Women in Data Podcast

Ep.149 - Do We Really Need Another Meeting?

Karen and Cecilia tackle a pain point every data professional knows: trying to stay aligned without packing your calendar with even more meetings. From hybrid work and endless notifications to navigating Slack vs. Teams, they explore why the answer isn’t more communication — it’s better communication.

They share real stories, practical strategies, and the tools that actually help: async updates, stand-ups, dashboards, wrap-up messages, and ways to protect your deep-work time. They also reveal the tactics they’re trying next and invite you to share your own.

If you’ve ever left “a meeting to join a meeting about meetings,” this episode is for you.

Ep. 148 - Startup Speed vs. Corporate Scale: Navigating AI Transformation

Are we getting AI transformation all wrong?

Organisations are racing to adopt AI, but the gap between ambition and execution is wider than ever. In this Women in Data episode, host Cecilia Oliveira speaks with technology leader Saloni Thanki about turning strategy into tangible business outcomes.

Saloni, who advises both nimble startups and global corporates, cuts through the hype to explore the dual realities of AI adoption:

• The fast-paced, "defensible moat" challenge for startups.

• The budget and regulation hurdles for large enterprises.

But the real question isn't about tech; it's about people. Saloni argues that the cultural transformation plan must be an equal priority with the technology plan—or your AI initiative could be set up to fail.

Learn Saloni's practical leadership strategies, including how to define accountability, why to streamline processes before automating, and why AI transformation can create a fear of loss for employees rather than fear of change.

Ep.147 - Building trust in data & AI: how data observability powers agents

In this episode, Karen is joined by Barr Moses, CEO and Co-founder of Monte Carlo, to explore how AI agents are transforming how data teams work — and why trust must sit at the heart of every data and AI initiative.

 

Barr shares how troubleshooting agents save days of work mimic human reasoning to identify and fix data incidents, how teams can “operationalize trust” in their data and/or AI systems, and what it really takes to bridge the gap between hype and reliable business value.

 

Together, they unpack the pressure data teams face to deliver AI quickly, the realities of observability, and why technology alone isn’t enough .

 

Whether you’re building AI systems, leading a data function, or simply trying to make sense of the fast-changing landscape, this episode will help you understand what it takes to build data and AI you can trust.

Ep. 146 - The Data Behind better Care

In this episode of the Women in Data Podcast, Cecilia chats with Beth Bauer, a healthcare data leader with nearly four decades of experience bringing data, people, and purpose together.

Beth introduces the idea of positive friction — those intentional pauses that invite reflection, discussion, and sometimes disagreement — as a way to make better decisions in healthcare. She explains how this approach helps achieve the Healthcare Quintuple Aim, balancing patient outcomes, provider wellbeing, community health, financial sustainability, and truly personalised care.

It’s a thoughtful and uplifting conversation about listening, empathy, and how creating space for diverse voices can lead to more meaningful impact — in healthcare and beyond.

Ep.145 - Thriving on the technical path in data

Progress in data careers doesn’t have to mean management!

In this episode, Karen speaks with Niruta Talwekar, Staff Data Engineer,  about carving out a fulfilling career on the technical track — and why progress doesn’t always look like a new job title.

 

Niruta shares her perspective on:

• Why a technical career path could be a better option for many data professionals
• Why slow title changes don’t mean stagnation — true progress comes from building expertise and impact
• The importance of having more visible technical leaders
• How visibility and recognition strengthen credibility as a technical leader
• The underrated role of patience in career growth — trusting that skills compound over time

 

The best piece of career advice she ever received: it’s not only about how you see yourself, but how you help others see you.

 

Whether you’re an aspiring data professional, or an experienced IC wondering what your career could look like, this episode is packed with insights to help you define success on your own terms.

 

Ep.144 - 5 Strategies to Get Promoted in Data Careers

Getting promoted isn’t just about doing great work—it’s about knowing how to show it, when to ask, and what “next level” really means. In this candid conversation, co-hosts Karen Jean-Francois and Cecilia Oliveira break down five essential strategies to help you move your career forward.

 

Karen shares a personal story about giving a colleague advice that landed him a promotion while she stayed behind, a wake-up call that doing excellent technical work isn’t enough. Together, she and Cecilia unpack why visibility, business acumen, and impact matter just as much as output.

 

You’ll learn why defining the “next step” in your career is critical, why becoming a manager isn’t the only way to progress, and how finding advocates (not just mentors) will support your progression. Cecilia adds a practical reminder: keep your receipts—document your achievements so you’re ready when promotion conversations come up.

 

Whether you’re just starting your career in data or aiming for that next big leap, this episode will help you reframe how you think about promotions and give you actionable steps to start moving up with confidence.

Tune in, and start owning your next career move.

Ep.143 – Fixing Women’s Health Data Blind Spots

In this episode, Cecilia welcomes Katherine Church to discuss the systemic gender data gap in healthcare and its impact on women’s health.

Katherine explains how women have long been underrepresented in research and clinical trials, leading to misdiagnosis, overlooked conditions, and unsafe treatments. She shares innovative partnerships, such as Boots and Tesco using loyalty card data to detect ovarian cancer earlier, and stresses the importance of recording women’s symptoms. With insights on ethics, wearables, and projects like Our Future Health and Women in Data’s Women’s Health chapter, Katherine shows how data can drive meaningful progress in women’s health.

 

And If you can, take part in Our Future Health - https://ourfuturehealth.org.uk/ - and explore Women In Data's Women's Health chapter - https://womenindata.co.uk/womens-health/ - volunteers are always welcome!

Ep.142 – The future of careers in data

In this episode, Karen speaks with Cali Wood, Head of Data & AI Strategy & Culture at AXA UK, about what it really means to future-proof your career in a world where GenAI is reshaping the skills landscape.

From the rise of AI agents and natural language as a “coding language” to the growing importance of human skills like communication, ethics, and business understanding, Cali shares her experience based view on how AI is changing our field. She delves into:

• Practical AI use cases at AXA and their impact on data democratisation, and on the data team
• How the skills landscape is shifting and provides practical advice for early- to mid-career data professionals — and the leaders guiding them.
• How to stay relevant, collaborate with AI instead of competing against it, and use new tools to work smarter, not just faster. 

Cali also reveals why curiosity, boldness, and a willingness to challenge the status quo will be the superpowers of tomorrow’s data workforce.

If you’ve ever wondered where our industry was heading, or what your role might look like in the future — and how to make sure you’re ready — this conversation is for you.

Ep. 141 - Beyond Fairness Building Strong Communities & Using Data for Change

In this episode of the Women in Data podcast, Cecilia is joined by Jo Portlock, VP of People, Culture and Belonging at LexisNexis, for a powerful conversation about what fairness truly means in today’s workplace — and why it’s so much more than a buzzword.

They explore how fairness is about visibility and access, not advantage, and why organisations must intentionally build cultures that support everyone, especially in times of uncertainty. Jo shares how mentorship and sponsorship are essential tools for progress, and why strong communities like Women in Data are more important now than ever.

You’ll also hear why data is a crucial force for accountability, how to use it to spot gaps and drive change, and what the future of work might look like in a world increasingly shaped by AI.

Packed with personal insights, practical tips, and thoughtful reflections, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate a shifting professional landscape with purpose, resilience, and a supportive network by their side.

Ep.140 - Guide to returning to your career in data after maternity leave

In this candid and empowering episode, Karen sits down with Maaike Van Der Branden, Chief Data Officer,  to explore the real, unfiltered experience of returning to work after maternity leave. From battling imposter syndrome and skill gaps to rebuilding confidence and reshaping leadership, Maaike shares insights that every working mum, colleague, and employer should hear.

Together, they discuss what it’s really like to return to your job as a new mum: the double guilt, the pressure to catch up, the fear of falling behind, and how crucial it is to be given time, space, and support. Maaike opens up about how motherhood has changed her—not just personally, but professionally—and how it’s made her a more empathetic and inclusive leader.

They also tackle the values that drive career choices post-parenthood, from rejecting toxic industries to focusing on meaningful impact.

Plus, don't miss the rapid-fire round on favourite books, tools, and leadership advice.

🎙️ Whether you're a mum in tech, a team leader, or someone navigating the messy middle of career and family—this episode will speak to you.