Women in Data Podcast

In this inspiring and deeply grounded episode of the Women in Data Podcast, host Cecilia Oliveira sits down with Ayesha Hussain to flip the narrative on what it means to build a successful career in tech. Moving past the myth of the "complete package" on day one, Ayesha shares her non-linear transition from sales and local business into data, all while navigating family priorities and caregiving roles. The conversation explores how tapping into creative outlets serves as a vital decompression tool, sharpens stakeholder communication, and injects "spiciness" into complex technical frameworks. Tune in for a refreshing take on uncoupling self-worth from technical stacks, setting non-negotiable boundaries, and finding grounded confidence from the inside out.

In this episode of the Women in Data Podcast, host Cecilia Oliveira chats with Julia Regan, Senior Data Manager at Monzo. Julia leads a team of 30 across Data Science, Data Analytics, and Analytics Engineering across Core Banking and Global Expansion. They dive into one of the most common and daunting transitions in a data career: managing people who have deeper technical expertise or more years of experience than you. Julia shares her personal journey into management, how she navigated imposter syndrome when stepping into leadership, and why the role of a data manager is about enabling others rather than having all the technical answers. From practical strategies for asking the right questions to protecting your team's focus and building mutual trust, this episode provides an honest and actionable roadmap for current and aspiring data leaders.

We’ve all been there: staring at our CV and wondering if it’s time to make a move. But what about that silent, exhausting "grey zone": where you aren't ready to hand in your notice today, but you realise your energy is slowly draining away? In this co-hosted episode, Karen and Cecilia pull back the curtain on the Pre-Exit Audit: the psychological shift from trying to fix a room that isn't built for you, to quietly building the door to your next chapter. Tune in as we discuss: The Tech Stack & Maturity Cap: Knowing when you've outgrown an organisation's data infrastructure or stakeholder appetite. The "Good Job" Trap: Why we feel guilt about leaving roles where the team is great, but individual growth has plateaued. De-Stigmatising Probationary Pivots: Recognising culture and expectation mismatches early without fear of "ruining" your CV. Reclaiming Your Cognitive Energy: How to shift your focus to networking, up-skilling, and portfolio building before burnout hits. Are you staying loyal to your company at the expense of your own career trajectory? Let's talk about it. Links & Resources Mentioned: Join the Women in Data Community for free: womenindata.co.uk Revisit Episode 132: Should I Stay or Should I Go? with Rihanna and Molly

What if chasing your next promotion is actually holding your career back? In this episode of the Women in Data Podcast, Karen is joined by Diana Lee, Head of AI Science and Capabilities at Compare the Market, to rethink what career progression really means. Diana has built a deliberately non-linear career, moving from investment banking and academia into consulting and then data leadership. But despite her impressive career, she says she’s actually less career-focused than she used to be. The difference? She stopped measuring success by promotions, job titles and what other people thought she should want. Instead, Diana focuses on building skills that will make her more valuable over the long term — from communication and stakeholder management to problem-solving and understanding what makes her different. She also shares how to recognise when it’s time to leave a role, why your network doesn’t disappear when you change companies, and her simple framework for making career risks. If you’re ambitious but questioning whether the traditional career ladder is still right for you, this conversation will help you think differently about growth, success and your next move.

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__)

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

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

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.

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/

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.