WiBD Global Connect - July 2024

What's new this Month

·?????? Launch of WiBD Online Chapter

·?????? Mentoring program updates

·?????? Training program updates

·?????? Hackathon program updates

·?????? Podcast program updates

·?????? Other updates and Events

Launch of WiBD Online Chapter

We're excited to?announce?the launch of our new WiBD Online Chapter! Leading the charge are our exceptional co-directors: Sangeetha Parsan (Membership), Jody Porrarzo PHD (Programs), and Mary Wallace (Communication). Their combined expertise will be invaluable to our growing community.? Welcome to our leadership team.

The chapter empowers our entire community with online workshops focused on data storytelling, presentations, and essential soft skills.

·??????? Podium Powerhouses:?Analyze a Kaggle dataset for different use cases, build a Power BI report, derive insights, and discuss possibilities with additional data. Prepare and present findings.

·??????? Data Driven Blogs:?Partner up, choose a data-related topic, research, outline, and publish a blog on LinkedIn.

·??????? Expert Presenters:?Partner up, choose a data-related topic, research, outline, and present to the group. Receive feedback on content and clarity.

·??????? Open Office Hours:?Bi-weekly sessions for questions, discussions, and guidance.

Mentoring Program Call to Action and Updates

Deborah Sgro, Program Director

Are you passionate about helping others explore what is needed to start or pivot? into a technology-related career? I am looking for a facilitator partner to co-lead our?Emerging Technologists Peer Mentoring Group. The program includes an orientation and six bi-weekly sessions from mid-September to early December. The Ideal partner will have previous experience running small groups and possess strong facilitation and active listening skills.

If you’re interested, please Deborah Sgro ([email protected]) by August 9, 2024. Kindly do not apply to the program using the links in the above description.

Mentoring Update: As we embark on Session 2 of the 2024 mentoring year, we are excited to see the positive impact mentoring continues to have on our community. Mentoring Matters which launched in early June and runs until August 23, has engaged 99 participants in meaningful relationships that foster personal and professional growth.

Following our first feedback survey, we’re pleased to share that 24% of the respondents rated the program with an impressive average of 4.64 out of 5 stars.? Mentors and Mentees rave about the program's positive impact. They found strong connections, personalized guidance, and a well-organized platform. Both sides value the supportive atmosphere and look forward to achieving goals together. ?This blog features insightful quotes from mentors and mentees who share their experiences in the program.

As you see, these engagements not only empower mentees to advance their careers but also enrich mentors' experiences, creating a vibrant opportunity of shared knowledge and growth.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce that Session 3 of the 2024 mentoring year will run from September to December. The application process opens on August 1, and we encourage everyone interested to participate. More details will be posted on our website soon, so stay tuned!

Thank you to all participants for making this program a success. We look forward to the continued growth and positive outcomes that this mentoring journey will bring to our community.

Training Program updates

Srabasti Banerjee, Program Director

?We are happy to announce our top DataCamp Donate learners for the month here.

Also Modupe J. Owolabi (our DataCamp learner) testimonial:? “DataCamp’s RADAR AI Edition was a phenomenal event in many ways. The speakers, the forums, the discussions, the “table meets” - all very enlightening. The number of people joining in from so many countries was remarkable. The speakers were very engaging. They showed and explained how AI is being used across industries, how AI can be used, what opportunities there are for upskilling, and how important that is. There was even a session: “From Learning to Earning”! “ The full post here.

Hackathon Program updates

Rupa Gangatirkar, Program Director

The WiBD Spring Hackathon 2024, a collaboration between Women in Data Science (WIDS) and Gilead Sciences, offered data scientists a thrilling opportunity to tackle social impact challenges in healthcare. Using a comprehensive oncology dataset alongside socio-economic and climate data, participants aimed to predict time to diagnosis for metastatic cancer patients, uncovering how climate patterns can influence healthcare access. This event perfectly aligned with the data science enthusiast's mission of leveraging skills for social good. Read the full journey by Yoga Ramachandran,? Aruna Nadesan, Jayanth Krishnamurthy.

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WiBD-Zbyte Fall 2023 hackathon marked a significant milestone for the India chapter. It was the first time the Indian chapter participated in this exciting event alongside chapters from Northwest (Portland, USA) and Costa Rica. Diksha Sharma, a talented student from India, was selected for a well-deserved internship following a rigorous interview process by the Zbyte team.

Podcast Program updates

Desiree Timmermans, Program Director

A huge thank you to all the amazing Women in Big Data Podcast guests and listeners for helping us achieve an incredible milestone of 2,500 downloads and counting!? Join us and explore episodes on careers, Big Data, and analytics: Podcast Link.

Our mission is to connect, engage, and grow the Women in Big Data community by unlocking the career insights, Big Data expertise, and analytics know-how of industry experts and thought leaders. Discover how you can leverage Big Data and analytics to create a better future for everyone—organizations, societies, and individuals: Learn More.

Our Women in Big Data Podcast, Episode 17, with Joanna Bloor (The Amplify Lab) covers “How to Tap into Your Potential”.

"Every decision made about you and your opportunities is made in a room that you're not in. And that room could be somebody else's head. It could be an actual room. It could be all sorts of things. What I tell people after they go: oh my God, yes. I say: look, the conversation they're having about you in the room that you are not in is not your title, what grade you got at university, or anything like that. It's actually this thing I call The Tale of Potential which is the future story of you. It's who they believe you will be in the future." - Joanna Bloor

Other Updates

WiBD SoCal Shines a Spotlight on Viviana Alba! We're thrilled to recognize Viviana Alba, an exceptional volunteer who goes above and beyond for the WiBD SoCal chapter! Viviana consistently demonstrates her dedication by actively participating in our events and creating engaging social media content. Viviana's talent for crafting engaging content has significantly boosted our online presence and member engagement. She plays a key role in fostering a strong, connected community within WiBD SoCal. Her efforts are instrumental in the success of our events. Viviana's hard work and commitment are truly invaluable, and we are incredibly grateful to have her on the team!

Insightful Article by Sowmya Moni, WiBD India lead!? Assessing the maturity of your marketing team in the AI world involves evaluating various dimensions, such as understanding and applying AI technologies, data management capabilities, technology stack, strategic alignment, and overall impact on marketing goals. Sowmya covers these details in her article Assessing your Marketing Team’s AI Maturity. ?

Events around the globe:

Our Bay Area chapter partnered with the Women in Technology ERG at Five9 for a fantastic in-person event on June 26 called "Leadership Journeys" in San Ramon. We're thrilled to share a write-up of the event and panel discussion topics on our website, penned by participant Gayatri Natrajan . Special thanks to Srabasti Banerjee! Srabasti's dedication was instrumental in building the bridge between Five9 and WiBD, making this event a huge success. Her efforts brought together a fantastic group of panelists who shared their valuable experiences and wisdom, leaving everyone feeling inspired and ready to tackle new challenges. This event truly exemplified the supportive spirit of our WiBD community. We're grateful to all the panelists and attendees who came together to learn, grow, and connect.

Women in Big Data Berlin hosted a successful event on June 26 exploring AI ethics through the lens of inclusion, regulation, and climate change. Speakers include: Katarzyna (Kasia) Stoltmann, Sofia Trojanowska ????????????, Andrea Hendrickx, Joachim Bühler, Martin Schreiber and moderator for the panel discussion segment is Yulia Tokareva.

·??????? Diversity combats bias: Experts emphasized the importance of diverse AI development teams to create unbiased AI.

·??????? AI's climate impact: AI usage can be high-energy, but also has the potential to drive green solutions.

·??????? Human oversight remains crucial: Real-world examples highlighted the need for human oversight alongside AI.

·??????? Building trust in AI: Discussions covered challenges of AI auditing and the EU's AI Act.

·??????? Key takeaways: Regulation lags behind advancements, AI can be fallible, security testing is crucial.

The event fostered valuable discussions and attendees gained insights on navigating the evolving landscape of AI ethics.? Full blog here.

July Social Mixer with Women in Big Data SoCal? - We had a fantastic turnout for our Social Mixer, with attendees from various backgrounds in data science, tech, and related fields.?The participants were highly engaged throughout the evening, with lively discussions and networking.?Given the positive response, we are excited to continue hosting these social mixers every third Thursday of the month.

We are thrilled to announce that our inaugural Women in Big Data Paris Virtual Speed Mentoring event, held on July 2nd, 2024, was a resounding success! Audrey Ghozael’s keynote coaching speech was a highlight, emphasizing the power of networking, mentoring, and self-belief. Her guidance on the VUCA leadership framework set an inspiring tone. With 25 brilliant mentors and mentees participating, the event received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Given its profound impact, we are excited to make this an annual event! Thank you to Audrey Ghozael and outstanding mentors - Tina Rosario, Deborah Sgro, Marina Alekseeva, Anna MARCHON, HUYNH Thi Minh Thao and all our mentees.

WiBD partnered and represented at VentureBeat's Transformation 2024, July 9-11! Anu Jekal, a core member of our Bay Area chapter, attended the conference and shared a fantastic recap of her experience and key takeaways on LinkedIn. Anu highlights the importance of balancing AI governance with practical implementation. POCs using obfuscated data in healthcare demonstrated the value of rapid iteration and feedback loops, allowing responsible GenAI rollouts. Effective evaluation methods and continuous learning through networking are crucial for navigating the fast-paced world of GenAI. Anu's post provides valuable insights for anyone interested in the latest industry trends and advancements in this space.

A recent "Executive Chat & Learn" event on July 18, co-hosted by Women in Big Data Northwest and other industry leaders, explored how to thrive in the evolving world of AI careers. Esteemed guests Surekha Reddy and Ania Korsunska shared their entrepreneurial journeys, highlighting the importance of an "entrepreneurial mindset" that embraces innovation, calculated risks, and continuous learning. The discussion focused on developing a diverse "career portfolio" with skills like data science and communication, and leveraging the gig economy for project-based learning. The event emphasized managing risk, embracing uncertainty, and finding purpose in your work, all crucial for navigating the dynamic world of AI. Finally, Surekha Reddy stressed the power of community leadership in developing essential soft skills, showcasing a seamless transition from corporate roles to successful AI startups. This event fostered a supportive community for professionals eager to embrace the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. For details read the blog here.

The recent SAP & Women in Big Data Munich afterwork event on July 25 was an unforgettable gathering of nearly a hundred female professionals. Hosted at the newly opened SAP Labs Munich Campus, the event aimed to showcase SAP’s commitment to employee experience and highlight the diverse applications of AI in an ERP context. The evening featured inspiring talks from industry experts. Rachel Laventure, Global Head of UX & Product Success for Industries & CX at SAP, emphasized the crucial role of responsible AI in delivering optimal user experiences. Dr. Katharina Wollenberg and Yichen Lou from SAP provided insights into their research on AI for production scheduling, demonstrating how AI can revolutionize business operations. Beyond the insightful presentations, attendees enjoyed networking opportunities, building tours, and a lively quiz. The event was a testament to the power of collaboration between SAP and Women in Big Data in fostering a vibrant community of professionals passionate about technology and innovation.

We are incredibly grateful to Liliya Frye for leading the Leadership Development Workshop for Women in Big Data SoCal on July 25. Her exceptional leadership skills guided us through an engaging session on different leadership styles, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the distinction between a leader and a boss. It was an inspiring experience with valuable takeaways. Special thanks to Eva Haese and FanDuel for hosting us and to Viviana Alba, for her help with photography and setup. Your contributions made the event truly memorable!

Held our WiBD / DataCamp Donates? monthly event on July 26 where HR expert Dolan Banerjee shared her insider tips on landing your dream job. Participants learned how to stand out in a crowded applicant pool and master the interview process. Dolan's actionable advice will transform one into an interview-ready professional. Recording of the session here.

Interested in pursuing a data career in the biotech industry? Join our WiBD Bay Area chapter on Aug 5 to find out how our panelists have successfully landed their roles and continue to advance their data careers in the biotechnology sector. Register here.

We are excited to announce our partnership with the Dubai AI & Web3 Festival 2024! WiBD is proud to join forces with this premier event to champion diversity, innovation, and the advancement of women in technology. Our collaboration with the Dubai AI & Web3 Festival will amplify our efforts through training, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Join us on 11-12 September 2024 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, to witness groundbreaking advancements in AI and Web3 and to celebrate this significant partnership. For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/3XVS7Ap . Book your tickets now using the coupon code ‘WIBD20’ at checkout to secure a 20% discount: https://bit.ly/464xeVO .

Click here for more events. And click here for the blog coverage.

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