Stacked Data Podcast

Dmitry Zolotukhin, VP of Analytics at Flo, leads a 30-person analytics team, driving a data-centric culture in product development. He shares insights on running over 1,500 experiments a year without sacrificing quality. Dmitry discusses how Flo transitioned from small tests to a robust experimentation framework. He emphasizes the importance of team education, process standardization, and balancing speed with trusted results. Dmitry also touches on future innovations like AI-driven decisions and meta-analysis to further enhance experimentation.

On this episode of the Stacked Data Podcast, Harry Gollop sits down with Hugo Lu, co-founder of Orchestra, to tackle one of the most common debates in modern data teams: should you build your own tools or buy off-the-shelf solutions? Hugo shares his experiences on both sides of the decision, practical frameworks for evaluating cost, opportunity, and long-term value, and real-world examples of when building or buying was the right call. Whether you’re a Head of Data, an engineer, or just curious about tooling strategy, this episode provides actionable insights to help your team make smarter, strategic decisions.

This week, I’m joined by Timothy Chan, Head of Data at Statsig.Tim has a fascinating background — he started his career as a scientist developing life-saving drugs before pivoting into data. He went on to become a Staff Data Scientist at Meta and now leads the data function at Statsig, one of the world’s leading experimentation platforms, recently acquired by OpenAI.In this episode, we dive into the power of experimentation and how Meta embedded it into every aspect of product development.We unpack:⚙️ What great experimentation really looks like🏗️ How to build a world-class experimentation function💬 How data teams can use experimentation to influence business decisions⚖️ The balance between speed, rigour, and impact👥 Why stakeholder collaboration is the true differentiator of high-performing data teamsTim shares brilliant insights from his time at both Meta and Statsig — including how to think about experimentation as a cultural capability, not just a technical one.If you care about driving real business impact with data, this is a must-listen.

In this conversation, Adam Cassar, Director of Analytics at Wise, shares his expertise on transforming analytics teams into strategic partners rather than just service providers. He discusses common barriers teams face and offers practical strategies to overcome them. Adam emphasizes the importance of proactive influence in decision-making and building strong relationships with stakeholders. His real-life examples highlight how analytics can enhance operational efficiency and foster a data-driven culture, making this a must-listen for anyone in data roles.

𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 – 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠Analytics Engineering has become one of the most in-demand roles for modern data teams in recent years. The role goes far beyond just building clean data pipelines and data models, but how do we actually measure that impact?In today’s episode of the Stacked Data Podcast, we're joined by Ross Helenius, Director of Analytics Engineering & AI Transformation Engineering at Mimecast, to unpack one of the most important (and overlooked) questions in data:👉 What does success look like for Analytics Engineering: beyond the technical?𝚆̲𝚎̲ ̲𝚎̲𝚡̲𝚙̲𝚕̲𝚘̲𝚛̲𝚎̲:̲✅ The true role of Analytics Engineering in modern data teams✅ Why measuring ROI is so hard and how  you can do this✅ How to define and track impact beyond pipelines, models, and dashboards✅ Practical KPIs and strategies to showcase business value✅ Pitfalls to avoid when proving the value of your data functionRoss brings deep experience from the intersection of data, engineering, and AI, and offers actionable insights for data leaders and practitioners alike.Whether you're leading a data team, building one, or looking to become a better AE this episode is packed with value.

Digestible. Defensible. Actionable.What does it really take to drive impact with data?Too often, analysts are left wondering:“Why didn’t anyone do anything with that insight?”This week on the Stacked Data Podcast, I’m joined by Sam Marks, Director of Analytics & Business Strategy at the Boston Bruins, to explore the gap between finding insights and driving action — and how to close it.Sam shares the Digestible, Defensible, Actionable framework he uses to turn analysis into outcomes, covering:✅ What makes an insight digestible (and where analysts go wrong)✅ How to make your work defensible and credible✅ What separates an interesting insight from an actionable one✅ How to overcome inaction from stakeholders✅ Real-world examples of the framework in actionThis one’s packed with tactical advice for any data professional tired of their work getting stuck in slide decks.

Building High-Value Data Teams and the Future of BI with Oliver Hughes, CEO of CountIn this episode of the Stacked Data Podcast, we're joined by Oliver Hughes, CEO of Count — a business intelligence platform reinventing how teams collaborate through a flexible, canvas-style interface.Together, we explore: The key principles that make data teams truly impactful Why operational clarity, effective problem-solving, and reducing time to value are so critical How Count's unique approach is transforming data collaboration beyond traditional dashboards The future of BI and how data teams can stay ahead in a fast-evolving landscapeWhether you're leading a data team, building one, or looking for smarter ways to drive insights, this episode is packed with valuable lessons.Tune in and discover a smarter, more collaborative future for data!

In this episode of the Stacked Data Podcast, we're joined by Zach from Advancing Analytics to dive deep into the world of modern data platforms.Zach walks us through his career in data and his current role at one of the UK's leading data consultancies. We explore what a modern data platform really is, why companies are investing in them, and what it takes to build one that’s scalable, reliable, and genuinely useful to the business.From core stages and common pitfalls to ensuring business alignment and future-proofing, Zach shares the lessons he's learned delivering platforms for a wide range of clients. We also zoom out to talk about what it’s like working in data consulting—what skills matter, what a typical day looks like, and what makes someone successful at Advancing Analytics.If you're interested in data architecture, consulting, or just want to understand what "modern" really means when it comes to data platforms—this one’s for you.

In this episode of Stacked Data Podcast, I’m joined by Manou, Head of Data & X at Medik8, to dive into the unique challenges of leading a small data team—and more importantly, how to overcome them.✅ How do you prioritize when resources are tight?✅ How can small data teams drive real business impact?✅ What strategies help in building a strong team culture?Manou shares practical strategies on ensuring data teams stay focused on high-value projects, align with business goals, and maximize their potential—even with limited resources.If you’re leading (or part of) a small data team, this one’s for you.

🚀 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 & 𝐀𝐈 🎙️ Data teams are investing more than ever in AI and analytics, yet many still struggle to make their data truly accessible, consistent, and reliable. One major reason? The semantic layer. Without a curated Semantic Layer, self-serve AI is a pipedream! In the latest episode of the Stacked Data Podcast, I sit down with Sarah Levy, CEO of Euno, to unpack why the semantic layer is often overlooked—and why it’s so crucial for businesses looking to scale AI and analytics effectively. 𝕎𝕖 𝕕𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠: 🔹Why so many companies struggle with data consistency and accessibility 🔹What a semantic layer actually is and why it’s a game-changer 🔹How it bridges the gap between raw data and real business impact 🔹The challenges of adoption & why many data teams still don’t have one 🔹How Euno is tackling this problem head-on If you’re working in data and your organisation is pushing for AI, this is a must-listen.