DataFramed #110 Behind the Scenes of Transamerica’s Data Transformation
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Oct 24, 2022 
Vanessa Gonzalez, Senior Director of Data and Analytics for ML & AI at Transamerica, leads the charge in their ambitious data transformation efforts. She shares how to overcome initial hurdles in securing executive buy-in and the complexities of integrating data analytics across departments. The conversation covers enhancing data accessibility during a cloud migration, the key skills necessary for successful data scientists, and the importance of a collaborative culture. Gonzalez also emphasizes creativity, resilience, and continuous learning as vital ingredients for thriving data teams.
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Communication is Key
- Data scientists need strong communication skills to translate technical concepts into everyday language.
- This helps business stakeholders understand complex models and data insights.
Successful Communication
- One data scientist effectively communicated model accuracy to business stakeholders without technical jargon.
- He used relatable terms, like "Of every 100 calls, the model correctly identifies the topic 20 times."
Business Impact
- Business impact is crucial for data science work.
- If business stakeholders don't understand your work, it won't be adopted or used effectively.