Data is more than just numbers and statistics; it is the lifeblood of informed decision-making and strategic planning. In "The Human Side of Data," panelists will delve into the complex interplay between data and the human factors that shape its collection, interpretation, and utilization. Explore how personal biases, historical contexts, and societal changes influence data quality and integrity. We will discuss real-world examples of how data can be misused or misunderstood, leading to significant consequences. Join us to uncover the essential role of human judgment in ensuring responsible and ethical data use and learn how to navigate the challenges of interpreting data in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Each attendee will walk away from this panel discussion being able to:

• Understand Data Context: Learn how historical and societal contexts impact the accuracy and relevance of data.
• Recognize the Impact of Personal Bias: Identify how personal and systemic biases can affect data interpretation and decision-making.
• Prioritize Data Literacy: Improve your data literacy to evaluate the reliability and applicability of data in various contexts more effectively.
• Look to the Future of Data Management: Explore the evolving landscape of data management and how emerging technologies can be leveraged responsibly.

Speaker: Dave Wilkinson

Over the past decade, Dave Wilkinson has been a thought leader in extracting knowledge from corporate data assets:

• Building Fortune 500 clients to implement innovative architectures focused on generating knowledge from data
• Leading teams at IBM and Initiate Systems in developing approaches for data lakes and other information environments to address clients
• Translating these approaches into product implementations for Data Integration, Master Data Management, and Data Governance

Dave's approach focuses on desired outcomes. This focus directs the investment in tooling to maximize the outcomes' value based on the available data. By applying pragmatic thinking, his 6 Sigma Blackbelt skills, and agile execution techniques, Dave’s approach enables valuable insights without massive effort and investment. Dave brings a wealth of skills to knowledge generation including: Data Infrastructure, Master Data Management, Data Governance, Information Architecture, Big Data, Hadoop, Structured and Unstructured Data, and Integration.

Speaker: Cher Fox

Cher Fox is a data leader who's been solving the data puzzle for over 35 years. As the President, Founder and CDO of Fox Consulting, she advises organizations to proactively define and optimize their processes and enhance quality standards to resolve their most painful data insight issues. Her decades of deep practitioner experience in data and analytics specializes in crafting and executing secure strategic roadmaps for global companies' complex analytics, data, data science, marketing, AI and ML solutions. Additionally, Cher guides senior leaders on confidently leveraging their existing software assets to overcome their technology challenges, facilitating better experiences in making data-driven business decisions while also resulting in significant time and cost savings on maintenance and support. She is a host for the InsightJam.com The Jam Session podcast and has spoken at 40+ international conferences and events. Cher is known for championing process excellence, empowering organizations to embrace change, and unlocking the full potential of their data assets.

Speaker: Karen Lopez

Karen Lopez is a Senior Project Manager and Architect at InfoAdvisors. She has 20-plus years of experience in project and data management on large, multi-project programs. Karen is a popular speaker known for her highly interactive, practical, and sometimes irreverent presentation style. She is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and MCT. Karen wants you to love your data as part of #TeamData. 

Speaker: Paula Reece

Paula Reece is a seasoned data management professional with a profound passion for driving data-driven innovation. With a strong foundation in process optimization, data quality, and enterprise data management - Paula excels at transforming complex data challenges into actionable insights. Paula's extensive background in healthcare and pharma has equipped her with the expertise to navigate and address the unique demands of these industries. Currently, Paula is furthering her knowledge by pursuing a degree in data science, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.