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The most recent installment in our Q&A collection with ladies leaders in knowledge options Dr. Christina Sandema-Sombe, chief knowledge steward of Nike, Inc. (Learn our earlier Q&A right here.)
Dr. Christina Sandema-Sombe first realized the fun – and challenges – of working with knowledge as the worldwide affect measurement lead at a humanitarian support group. Over a decade later, Sandema-Sombe now serves because the chief knowledge steward for Nike, Inc., in addition to the co-founder and chief knowledge officer of Datum Cafe, a minority-owned advisory companies firm for knowledge leaders. She has been featured within the DataIQ 100 and World Information Energy Ladies lists and acknowledged by Orbition Group as one of many prime 10 innovators of 2024. We requested her about who and what impressed her to succeed as a lady in knowledge administration. You possibly can comply with Sandema-Sombe on LinkedIn and browse extra about her right here.
What impressed you to decide on a profession in knowledge and change into a pacesetter within the subject?
I unintentionally began my profession in a task that had the arduous job of making an attempt to attach the story of the affect the non-profit group was having throughout the globe. In a short time, I realized the challenges of connecting knowledge in significant methods from disparate sources – and the way straightforward it was to inform an inaccurate story to donors about how their {dollars} have been getting used to create ladders of alternative and scale back poverty world wide. I then noticed the identical forms of points in my subsequent position in monetary companies, the place there was a want to advance companies offered to shoppers and leverage group data to win extra bids and improve income. The flexibility to attach data, individuals, and enterprise knowledge to drive will increase in income solidified for me how a lot alternative there was within the knowledge house.
What has been your greatest problem as a lady in knowledge?
Usually being the one one on the desk could make it arduous to be heard and included – particularly when the work that you just do is agnostic to the expertise and focuses on conduct, tradition, literacy, change, and connections. These are sometimes ignored abilities however are essential to drive alignment and engagement in profitable knowledge initiatives throughout stakeholders.
How can we encourage extra ladies to pursue careers in knowledge?
I believe we have to not solely emphasize technical ability units after we discuss careers in knowledge. The sector of knowledge is extraordinarily broad and has wants for ability units which can be non-technical and may be transferred from areas the place there’s better illustration of girls within the workforce. Beginning to promote and rent for these worthwhile non-technical abilities – particularly within the areas of change, literacy, data administration, communication, and storytelling, to call a number of – will do so much to deliver extra ladies into this subject.
Our voices are wanted greater than ever within the knowledge house. Historical past has proven {that a} lack of inclusivity ends in myopic selections that largely negatively affect the excluded group. As speedy advances are being made it’s crucial to be engaged within the system to advocate for underrepresented teams on matters like privateness and moral makes use of of AI.
Enjoyable reality about your self?
Once I’m not engaged on knowledge, I’m following my husband or youngsters to sports activities meets across the nation. It’s allowed me to journey fairly a bit and keep near my household’s passions in sports activities.
Do you know? We produced our first Ladies in Information Administration and Governance half-day convention at Enterprise Information World 2024. Hear the dwell recording and be part of the group by signing up for our Ladies in Information Administration and Governance e-newsletter.
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