Women in Data Podcast

What does it take to find your space and thrive in the data industry?  For the last episode of 2024, Lizzie Harris steps into the hosting seat to interview Karen Jean Francois in front of a live audience at Kingfisher. Over the past two years, Karen has made courageous career decisions—voluntarily taking redundancy, leaving a job that wasn’t right for her without having another lined up, and ultimately joining B&Q as a Data Product Manager in a role that stretches her beyond her comfort zone.  In this candid conversation, Karen shares insights on:  The emotional and practical side of making bold career moves—and lessons learned  How networking and relationships can supercharge your data career  Breaking down misconceptions about what it means to work in data  Tips for finding mentors and being an ally in the data space  The journey of starting and hosting a podcast for women in data  With audience Q&A and real-world advice, this episode is packed with inspiration for anyone navigating their path in the data world. Don’t miss it! 

As a recruitment leader, Roisin McCarthy noticed that her team was placing less and less women in data related roles year on year. She kept hearing stories of women being passed over for promotion. So she set on a mission to bring gender parity in the data industry. 10 years later, Women in Data has become a powerful force, advocating for women and creating spaces where they can excel. In this episode, Roisin raconts her inspiring journey, highlights key milestones, from representing the community at influential policy discussions to growing retention rates among senior female leaders. While there’s been progress, with women now holding 19% of top data roles, challenges remain, especially in reducing talent loss and bridging the gender pay gap. Roisin’s vision is clear: a future where gender parity is the norm, and where Women in Data continues to empower every woman in the field. 

In this episode, Cecilia is joined by Konstantina Kapetanidi and Anna O'Donohue to talk about how embracing neurodiversity can bring unique strengths and perspectives to the workforce, as well as to day-to-day life. They share personal experiences with neurodiversity, discuss the importance of diagnosis, and address workplace challenges such as misinformation and inclusion. Having recently ran a successful lunch and learn on the topic with Women in data recently, they continue the conversation and dive into questions they didn’t have time to answer during the event.  

In this episode, Jade Emmanuel, a Customer Science Analyst, reveals how she took ownership of her career by starting with curiosity and pursuing what excites her. You'll get actionable advice on how to take control of your own career, whether it's through engaging in curious conversations, shadowing others, or approaching senior leaders with confidence. Learn how to leverage informal learning experiences and develop a growth mindset to create opportunities and build strategic relationships that elevate your professional journey.