Driving Data-Driven Change - Robin Sutara - Making Better Decisions - Episode #45

What happens when technically inclined people work with non-technical individuals? Robin Sutara, Field Chief Data Strategy Officer at Databricks, says that is where the most valuable contributions come from. Robin shares her journey from repairing Apache helicopters in the U.S. Army to holding prominent roles at Microsoft, and her contributions to the field of data strategy and AI. She discusses the importance of using data in everyday decisions, the challenges of implementing data-driven transformations in organizations with legacy systems, and the crucial role of data engineering. Robin also emphasizes the need for greater diversity in data roles and highlights her involvement with Women Leaders in Data and AI, an initiative aiming to increase gender representation in the field. The conversation provides valuable insights on the evolving landscape of data and technology and the importance of bridging technical capabilities with domain expertise.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize Everyday Use of Data: Understand that data is already a part of daily decision-making processes. Encourage organizational members to see data usage as a natural extension of their current habits.
• Rethink People, Process, and Operations: Emphasize the role of people and processes in successful data transformation.
• Foster Domain Expertise Integration: Use diverse perspectives to enrich data solutions and spark innovation.
• Articulate the Value of Data Engineering: Communicate the ROI of data engineering efforts by referencing cost savings, productivity gains, and unique insights.
• Establish Clear Data Governance: Define and enforce policies for data quality, metadata management, and lifecycle management.

Quote of the Show:

• “ I really wish people would come to the realization that data is not this outlier thing. It's not a new or novel concept. It is something that you're already using today.” - Robin Sutara

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-sutara/ 
• Website: https://www.databricks.com/ 

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