How I Met Your Data

Welcome to another episode of "How I Met Your Data" with your hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal. Join us in this engaging conversation as we bid Sandy farewell on her new venture and welcome Rachel Moore Best, a renowned negotiation expert and lecturer at MIT. In this episode, Rachel shares her journey from music studies to becoming a negotiation specialist, emphasizing the significance of negotiation beyond the boardroom and into everyday life. Discover the power of negotiation in enhancing communication, collaboration, and influence within teams while navigating complex dynamics and decision-making. Perfect for data practitioners, engineers, or anyone interested in improving their negotiation skills, this episode is packed with insights and strategies that transcend typical negotiation boundaries.

Welcome to Season 2 of "How I Met Your Data," where hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal dive into the dynamic world of data. In this episode, they chat with guest Carly Van Zandt, Senior Director of Data Governance at Fresenius Medical Care.  Carly shares her fascinating journey from biology to data governance, highlighting her innovative approach to demonstrating the ROI of governance efforts, even with a small team. Discover how Carly's unique methodology has transformed data practices and learn about the real-world examples she used to gain executive buy-in. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the impact of effective data governance.

This episode of How I Met Your Data welcomes Dr. Elouise Epstein, a digital futurist, to discuss the often overlooked world of procurement. Listeners will learn what procurement is and why it's essential to business success. Dr. Epstein provides insights into the challenges that procurement teams face, including a lack of spend transparency, reliance on outdated technology, and the struggle to keep up with a rapidly evolving digital landscape. She also shares her vision for the future of procurement, where supply chains become a core competitive advantage, driven by data, AI, and a deep understanding of supplier relationships. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in data, technology, and the future of business.

Welcome to another episode of How I Met Your Data! In this episode, hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal are thrilled to welcome Malcolm Hawker, a seasoned expert in data and analytics with over 25 years of experience. Currently the Chief Data Officer at Prophecy, Malcolm shares his insights on master data management and data governance. The episode kicks off with a discussion about the recent CDOIQ conference in Boston, where Anjali and Malcolm co-hosted a session. They delve into the topics covered during their session, emphasizing the need for transforming data culture within organizations. Malcolm highlights the importance of delivering value and shifting mindsets to foster a positive data culture. Listeners will gain valuable insights on how to prioritize collaboration, continuous engagement, and leveraging product management principles in data leadership. Malcolm also shares his thoughts on the future of data management, including the potential of data fabrics and governance as a service. Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with practical advice and forward-thinking perspectives on the evolving landscape of data and analytics.

This week, Anjali Bansal and Sandy Estrada, welcome Stefanie Gervasi, the Director of U.S. Partnerships and Alliances for Alation.  Alation is a leading provider of data cataloging and governance solutions designed to empower organizations to harness the power of their data effectively. In this episode, they dive into the intricate relationships between software companies, consulting firms, and data executives.  They also discuss the importance of partnerships, the role of consulting firms in guiding clients, and the critical factors for successful collaborations. Whether you're a data executive, a consulting firm, or a software vendor, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge to help you navigate the complex world of partnerships in data. Join us for an engaging conversation filled with practical advice and industry insights. 

This week, on How I Met Your Data Anjali and I have a special edition for you. We're going to debrief on the Snowflake Data Cloud Summit that took place just a couple of weeks ago. Joining us is Michael Cochrane, Cervelo's Global Data and Analytics Consulting Practice Leader, and a longtime colleague of mine.  We dive deep into the evolution of Snowflake, its impact on clients, and how it has transformed from a cloud-optimized data solution to a comprehensive platform supporting multi-cloud and real-time data needs. Mike also discusses the significance of governance, privacy, and cost management in today's data landscape. We explore the latest advancements and releases showcased at the summit, including Snowflake's partnership with NVIDIA and the push towards native apps and containerized services. The conversation also touches on the increasing complexity of data architectures and the importance of maintaining transparency and optionality in technology investments. Join us as we reflect on the exciting developments from the Snowflake Summit and discuss the future of data engineering, AI, and the ever-evolving role of technology in driving business value.

Join Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal in this exciting episode of "How I Met Your Data" as they welcome Junaid Farooq, a seasoned expert in data governance and strategy currently leading enterprise data initiatives at First Citizens Bank.  Junaid shares his journey and insights on data democratization, data governance, and the impact of AI on data management. Discover how First Citizens Bank navigated through significant acquisitions and the challenges they faced in integrating data and aligning on culture. Junaid also discusses the essential disciplines of data management and offers advice on staying versatile and continuously learning in the ever-evolving field of data. Tune in for an unscripted, insightful conversation.

Welcome to this episode of "How I Met Your Data." Join hosts Sandy and Anjali as they delve into a captivating conversation with Erin Kelly from Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR). Erin, the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Solutions and Strategy, shares her experiences and insights on how KAGR, leverages data management, advanced analytics, and strategic consulting to help sports teams and leagues run their business more efficiently. Erin discusses the importance of understanding fans beyond ticketing, the rise of sophisticated sponsorship analytics, and the impact of pop culture phenomena like Taylor Swift on sports viewership. Tune in to explore the ever-evolving landscape of sports analytics and how data is shaping the future of fan engagement, team operations, and business strategies in the sports and entertainment industry.

Join us for an enlightening episode of "How I Met Your Data" as hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal explore the dynamic world of artificial intelligence with Laura Grace Ellis, Vice President of Data and AI at Rapid7. Laura shares her journey and expertise, discussing the challenges and strategies of AI implementation in organizations, with a focus on efficiency, scalability, and enablement. Discover how Laura's role has evolved to lead both data and AI operations at Rapid7, and learn about her involvement with Women Leaders in Data and AI. She offers valuable insights into prioritizing AI projects for real business value, navigating the 'buy vs. build' decision, and the creative aspects of engineering. You'll also hear about surprising wins, the importance of organizational alignment, and the rapid evolution of AI. This episode is packed with practical advice and thought-provoking discussions that will inspire anyone interested in the future of AI. 

In this episode of "How I Met Your Data," hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Basal touch on their recent experiences at pivotal data management conferences, sharing insights from FIMA in Boston and Data Universe in New York. They discuss the latest in GenAI, networking opportunities, and the dynamic interplay of ideas at these community events. Joining them is Rachel Workman, VP of Data at SoundCommerce, who sheds light on her unconventional journey through the data landscape. Rachel offers a deep dive into the often-overlooked gap between data teams and business operations within many organizations. The conversation also tackles the lure of constantly chasing the next big innovation. Rachel and the hosts explore the impacts of frequent project pivoting—from talent turnover to accumulating technical debt. Additionally, they introduce the concept of metric trees to transparently demonstrate ROI and discuss why organizations should steer clear of regular shifts in priorities. Blending technical insights with human stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone aiming to effectively bridge the data divide in today's organizations.

In this episode of How I Met Your Data, we welcome James Anderson, ex-consultant and current Director of Cloud Data Architecture at Snowflake. Hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal engage in a comprehensive discussion covering Snowflake's advanced capabilities, the intricacies of dashboards, and the broader future of data work.   The conversation covers a lot of ground from the critical importance of aligning business goals with data initiatives, the value of Return on Investment (ROI), and the creation of data products.  We discuss the dangers of focusing too narrowly on specific use-cases, the benefits of reusability in data products, and the essential roles of assets and collaboration in data analytics. We also debate the often misunderstood concepts of data mesh and the pivotal role of data governance. The dialogue then extends into Generative AI and its influence on business strategies. We discuss the modern data stack's tool selection process, how customer feedback influences Snowflake's developments, and generative AI's effects on data teams. Additionally, we explore the role of Python in data engineering and then take a stance over the longevity of operational dashboards. This episode is jam packed with industry trends, practical examples, and thought-provoking insights into data management, governance, AI, and advanced analytics.  You are not going to want to miss this one. 

On today’s episode of How I Met Your Data, Sandy Estrada & Anjali Bansal dive into the heart of organizational challenges and triumphs in the realm of data governance, technology adoption, and the ever-evolving landscape of Gen AI.   With excitement still buzzing from our launch, we’re tackling the surprises and insights that have emerged from our conversations over the last couple of weeks.  From the dual-edged sword of policy and change resistance in data governance to the shadows where Gen AI is being forged, we’re unpacking what it means to navigate the complex tapestry of modern organizations.   We also explore the nuances of consulting, the human side of data projects, and the intricate dance between business and IT. Expect tales of change fatigue, the quest for effective communication, and the occasional need for data therapy.   Whether you’re a data veteran or new to the field, this episode promises a blend of reflective insights, practical advice, and a touch of humor to lighten the load.

Welcome to our debut episode of "How I Met Your Data," a podcast that aims to break down the complexities of the data world from a human perspective. Today's episode briefly introduces your hosts, Sandy Estrada and Anjali Bansal. We hope you enjoy it and decide to join us on this journey by subscribing!

In this episode of How I Met Your Data, Christina Hois, a data leader with over 30 years in financial services, joins Anjali and Junaid to explore why data challenges rarely stem from technology — and almost always come down to people. Christina shares why breaking down cultural silos, building stakeholder trust, and prioritizing data tied to real business outcomes matter more than deploying new tools. The conversation highlights the critical role of emotional intelligence, credibility, and collaboration in making data governance actually work. The takeaway is clear: technology enables scale, but trust and teamwork determine success.  

In this episode of How I Met Your Data: The Prompt, Anjali and Karen dig into one of the fastest-emerging patterns in development today: vibe coding - the practice of describing what you want and letting an LLM generate the code. It’s new. It’s evolving. And right now, it’s causing as much frustration as it is excitement. Karen breaks down what vibe coding actually looks like in practice: developers prompting AI to produce entire features or files, navigating the wildly different “personalities” of today’s LLMs, and learning how to guide systems that might generate brilliant structure… or unintended chaos. Together, they talk through the real friction points - overly eager model behavior, unexpected file changes, incomplete suggestions, and the creeping loss of hands-on debugging skills that used to tie engineers closer to their code. But underneath the surface is a bigger enterprise theme. The rise of vibe coding speaks to deeper issues: end users who still aren’t getting what they need, bottlenecks in IT and data teams, and the rapid expansion of citizen development as people search for faster paths to outcomes. Anjali and Karen unpack the operational and governance implications, from maintainability and handoff challenges to compliance blind spots and the need for standards that can coexist with AI-assisted creation. They also dive into where AI does shine today - those repetitive, operational workflows that quietly save teams hours - and why focusing on value, ownership, and workflow design matters far more than chasing the next flashy LLM demo. This episode is an honest, grounded look at how AI-assisted development is taking shape: what’s promising, what’s painful, and what it means for teams trying to build responsibly, collaboratively, and at scale.

In this episode of How I Met Your Data, Anjali and Junaid sit down with Tony Shaw, Founder & CEO of DATAVERSITY - the force behind Enterprise Data World (EDW) and DGIQ. Tony traces the early origins of a “metadata conference” that became a global learning platform, then gets candid about what actually moves the data profession forward: cycles, culture, and community. We dig into how conference content evolves (remember when data modeling was the headliner?), why governance remains a business function first, and how AI is reshaping both programming and the attendee experience; think smarter discovery of talks, better content matching, and, perhaps someday, intentional networking that beats hallway serendipity. Tony also shares the story behind DATAVERSITY’s Women in Data focus and why younger, more global audiences are changing the room—for the better. In this episode The origin story: buying a tiny “metadata” event and building DATAVERSITY into a global education platform Surviving economic cycles: training, travel, sponsorship, and how digital finally scaled during COVID What’s changed (and what hasn’t): the rise, fall, and return of semantics; AI’s pull on modeling and governance Governance as a business sport: why DGIQ draws nearly 50% of non-IT leaders Global signals: banks in Uruguay winning best-practice awards; Saudi Arabia’s push on data & AI capability AI at conferences: from content discovery to future attendee matchmaking (and the privacy guardrails we’ll need) Women in Data: mentorship, career design, and programming that’s open to everyone, but designed to meet real gaps You’ll like this if… You lead data/AI programs, run governance in the messy middle, or care about how our field learns—together. Also useful if you’re deciding whether to bring your non-data peers to a data conference (short answer: yes).

In this episode of How I Met Your Data Today, hosts Anjali and Junaid sit down with financial services industry veteran Julia Bardmesser about the significance of political capital in data leadership. Julia shares insights from her 25-year career, working across major institutions such as Bloomberg, Citi, Deutsche Bank, and Voya Financial, before founding her strategic advisory firm. She clarifies what political capital is (and isn't) and how it affects the ability to drive data and AI initiatives within organizations. The discussion covers identifying key relationships, managing obstructionists, the importance of high EQ, and tactical advice on when and how to spend political capital effectively. Julia emphasizes that delivering real value to the organization is the cornerstone of building lasting political capital. The conversation is filled with real-life examples and lessons learned, making it a must-listen for data professionals and leaders navigating corporate landscapes.

In this episode of The Prompt, hosts Anjali and Karen dive into the latest headlines about AI adoption and ROI, unpacking why 95% of AI pilots are reportedly failing while a select 5% succeed. Drawing parallels to the dot-com era, they explore the real reasons behind AI project failures, the importance of vendor partnerships, and the pitfalls of unrealistic expectations in proof-of-concept initiatives. The conversation highlights the need for clear business objectives, data governance, and a pragmatic approach to technology adoption. Tune in for candid insights, lessons learned, and a fresh perspective on what it really takes to drive value with AI in today’s organizations.

In this episode of The Prompt, Anjali, Karen and Junaid unpack the unsettling news that shared ChatGPT conversations—via the platform’s “share” feature—were indexed by Google, making sensitive prompts and personal details publicly searchable. Topics explored include: How the share link works, and why “public” really means public Why even seemingly benign prompts can build an unnervingly detailed profile of you The cultural differences in privacy expectations between the US and Europe—and why drones over your backyard might make you rethink your stance. The personal responsibility side of AI use: knowing what not to put into a chatbot. From governance implications to everyday “would you want your search history read out loud?” moments, this conversation is a reminder that in the digital age, once it’s out there, it’s out there.

In this episode of How I Met Your Data, hosts Anjali, Junaid, and guest Jay Krish dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of Agentic AI—a paradigm shift from rule-following automation to systems capable of autonomous decision-making. Jay, a seasoned financial services leader and AI thinker, breaks down what Agentic AI really is: a network of large language models working together to reason, adapt, and act independently toward a goal. Together, they explore: 🧠 How Agentic AI differs from traditional automation and ML 🚸 Why AI autonomy should be earned like parental trust—and the stages of building that maturity ⚖️ The escalating risk matrix: Who owns the risk when AI goes rogue? 🛡 Why human-in-the-loop design must persist, even in autonomous environments 🌎 The unspoken costs: environmental impact and the power-hungry infrastructure behind AI innovation 🔮 What the rise of agent-based systems means for the future workforce—and how to prepare for what's next Jay offers practical advice on getting started, reframing fear into forward motion, and bringing ethical, human-centered thinking into the AI build process. If you're curious about AI's next frontier, the risks and rewards of autonomous systems, and how to stay resilient in the face of transformation—this one's for you.