a data-driven culture. She drives cultural change through various initiatives, such as AXA’s Women in Data features for International Women’s Day, the Data Download Series, and lunch and learns. Notably, she pioneered the Data Academy, Data Community, and Data Discovery Week, which saw a ten-fold increase in participation from its first to second year.

Passionate about supporting women in data, Cali mentors in Gender Network Programmes and participates in Women in Leadership programmes. Her commitment to mentoring and fostering an inclusive environment within the industry underscores her dedication to driving positive change and empowering the next generation of data professionals.

With her keen focus on leveraging data to enhance organisational capabilities, Cali Wood continues to lead the way in the field of data culture and capability, making significant contributions to AXA and the broader data community.

Shoba Sairam is a dedicated and dynamic IT Professional with extensive solution-delivery experience in the retail, eCommerce, and FMCG domains. Her career demonstrates a robust ability to bridge the gap between IT and business, fostering positive and trusted relationships through an unambiguous and honest approach to stakeholder management, and providing clear direction and support to IT teams.
Shoba excels in enabling analysis and insights to inform business strategy and value creation. She leads the centralisation of data strategy, governance, and technology tools, continuously evolving the analytics capability through ongoing improvements. Her specialities include Retail, Multi-channel/E-commerce, FMCG, Strategy formulation and planning, Programme/Project Management, and Customer/Supplier Relationship Management.

Committed to driving business value through data, Shoba is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance organisational capabilities. She is dedicated to continuous improvement and the effective management of both customer and supplier relationships, ensuring that IT solutions align seamlessly with business goals.

Shoba Sairam continues to be a key player in the IT field, making significant contributions to the retail, eCommerce, and FMCG sectors. Her ability to integrate IT with business strategy and her relentless pursuit of excellence highlight her as a leading professional in her domain.

Dee Samra’s professional journey is marked by a diverse range of expertise, spanning from strategic management in the data field within the Telecom Industry to exemplary leadership and problem-solving skills. Their dedication to driving strategy and excellence within a Data Driven Organisation is evident through their innovative contributions and proven track record of success.
In addition to their professional accomplishments, Dee actively contributes to discussions surrounding data ethics, advocating for data governance, security, and privacy compliance. Their commitment to nurturing talent and fostering growth within the industry is demonstrated through their involvement in technical recruitment, project management, and IT service delivery.

Dee’s comprehensive skill set and passion for driving positive change underscore their commitment to advancing ethical standards and fostering innovation within the data domain.

Kelly Hume’s professional journey is characterized by a wealth of experience, boasting 20 years of data development and consulting expertise within regulated networks and TMT industries. Kelly possesses a broad spectrum of skills, encompassing analytical, technical delivery, and managerial capabilities with a strong focus on business outcomes. Proficient in cloud and data architecture and engineering, Kelly is dedicated to extracting actionable insights from disparate datasets through the deployment of ML solutions.
Beyond their technical proficiency, Kelly is deeply passionate about fostering high-performing teams that are aligned with the objectives of delivering exceptional results for clients. Their leadership style emphasizes both nurturing talent and driving business success.

Ying Li’s professional trajectory epitomizes a rich tapestry of expertise, spanning 17 years of practice and leadership in digital signal and media processing, computer vision, pattern recognition, and machine learning techniques. With a portfolio of 55+ US patents and a robust publication record including six books and book chapters, along with approximately 65 papers in esteemed peer-reviewed IEEE and ACM conferences and journals, Ying is a recognised authority in her field.
In addition to her prolific contributions to research, Ying serves on the editorial boards of the “Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation” (JVCI) and the “International Journal of Multimedia Information Retrieval” (IJMIR), underscoring her commitment to advancing the frontiers of knowledge.

As an IEEE Senior Member, Ying specialises in leading research across a spectrum of advanced statistics, People Analytics, Machine learning, Computational creativity, and Computer Vision, harnessing her expertise to drive innovation and address complex challenges within these domains.

Alina Mihaila’s professional journey exemplifies a diverse tapestry of experience, encompassing over 12 years of expertise and leadership in the realm of data and technology. Specialising in data analytics, product scaling, and leadership development, Alina has left an indelible mark on the industry through her innovative strategies and unwavering dedication to excellence.
With a proven track record of driving business growth and solving complex problems, Alina leverages her deep understanding of data and analytics capabilities to unlock opportunities and propel organisations forward. Her passion lies in creating bespoke portfolios of data products, guiding them from inception to full-scale implementation with clear KPIs and tangible value propositions.

Alina’s leadership extends beyond the boardroom, as she actively mentors and coaches aspiring professionals and postgraduate students, empowering them to discover their potential and make meaningful contributions to their chosen fields. Her commitment to nurturing talent underscores her belief in the power of education and mentorship to drive positive change.

In addition to her hands-on leadership roles, Alina contributes to the advancement of knowledge in her field through her involvement in industry publications and conferences. Her thought leadership and innovative approaches have earned her recognition as a leading authority in the data and technology landscape.

Alina Mihaila’s dedication to driving innovation, fostering talent, and making a meaningful impact through data sets her apart as a visionary leader in today’s dynamic business environment.

Prachi Priya boasts a diverse professional background spanning Data, Tech, and Business. Currently holding a prominent position at a London-based firm, she serves as the Head of Transformation and Strategy within the Group Data Office. In this capacity, Prachi plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing a new vision for consolidated data and analytics.
Before her current role, Prachi accumulated over 20 years of experience in consulting and corporate roles, operating across a spectrum of industries including Automotive, Healthcare, Tech, CPG, Retail, and Finance. Her journey includes leadership positions where she successfully operationalised strategies, drove innovation, and commercialised growth.

Prior to her current tenure, Prachi amassed extensive experience in strategic roles within various divisions and functions. She has demonstrated proficiency in influencing and rallying stakeholders to embrace AI/ML and data-driven business transformation as a competitive advantage.

Throughout her career, Prachi has been recognised for her empathetic leadership style and her ability to mentor and steer globally distributed, cross-functional teams to execute business-critical tasks and deliver maximum financial outcomes.

Ciara Moore, a seasoned professional in financial services leadership, possesses over 20 years of experience with a proven track record of successful delivery in banking and advisory roles. She is renowned for her results-driven approach, resilience, and a strong focus on transforming the data, digital, operational, and cultural landscape within organisations.
At the executive level, Ciara demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities, driving change even in the most complex and challenging environments. Her leadership style is characterised by visibility, values-led decision-making, and an unwavering focus on execution.

Ciara Moore’s expertise lies in maximising business value through strategic initiatives and fostering sustainable growth. Her wealth of experience and commitment to excellence make her a valuable asset for any organisation aiming to navigate the dynamic landscape of financial services successfully.

Karen Ambrose is the dedicated CDO within the Scientific Computing team at the Crick, entrusted with the management and security of all databases. With a solid background in bioinformatics, Karen’s journey began at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, where she grappled with the management of extensive data, notably contributing to the groundbreaking Human Genome Project.
Over the course of her five-year tenure at the Crick, Karen has demonstrated her expertise by spearheading significant projects, including the smooth relocation of database systems from multiple institutes. This task required meticulous planning and execution to ensure minimal disruption to ongoing research activities.

Karen’s collaborative approach has been instrumental in fostering strong partnerships across various teams within the institute. Her commitment to data security and excellence in database management makes her a valued asset within the scientific community at the Crick.

Kat Holmes is a seasoned professional offering consultancy and training services in various domains, including Data Strategy and Governance, Data Mesh, organisational architectures, and operating models, alongside fostering data literacy and cultural transformations, with a particular focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within data teams. Additionally, Kat is an accomplished keynote speaker, sharing insights on these topics. With a career spanning over 16 years in programme, project, and change management, Kat’s career aims are multifaceted. She aims to elevate organisational data maturity by instigating changes in people, processes, and technology. Leveraging her extensive experience, she endeavours to lead large-scale transformations, empowering organisations to harness the potential of governed data effectively.Kat seeks to actively engage in dynamic, international workplaces that prioritise excellence while championing diversity and inclusion. As an Executive Data Leader and Keynote Speaker, Kat’s expertise spans Strategy, Innovation, Governance, Operating Models, and Diversity & Inclusion. Notably, she is the Founder of MenopauseX, a data-for-good startup.

Diane Berry’s career spans a spectrum of disciplines, from her foundational work in software engineering to her pioneering research in statistical science and her strategic leadership in consulting. With over two decades of diverse experience, Diane has honed her skills across roles, from crafting intricate client-server applications to orchestrating data-driven transformations at Bain & Company, where she navigated complex challenges for clients across industries.
Her visionary leadership and strategic foresight have been instrumental in driving tangible results and fostering innovation. Now, at Phoenix, Diane leads the charge in integrating entities and reimagining the Standard Life brand, leveraging her wealth of experience to navigate the intricacies of this pivotal phase. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and her passion for leveraging data to solve complex problems make her a driving force in shaping the future of the organisation. With a keen eye for emerging trends and a dedication to staying ahead of the curve, Diane ensures that Phoenix remains at the forefront of industry innovation, poised for sustained growth and success in an ever-evolving landscape.

Sarah Schlobohm’s career trajectory encompasses a breadth of expertise, from her innovative contributions to data science in the financial sector to her adeptness in team leadership and mentorship. With a background spanning physics and chartered accountancy, Sarah has established herself as a prominent figure in the field.
In addition to her professional achievements, Sarah actively engages in discussions surrounding AI ethics, delivering compelling talks on vital topics such as data integrity, bias mitigation, and privacy protection. Her dedication to nurturing the next generation of data scientists is evident through her development of training materials, mentorship initiatives, and participation in career events.

Sarah’s multifaceted approach underscores her commitment to advancing ethical standards and cultivating talent within the data science domain.

Stephanie DiChiara has a diverse professional background spanning Insurance, Management Consulting, Technology, and Strategy. Currently positioned at QBE (London), she serves as the Head of Transformation and Strategy within the Group Data Office. In this role, Stephanie plays a pivotal part in shaping and executing a new vision for consolidated data and analytics.
Prior to her tenure at QBE, Stephanie accumulated 13 years of experience at Beazley plc (London), where she initially served as a strategic programme director. During her time there, she successfully delivered critical projects across various divisions and functions. Later, Stephanie transitioned into the role of business manager and became a valued member of the leadership team for the global claims team.

Before her ventures in the insurance industry, Stephanie worked as a management consultant at McKinsey, focusing on technology and consumer packaged goods. She also gained experience as a developer and project manager in Silicon Valley, where she contributed her skills to both start-ups and PwC. Throughout her career, Stephanie has demonstrated proficiency in delivering complex organisational change across different functions and geographical regions. She is adept at developing strategic visions, refining operating models, and leading high-performing teams to success.

Lauren Walker’s career journey began in U.S. politics before transitioning into strategic marketing at an Equifax spin-off, ChoicePoint (now owned by LexisNexis). Following this, she spent two years at Yale School of Management, honing her skills. Her career then led her to roles in product marketing, sales, and consulting at IBM, culminating in her appointment as Chief Data & Digital Officer and later Chief Operating Officer at Dentsu International, a top global media agency.
With over two decades of experience in global executive roles, Lauren is recognised as a seasoned Digital Transformation Executive. She has received accolades such as being named a Top 100 UK Data Leader multiple times by DataIQ and recognised as a Global Top 100 Data Visionary by HotTopics. Lauren is an active keynote speaker, panellist, and podcaster at various prestigious events, including those hosted by IDC, Salesforce, and Gartner/Evanta CDO Exchange.

Rachel Pillsbury is an experienced, nationally recognised data, analytics, and machine learning leader. She excels in senior-level influence and hands-on implementation. With a diverse background spanning FMCG, retail, fintech, legal practice, logistics, media, HR, biotechnology, healthcare, and travel, Rachel brings a wide breadth of knowledge to every project.
As Roving Chief Data Officer at Phoenix Equity Partners, she has created successful data strategies for growth and acquisitions, resulting in multi-million-pound exits. Rachel has led best-in-class data teams, transforming organisations like Riviera Travel with personalised, machine learning-driven insights that generated millions in incremental revenue.

Caroline Zimmerman, a former literary agent turned data professional through an MBA journey, possess a fervent enthusiasm for intertwining data, narratives, and design to facilitate organisations in achieving profitable growth. Her daily endeavours involve crafting data strategies and product roadmaps, assembling diverse teams capable of executing and refining those visions, and diving into the thick of things when necessary, even delving into technical aspects herself, to ensure successful outcomes.
The teams Caroline constructs include not only data specialists but also product managers, scrum masters, user researchers, and subject matter experts. This holistic approach aims to craft data products that effectively tackle the right issues for end-users and the organisation at large.

Beyond the realm of data, Caroline advocates for a workplace culture that embraces people’s full humanity, believing it leads to greater organisational success, including financial prosperity. She encourages individuals to bring their authentic selves to work, recognising that suppressing certain aspects often leads to negative manifestations. By sharing her own humanity in the workplace, Caroline hopes to inspire others to do the same, fostering a more inclusive and productive environment.

Gabriela, an experienced expert in data and analytics strategy, governance, and policy development, has a profound passion for unlocking the full potential of data across enterprises. With a keen focus on maximising the business value of data, she champions the integration of advanced analytics while emphasising the importance of sustainable data governance practices.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Gabriela sees data as a force for positive change in all aspects of life. Her guiding motto, “Learn. Inspire. Teach. Protect. Remove obstacles. Be Human,” reflects her unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge, sharing insights, and safeguarding sensitive data.

Specialising in data-driven organisations, strategic enterprise data management, and advanced analytics, Gabriela is a valuable asset for any organisation seeking to harness the power of their data effectively.

Dr. Nadia Morozova, an accomplished Analytics & Insights expert, recognised for her award-winning contributions, is a distinguished thought leader and keynote speaker. With a wealth of international experience spanning fourteen years, she has consistently achieved exceptional business results in revenue, profits, market share, brand equity, and customer relationships across brand, consumer, shopper, and market insights.
As the Global Chief Analytics & Insights Officer – Brand, Marketing & Communications at EY in London, Dr. Nadia Morozova leads high-performing teams with a focus on placing consumers and customers at the core of business decisions. Her leadership is marked by a strong commitment to authentic and empathetic guidance, coupled with a fast learning curve and highly developed business acumen.

Dr. Morozova is renowned for her expertise in Digital and eCommerce, and she passionately builds bridges between academic and applied consumer research. Her career is characterised by a proven ability to build and transform business functions, set strategic directions, and articulate long-term visions.

Nirali Patel, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the digital, data, analytics, AI, and change management fields, currently holds the position of Group VP of Data & AI Strategy at Liberty Global. In this role, Nirali leads an internal consultancy dedicated to driving value accretive data strategy across the group and facilitating the integration of AI and ML across Liberty Global’s functions.
Throughout her career, Nirali has played a pivotal role in large business transformation programmes across diverse industries, including health, financial services, consultancy, and telecommunications. Her mission is centred on solving high-value problems that enhance customer experience, drive efficiencies, enable new revenues, and positively impact society. This commitment has led to delivering significant results, including generating hundreds of millions in revenues, cost savings, margin, and return on investment.

Passionate about transforming businesses, Nirali focuses on establishing the right foundations for data and AI, aiming to scale adoption across entire organisations and unlock value within them. Committed to the growth of individuals, she actively engages in mentoring, coaching, and other Employee Resource Group (ERG) schemes. Nirali is honoured to be frequently recognised as one of the DataIQ 100.

Sandra Stanley, a dedicated and resilient business leader, boasts a wealth of experience exceeding 20 years in leveraging data-driven insights, data science, and AI to spearhead transformations and deliver impactful business results with a customer-centric approach. With a strong background in global grocery retail, Sandra also possesses hands-on data science expertise across various sectors.

Known for her proven ability to pitch ideas to senior management, Sandra is admired for inspiring and developing teams while delivering data science solutions that yield tangible business benefits. She is respected within large teams for her multitasking prowess, seamlessly juggling team leadership, client deliveries, and strategic internal projects that benefit the broader data science community.

Elaine Priest’s career has been shaped by her curiosity and willingness to take on challenges where the journey isn’t easy or the path that clear. Her expertise has been sought numerous times across different areas within the banking industry, but there has always been a data lens to any role that she has undertaken. Collaboration, co-creation, and partnership are key to her success. Being open to new ideas and innovation creates an energising environment.
Passionate about driving strategy and transformation, Elaine finds a real sweet spot where business, technology, and data come together to create new ideas that drive positive customer experiences.

She thoroughly enjoys “paying it forward” through career coaching and mentoring, finding nothing more satisfying than seeing someone reach their potential.

Hannah Davies, the Head of Data Strategy and Founder of the successful Data Academy at Admiral Group, boasts over a decade of experience in the data realm. With credentials such as Chartered Mathematician (CMath) and Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), she has established herself as a prominent figure in the field. Hannah’s expertise lies in data fluency, fostering data culture, facilitating learning and skill development, as well as strategic management and leadership.
Her passions revolve around enhancing Data Fluency and Culture while championing the establishment of diverse, successful teams. Moreover, she is a staunch advocate for females in Data, Tech, and STEM subjects.

Hannah’s accomplishments speak volumes, with recognitions such as TechWomen 100 2023, Highly Commended STEM Educational Programme of the Year at the Wales STEM Awards 2023, and Finalist for Best Data Academy at the DataIQ Awards 2023.

Sheetal Patole is an outstanding C-suite executive with over two decades of experience, driving technology transformations that place customers at the core. Her global influence spans Australia, Asia, Europe, India, the UK, and the USA, leading large multidisciplinary teams in challenging environments. Her innovative thinking has earned her accolades, including the WanDisco Top 100 Data Activators 2022 and the 2008 CIO ‘Ones to Watch’ award, as well as being within Orbition Group’s Top 10 Driven by Data Innovators 2024. With her knack for thinking outside the box and a focus on people and culture, she paves the way for intelligent tech solutions, personalised propositions, and transformative change. She embodies the spirit of a visionary leader.

Robin, a true trailblazer and our Women to Watch award recipient, currently serves as the Field Chief Transformation Officer at Databricks, wielding over 25 years of expertise in orchestrating global organisations’ data-driven evolution. Her unparalleled leadership has guided countless entities toward digital transformation success, seamlessly integrating data and AI strategies. Robin’s passion for fostering value from data extends beyond her role, as she spearheads networks supporting women leaders in data and AI. A devoted mentor and community advocate, Robin, with dual law degrees and multiple certifications, epitomises resilience, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation of professionals.

Helen Louwrens, a distinguished data and analytics leader, is dedicated to driving opportunities and solving organisational challenges through her profound understanding of data. With a wealth of experience, she specialises in crafting and implementing data strategies that maximise the impact of data and analytics. Helen seamlessly blends technical analytic expertise with commercial acumen, resulting in the development of more relevant and impactful solutions.

A catalyst for change, Helen leads organisations in adopting an insight-driven culture, fostering a transformative environment. Her leadership extends to managing multi-disciplined and geographically dispersed teams, ensuring the delivery of impactful business outcomes. Helen’s commitment to embedding data-driven insights within organisations sets her apart as a leader in the field.

Steph Bell, a distinguished member of the DataIQ100 for consecutive years in 2021 and 2022, emerges as an influential leader in analytics. Boasting over 15 years of client and stakeholder-facing experience in retail, customer, and marketing analytics, Steph is passionate about fostering teams of inspired and motivated analytics professionals. Her focus lies in delivering value through the creation of actionable insights, strategically influencing key decisions that position data at the forefront of business strategy.
With a proven track record, Steph has successfully led transformative projects for both Sainsbury’s and Argos. Her leadership style is characterised by guiding teams to adeptly craft compelling narratives with data, ensuring that insights resonate and drive impactful outcomes.

A trailblazer in data strategy, Victoria is dedicated to enhancing healthcare by bridging the gaps between patient-centricity, digital health, and real-world evidence to revolutionise clinical research through innovation and digital transformation.
As the Global Head of Data Governance and Insights, Victoria assumes responsibility for shaping the data strategy and governance for Clinical Development and Operations. Before this, she served as the Head of Health Informatics and Analytics, where she defined strategic priorities based on input from Medical and Commercial stakeholders. Leading a team of data scientists, Victoria’s organisation executed use cases, generating evidence from external clinical data and real-world healthcare data to support drug development.

Victoria holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Biostatistics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and an M.A./B.A. in Mathematics from Boston University.

Currently mentoring at Endless Frontiers Lab at NYU Stern Business School, Victoria also serves as an Adjunct Scholar-Professional Lecturer at Columbia University, teaching Strategy and Analytics. Her innate curiosity fuels her enjoyment in connecting with like-minded individuals who advocate for leveraging data to generate insights, particularly in innovative applications advancing patient health.

Asheeka is a visionary leader who has built an award-winning analytics team and ignited her passion for cognitive diversity as a driving force behind innovation. She champions the transformative power of diversity, recognising that innovation thrives at the crossroads of different perspectives. As the analytics landscape continues to evolve, Asheeka remains at the forefront, always ready to embrace new challenges. If you’re searching for an exceptional leader to elevate your analytics efforts, Asheeka Hyde is the one to turn to. Her influence on the industry is nothing short of remarkable!

Alex’s remarkable story at Zurich began in 2005, rising from an MI analyst to the role of Chief Data Officer. Over the years, her leadership has been instrumental in Zurich’s data transformation, forging a stronger data culture. Alex’s passion for diversity extends to her role as a co-chair of the cultural awareness network, demonstrating her commitment to a more inclusive workplace. With a diverse team of 80 professionals, she paves the way for Zurich’s data-driven future.

Elise is an architect of complex global transformations, she excels in delivering innovative solutions in Retail and Brand Development, skillfully bridging business, data, and application domains. Her strategic acumen, coupled with technical and commercial expertise, aligns seamlessly with client visions. Leading diverse, global teams with an authentic and collaborative style, Elise inspires excellence. is celebrated as one of the “Twenty Women in Data & Tech 2023,” a Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS), winner of the BSC UK IT Team of the Year 2022, and recipient of the British Data Award 2022. Her achievements and commitment make her a true “Woman to Watch” in the world of data and technology.

Holly is a leader with a wealth of experience in data governance. Her passion for using data to propel innovation and drive business value is unmatched. She excels at fostering collaboration across teams, optimising data processes, and championing data quality. Notably, Holly constantly seeks innovative data applications, such as generative AI and cloud computing. Her commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion adds another layer of excellence to her credentials, fostering a truly inclusive, data-driven culture.

Tia is a visionary Data Analytics Strategy Leader with an impressive 18-year track record. From pioneering forensic analytics at Experian to spearheading data strategies for the National Health Service, Tia’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Leading with innovation, she’s navigated senior roles in healthcare consulting and global consulting firms, contributing significantly to national and international governments. Currently, as the Global Head of Data Strategy and Analytical Operations for an insurance giant, Tia has launched transformative projects, managed substantial budgets, and overseen large teams, cementing her status as a trailblazer in the world of data and analytics. A true force driving digital transformation!

Do you know a fanastic female leader in Data, Analytics and AI? Someone who is breaking the mould, achieving greatness and someone our Driven by Data community should know more about?

Then nominate them today, and let us know more about them!

Follow the link below, and fill in the short questionaire.

Katy Gooblar is passionate about making data a space for everyone — an inclusive environment where anyone with a love for problem-solving can thrive. She firmly believes that you don’t need to be a Python expert, a statistics whizz, or a maths magician (though it's brilliant if you are!) — there’s still a journey and a place for you in data.

At Data Literacy Academy, Katy focuses on building confidence and fostering positive mindsets for individuals navigating a digital world shaped by transformation, rapid tech adoption, evolving governance demands, and ongoing innovation.

Her role involves working closely with CDOs, CIOs, CFOs, COOs — in fact, all the “Cs” — to deliver large-scale literacy and change programmes that bring about genuine cultural adaptation. These are essential in the age of data and AI, and yet often the hardest to execute in-house when so many priorities are competing for attention.

With over a decade of experience leading data and information teams, Katy understands first-hand how difficult it can be to prioritise engagement and mindset-building across the wider business. It’s often the first thing to be sacrificed — yet it’s also the missing piece that can intensify the very challenges data teams are trying to overcome.

Ines Ashton stands as a pioneering force in the world of data analytics, and her remarkable journey as the Director of Advanced Analytics at Mars Petcare is a testament to her exceptional contributions to the field. Ines joined Mars Petcare over a decade ago as a data analyst. Her early contributions did not go unnoticed. In recognition of her visionary leadership, groundbreaking contributions, and role as a trailblazer for women in data analytics, Ines Ashton truly deserves the “Women to Watch” recognition. She not only leads the way for many but is a selfless individual who gives back to her community. Her impact on the industry and her ability to inspire the next generation of data professionals is the reason for the recognition today.

Di Mayze is a results-driven transformational technical and data storyteller. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, she has consistently demonstrated remarkable expertise and unwavering commitment to driving organisations toward data-driven excellence. She has an impressive top Business School MBA and more than two decades of invaluable experience across both client and consultancy realms and has consistently exhibited a relentless pursuit of excellence. Her visionary approach has reshaped the way organizations perceive and utilize data, setting new standards for industry leadership. We celebrate not just her professional achievements but also her enduring legacy of transformation, collaboration, and leadership.

Jessica has showcased extraordinary capabilities and her visionary contributions have been instrumental in shaping organizations, allowing them to comprehend and harness data in a way that delivers undeniable value to their business operations. She has achieved outstanding achievements and contributions in the realm of data. As a pioneer and trailblazer, she has shattered glass ceilings and paved the way for aspiring women in the field. Her knowledge and leadership make her an exemplary role model and a beacon of inspiration for women aiming to excel in the data sphere.