Women in Data Podcast

Hosted by womenindata

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

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.

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60 recent

September 8, 2026Episode 16821 min

Ep.166 - You Don't Have to Leave Yourself at the Door

What if being “professional” is actually costing you a part of yourself that could actually make you better at your job? In this episode of the Women in Data® Podcast, Karen is joined by Izzy Becker, Manager at Kubrick Group, to explore what happens when we stop suppressing the parts of ourselves that don’t seem to fit the world of data and tech. Izzy shares her journey from ballet dancer and figure skater to data and technology consultant, and how reconnecting with dance helped her rediscover vulnerability, creativity, joy and self-expression. But this wasn’t just a personal transformation. She found that embracing those parts of herself changed how she showed up professionally — making her more creative, more experimental and better able to think laterally and challenge the status quo. Together, they explore the hidden cost of performing professionalism, why vulnerability can be a strength rather than a weakness, and how giving yourself permission to be your whole self can unlock confidence and new possibilities in your career. You’ll hear about: Why suppressing parts of yourself can leave you feeling disconnected and depleted How authenticity and self-expression can strengthen creativity, problem-solving and innovation Why you don’t need to fit a traditional idea of what a successful data professional looks like How reconnecting with something that brings you joy can change the way you approach your career Because sometimes, the part of yourself you’ve been leaving at the door isn’t a distraction from your career — it’s the part that can help you thrive in it. Connect with Izzy on LinkedIn (Izzy Becker) and Instagram (@izzybecker__)

August 4, 2026Episode 16714 min

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

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

July 21, 2026Episode 16624 min

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

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

July 7, 2026Episode 16525 min

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

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.

June 23, 2026Episode 16431 min

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

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/

June 9, 2026Episode 16322 min

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

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.

May 26, 2026Episode 16227 min

Ep160 - From Analyst to Manager: What No One Tells You

Stepping into management should feel like the natural next step… right? But for many data professionals, becoming a manager feels less like “levelling up” and more like learning an entirely new job from scratch. In this episode of the Women in Data Podcast, Karen is joined by Gemma Trailor, Analytics Manager at B&Q, to unpack the biggest shifts that happen when moving from analyst to manager—and why so many new managers feel unprepared for the reality of the role. Together, they explore: Why management is a completely different skillset How to build credibility when managing former peers The challenge of prioritisation, stakeholder pressure, and saying no Why your value is no longer measured by output alone How to lead with confidence—even when you’re doubting yourself This conversation is honest, practical, and full of the lessons people usually learn the hard way. If you’re aiming for your first management role—or you’ve recently stepped into one and are thinking “why does this feel so hard?”—this episode is for you.

May 12, 2026Episode 16122 min

Ep. 159 - Better Questions, Faster Answers: The Rise of Synthetic Audiences

What if you could ask your customers anything, and get an answer instantly? In this episode of the Women in Data Podcast, we explore synthetic audiences: AI-powered simulations of real customer segments that are changing the way businesses understand people, test ideas, and make decisions. Leanne breaks down how these audiences are built using real data and large language models, and why this approach removes many of the limitations of traditional research methods like surveys and focus groups. We also dive into where this works best, where it doesn’t, and what it means for data and insight professionals today.

April 28, 2026Episode 16026 min

Ep.158 - Rejection Isn't Failure - So Why Do You Feel Stuck?

Rejection is something we all experience in our careers, but rarely talk about openly. In this episode, Karen and Cecilia have an honest conversation about what setbacks actually feel like in data careers. From job rejections to ideas not landing and difficult feedback, they explore how these moments can impact confidence, identity, and growth. Together, they share personal experiences, unpack the stories we tell ourselves after a “no”, and offer practical ways to reframe rejection without dismissing the emotional impact. This episode is a reminder that resilience isn’t about being unaffected, it’s about learning how to process setbacks, build perspective, and keep moving forward in a way that’s sustainable and kind to yourself.

April 14, 2026Episode 15923 min

Ep.157 - Stop Shrinking in Your Role

Have you ever stepped into a new role… and suddenly felt smaller than you expected? You worked hard to get there. You have the experience. But a few weeks in, you walk into meetings and start second-guessing yourself. Everyone else seems more established, more confident. And before you realise it, you start shrinking. In this episode of the Women in Data Podcast, Karen is joined by Michelle Adebayo, Data and AI Governance Manager, who shares her experience of navigating imposter syndrome after joining an organisation where many colleagues had been there for decades. Despite nearly a decade of experience in data governance, Michelle found herself stepping back in meetings, letting others speak for her, and questioning whether she really belonged. A candid moment with a mentor forced her to confront what was really going on: fear. Michelle shares how she rebuilt her confidence, learned the language of the organisation, and developed practical strategies to stay visible and influential in meetings. If you’ve ever felt smaller in a role you worked hard to get, this episode will remind you of something important: You earned your place. Your voice belongs in the room.