Women in Data Podcast

Welcome to the Women in Data Podcast, where every other week your host, Karen Jean-Francois interviews some of the most inspiring women working in data. Through each episode, they share their invaluable experience and knowledge. Leaving no stone unturned, the WiD Podcast series will provide you with information on the use of data in various industries, plus helpful tips for career development. More importantly, it will enable you to become the data professional you want to be.

Women in Data Podcast is a technology podcast hosted by womenindata, with 100 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

womenindata hosts Women in Data Podcast, a technology show with 100 episodes published.

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  Episode #167

  Summer Special - What We've Learned So Far This Year

  Aug 3, 202615 min

  Halfway through the year feels like the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and ask: What have we learned? Before taking their summer break, Karen and Cecilia look back at the conversations that have stayed with them most and the ideas that challenged their thinking throughout the first half of the year. Together, they discuss: Conversations that surprised them Topics that guests kept bringing up Learnings that stayed with them They also give you a sneak peek at what's coming in September, including conversations on reconnecting with yourself at work and redefining career ambition. Tune in for a quick catch-up and hear Cecilia’s and Karen’s take on the first half of the year on the podcast

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  Episode #166

  Ep.164 - You Don't Have to Follow the Plan

  Jul 20, 202624 min

  What if changing direction didn't mean starting over? So many of us believe our careers should follow a logical path. But what happens when the version of success you've worked so hard to build no longer feels aligned with who you are? In this episode, Karen is joined by Christina Finlay, Global Head of Data and AI for Industrial Operations at Volvo Cars, whose career has taken her across continents, industries, and even into restaurant ownership before entering the world of data. Together, they explore what it really means to reinvent your career without losing yourself. Christina shares how staying true to her values helped her navigate major career changes, why transferable skills matter far more than we often realise how every experience, even the ones that seem unrelated, can shape the leader you become. They also discuss the emotional side of change: rebuilding confidence after setbacks, making difficult personal decisions, and learning that success isn't about following a straight line but creating a life that feels meaningful to you. If you've ever questioned your next career move, wondered whether it's too late to change direction, or felt like you'd be starting from scratch, this conversation will remind you that every chapter of your career has prepared you for what's next. Find out more about the Women in Data Nordic Chapter at womenindata.ai

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  Episode #165

  Ep. 163 - The AI-Powered Return: Using Tech Tools to Wake Up the Post-Maternity Brain

  Jul 7, 202625 min

  This episode features an incredibly candid and tech-forward conversation with Rachel Kirkham, CTO of Mindbridge. Rachel shares her raw experience of returning to work after a six-month career break following a difficult birth, navigating the intense reality of "baby brain fog" and sleep deprivation while stepping right into an executive leadership role. Rather than viewing her time away as a permanent gap, Rachel treated her return as a "cognitive cold start" and leaned heavily into modern generative AI tools to rapidly close her knowledge gaps, manage her executive workflow, and get back to the cutting edge of tech.

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  Episode #164

  Ep.162 - How to Navigate Office Politics Without Losing Yourself

  Jun 22, 202631 min

  In this episode of the Women in Data Podcast, Karen is joined by Marion Shaw to unpack one of the most uncomfortable — and least talked about — parts of career growth: office politics. From aggressive stakeholders in meetings to hidden agendas and shifting power dynamics, Marion shares the lessons she learned navigating leadership at senior levels — including the mistakes she still makes today. Together, Karen and Marion explore what political capital actually is, how influence gets built inside organisations, and why understanding what the business is truly “betting on” can completely change your career trajectory. They also dive into one of the most difficult leadership moments many managers face: protecting your team publicly while also protecting yourself professionally. This episode explores: How to navigate conflict and difficult stakeholder situations When to speak up vs when to de-escalate Why shutting down meetings is sometimes the best leadership move How to separate noise from what really matters The hidden dynamics influencing workplace behaviour Why leadership means accepting that you’ll still get things wrong sometimes If you’ve ever left a meeting replaying everything you should have said, this conversation will make you feel far less alone. Find Marion on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-shaw-9068b08/ Register to the Women in Data Community for free: https://womenindata.co.uk/

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  Episode #163

  Ep. 161 - You don’t need to be ready: Redefining Success in Data Leadership

  Jun 8, 202623 min

  What does it really take to grow into leadership in data — especially if you didn’t come from a traditional technical background? In this episode, Cecilia speaks with Lauren Dixon, Chief Data Officer at the Financial Conduct Authority, about building confidence, stepping into opportunities before feeling fully ready, and redefining what success in data leadership actually looks like. From studying history to leading large technology and data teams, Lauren shares how curiosity, communication, collaboration, and self-awareness have shaped her career far more than having the “perfect” background. Together, they explore imposter syndrome, leadership growth, mentorship, hiring beyond degrees, and the practical skills that truly help people stand out in data today. This is an honest and reassuring conversation for anyone who has ever questioned whether they are technical, experienced, or qualified enough to take the next step in their career.

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