The newest installment in our Q&A sequence with girls 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 discovered the thrill – and challenges – of working with knowledge as the worldwide affect measurement lead at a humanitarian assist 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 International Information Energy Ladies lists and acknowledged by Orbition Group as one of many high 10 innovators of 2024. We requested her about who and what impressed her to succeed as a girl in knowledge administration. You possibly can observe Sandema-Sombe on LinkedIn and skim extra about her right here.
What impressed you to decide on a profession in knowledge and turn into a frontrunner within the subject?
I by chance began my profession in a job that had the arduous process 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 discovered 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 cut back poverty world wide. I then noticed the identical forms of points in my subsequent function in monetary companies, the place there was a need to advance companies offered to purchasers and leverage group data to win extra bids and enhance income. The flexibility to attach data, folks, 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 girl in knowledge?
Typically being the one one on the desk could make it exhausting 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 expertise however are essential to drive alignment and engagement in profitable knowledge initiatives throughout stakeholders.
How can we encourage extra girls to pursue careers in knowledge?
I believe we have to not solely emphasize technical talent units once we discuss careers in knowledge. The sphere of knowledge is extraordinarily broad and has wants for talent units which are non-technical and will be transferred from areas the place there may be better illustration of ladies within the workforce. Beginning to promote and rent for these beneficial non-technical expertise – particularly within the areas of change, literacy, data administration, communication, and storytelling, to call a couple of – will do rather a lot to convey extra girls into this subject.
Our voices are wanted greater than ever within the knowledge house. Historical past has proven {that a} lack of inclusivity leads to myopic decisions that principally 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 subjects 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 kids 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.
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