As Conviva’s chief product officer and co-founder, Aditya leads product strategy for the world’s first operational data platform. He has been key in implementing Conviva’s stateful analytics, connecting system performance to business outcomes. Aditya’s career at Conviva spans from lead engineer to chief product officer. He was previously a doctoral candidate at Carnegie Mellon University, where he contributed to the first peer-to-peer live streaming system.

Presented Measuring Magic: Delivering Delightful Guest Experiences with Operational Data

Alvin Francis is currently the vice president of product management for business analytics at IBM. Before joining IBM, he held several senior leadership positions in the telecommunications industry, including director of sales, vice president of marketing, vice president of product management and general manager.

Alvin's educational background includes a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario Ivey School of Business, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State University.

Presented Increase Productivity Across Your Business with Generative AI and BI Assistants

Amanda Kelly serves as director of product experiences at Snowflake, including Streamlit, one of the fastest-growing open source data science projects. She was the co-founder and chief operating officer of Streamlit before it was acquired by Snowflake in March 2022. Amanda previously led product and operations for several stealthy Google X projects, developing new products and algorithms across Google's natural language processing capabilities. During her tenure at Zoox (acquired by Amazon), she developed ground-up product solutions to build a fully autonomous vehicle, and later scaled operations for deploying fleets in cities. Amanda has a Master of Business Administration from Stanford and holds several patents.

Presented Iterative Data Science with Streamlit, Snowflake and LLMs

As senior vice president of data and AI at Globant, Andy Eyherabide helps clients reinvent themselves by designing and building connected experiences using data and AI with a business-driven approach. He fosters regional synergies and promotes internal AI adoption. Andy has held senior roles at industry leaders SAS and BCG, co-founded and led Datalytics’ professional services team and shapes the future workforce as a postgraduate professor of data science at Universidad del CEMA.

Presented AI's Renaissance: A Dynamic Shift for Business and Society

With extensive experience in driving strategic growth and market expansion, Billy Fischer is a dynamic leader renowned for his ability to transform businesses and inspire teams. As senior vice president of business development at 10up, Billy has a proven track record of identifying and capitalizing on new market opportunities, fostering innovation and leading successful business development initiatives.

Presented Crafting Enchanting Customer Journeys with AI and Data

Brian Alvey is the chief technology officer at WordPress VIP, an enterprise content management system solution trusted by iconic media titans, major brands and government agencies. Before joining WordPress VIP in 2022, Brian was the founder of Engadget. He also served as a leader in online publishing and has built software used by hundreds of global media and retail brands.

Presented Crafting Enchanting Customer Journeys with AI and Data

Carolina Dolan Chandler is chief digital officer at Globant. She joined the company in 2006 and has held a variety of roles contributing to the business’s 360-degree growth, including technical director, account director and global marketing director. Today, Carolina is in charge of establishing a cross-company data strategy and driving the adoption, development and implementation of digital technologies, ranging from proprietary applications to industry standards.

Presented AI's Renaissance: A Dynamic Shift for Business and Society

Deepthi leads an incredibly brilliant team of data and AI practitioners for IBM Consulting across several industries including manufacturing, energy telecommunication and technology. She is an avid technologist, thinker, thought leader, curious learner and problem solver working at the intersection of people, processes, strategy, digital, technology and data with rapid experimentation and an entrepreneurial mindset. Her superpowers include curiosity, servant leadership, Innovator's DNA, connectivity, collaboration, self-motivation, thirst for knowledge, optimism, a can-do spirit, a must-do resolve and problem-solving. Prior to joining IBM, she led all things digital for Shell's Lubricants Americas business, helping accelerate the growth agenda for Shell Downstream.

Presented Increase Productivity Across Your Business with Generative AI and BI Assistants

Eric has over 25 years of experience in the data and analytics space and is currently responsible for standing up and maturing an enterprise-wide reporting function for Bread Financial. Prior to Bread, Eric served as director of data analytics at Ohio State University where he built out their enterprise reporting organization, consolidating reporting teams across the university. While at Ohio State, Eric created a collaborative reporting community with other reporting experts at universities across the world.

Presented Fostering Data-Driven Culture: Overcoming Challenges and Strategies for Organizational Growth

Dr. John Doulis is vice president of clinical informatics and technology innovation at HCA Healthcare. Previously, Dr. Doulis was the senior vice president of clinical solutions at First Data Bank as well as the assistant vice chancellor for health affairs and chief operating officer of the Informatics Center at Vanderbilt University. He has 20+ years of experience designing and managing information systems that support health and academic enterprises. He received his doctor of medicine from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

Presented AI's Renaissance: A Dynamic Shift for Business and Society

John has more than 25 years of experience in marketing, specializing in data-driven marketing and loyalty. He is currently vice president of loyalty, personalization and analytics at Rite Aid. John has been a change agent and leader for data transformation and creating a data-driven culture, and for introducing behavioral design and behavioral economics concepts. John has a Bachelor of Arts in Design from Salem State University and a Master of Science in Communications from Boston University.

Presented Fostering Data-Driven Culture: Overcoming Challenges and Strategies for Organizational Growth

Manu Singh is the vice president of data science and analytics at the New York Post, where they founded NYP Data Labs to drive ML-powered analysis and experimentation. His current responsibilities include leading a team of highly skilled professionals, fostering innovation, and translating data into strategic business advantages for maximum impact.

Previously, Manu was the director of analytics at the NFL, focusing on digital media and international markets, and served on the board of a UK Rugby League team. With a strong background in data science, analytics and engineering, Manu holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of London, and his areas of interest involve cartesian linguistics and algorithmic game theory.

Presented Crafting Enchanting Customer Journeys with AI and Data

Owen Van Valkenburg, a Sr. Microsoft AI Global Black Belt, specializes in Video Analytics, Language and Vision AI, and Multi-Agent Architectures. As the inventor of the COBRA Video Analyzer, he leverages his media background to push the boundaries of AI and how it can apply to video and analytics. Interests include reading, camping, and building interesting and innovative solutions with AI models.

Presented Using Multimodal AI Solutions to Generate Structured Data for Enterprise Analytics

Solomon Williams is a senior technology leader with Factspan having 25+ years of experience in solving complex business problems. Solomon has a proven track record of progressive experience in data and analytics strategy including digital transformations, cloud strategy, data governance, strategic consulting and XOPs (development/data/machine learning) and has delivered global data and AI solutions across industries such as insurance, media & entertainment and retail.

Presented Fostering Data-Driven Culture: Overcoming Challenges and Strategies for Organizational Growth

Tim Hossain leads Marketing at WordPress VIP, a leading content management system with enterprise and high-volume traffic websites in mind. With a rich career across education and technology, Tim is a data-driven leader that understands the importance of analytics and how it should be used in making business decisions. Tim is a first-generation American whose parents immigrated to the US in the early 1970s. He is a child of two worlds, walking the line between his Bangladeshi roots and the realities of being a minority in America.

Presented Crafting Enchanting Customer Journeys with AI and Data

Traci teams with leaders and executives to build sustainable data, analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities, focusing on moving beyond experimentation and prototyping.

Traci helps organizations build processes, teams and technology that follow modern delivery approaches for production scale analytics and AI and product centered data strategies with a relentless focus on generating tangible business benefits. Her clients and teams strive to identify the most pressing use cases and align data and analytics to drive measurable value.

She has deep experience helping clients define their data and analytics strategies, drive insights from unstructured data and designing and implementing conversational AI programs.

Presented Data to Dollars

Tyler Becker is a global analytics specialist at Microsoft with extensive experience in data analytics, cloud technologies and artificial intelligence. Passionate about leveraging emerging technologies to drive innovation, Tyler excels in designing and building data foundations, ensuring security and governance, and promoting the adoption of advanced cloud analytics solutions. With a strong balance of business understanding and technical expertise, Tyler is dedicated to helping organizations gain operational insights and make intelligent decisions.

Presented Using Multimodal AI Solutions to Generate Structured Data for Enterprise Analytics

Vasant Paranjpe is a seasoned software engineer executive with over a decade of experience in the tech industry. He specializes in developing innovative solutions for complex problems, leveraging his expertise in Java, Python and cloud technologies. Vasant holds a Master of Business Administration and a bachelor’s in computer science and has a proven track record of delivering high-quality software products. Passionate about continuous learning, he stays updated with the latest advancements in technology to drive impactful results in his projects.

Presented Upping Your Impact: AI and BI Extended Use Case

Adam has spent his entire career at the intersection of technology and business in multiple industries including defense, biotechnology and hospitality. He is unusually passionate about data and spends his time looking for ways to leverage the incredible talents of technical professionals, uncover hidden secrets in data and tell the story through compelling visualizations. Adam loves his current role supporting the chefs and culinary professionals as senior manager, food and beverage business insights and analytics for Walt Disney World.

Presented Accessibility in Analytics

Ali Baiocco is an analyst on ESPN’s business development and innovation team and has been with the company for two years. She is responsible for evaluating new opportunities and negotiating, maximizing and scaling deals that generate short and long-term revenue, uncover cost reductions across ESPN and push forward fan-facing innovations. She manages key partnerships, servicing key functionalities and verticals including consulting, advanced technology, connectivity, gaming, AI, AR/ VR, commerce and more. She was a part of the team that executed the NHL Big City Greens Classic 1 and 2 and the NFL Toy Story Funday Football live, animated telecasts.

Presented Animating the Game: The Evolution of Volumetric Tracking in Sports Broadcasting

Ashley Levine is a principal project controls estimator at Walt Disney Imagineering and has been with the company since 2011. She manages the resources required to deliver the creative vision to the Guests, supporting various teams in identifying obstacles, tracking changes and developing efficient strategies to overcome them. Currently, Ashley is the lead estimator for Tokyo Disneyland Resort Portfolio, responsible for identifying and communicating the needs of multiple project teams bringing new magic to life at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Ashley studied civil engineering at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and is originally from Cooper City, Florida.

Presented Spark Creations: Unleash the Innovators Within You

Brett O’Neil has been with ESPN since 2005. Starting in the stats and information group, he spent years working with leagues, data providers and internal product teams to enhance the live data experience on ESPN platforms. Brett also helped manage ESPN Analytics and worked to integrate the team’s world class sports metrics into digital and production executions. His current role with business development focuses on collaboration with external partners to create new and innovative ESPN experiences.

Presented Animating the Game: The Evolution of Volumetric Tracking in Sports Broadcasting

Brian Burke is a sports data scientist at ESPN and an early pioneer in football analytics. Prior to joining ESPN, he founded the website Advanced Football Analytics (www.advancedfootballanalytics.com), where he developed the core metrics and models still widely used throughout the sport. He was formerly a consultant to several NFL teams, and a regular contributor to the New York Times, Washington Post, NBC Sports and other outlets.

Presented May the 4th (Downs) Be With You

Chad Cooper has over 20 years of experience in digital analytics and currently leads a team of brilliant digital data analysts supporting Disney Signature Experiences. His career experience includes working for globally recognized media, hospitality and entertainment companies. Chad earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from Rollins College, a Master of Business Administration from Stetson University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tennessee.

Presented It's About Time! Investigating How We Analyze, Utilize and Experience Time

Leading the content team, Chris Szydlo’s team designs and develops both shelf and customized learning experiences about Disney’s approach. Joining Disney in 1994 and Disney Institute in 2000, he’s held multiple roles from leading the delivery team to the business development team. Chris helped revitalize the public courses twice and in his account leadership role helped expand into several new markets, starting up the advisory services team. Chris previously worked as a master model builder and general manager of the LEGO Imagination Center at Disney Springs. Chris has his bachelor’s degree with a specialization in education from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Presented Five Ways to Balance People and Business, Disney Style

Claudia is a senior manager of decision science for Disney Decision Science and Integration (DDSI). Her primary responsibilities include overseeing the science components of the media portfolio which serve Disney media networks’ ad sales and research teams. Prior to joining DDSI, Claudia led a team of data scientists at Southwest Airlines and Colgate Palmolive for several years. Before discovering her passion for technical leadership, she worked in consulting for over six years as a data scientist specializing in revenue management and pricing disciplines in a variety of industries. Claudia holds a master's degree in applied economics and math.

Presented Spark Creations: Unleash the Innovators Within You

Farnaz Shoraka has spent 16 years working in finance, strategy and analytics for the entertainment industry across several lines of businesses including theatrical, transactional, consumer products and streaming. Currently, Farnaz leads content planning and analysis for Direct-to-Consumer at Disney, providing strategic and analytical support on titles from Walt Disney Studios on Disney+ and Hulu. She has been at The Walt Disney Company for 13 years, and prior to joining streaming she worked in Theatrical Distribution and Disney Consumer Products.

Presented How Far We'll Go! How Streaming Measures Franchise Success

Hailey is a business intelligence manager and passionate data storyteller at Disney, where she leverages her expertise in data science and business analytics to deliver strategic insights. Dedicated to diversity, inclusion and accessibility, Hailey integrates accessible design principles into her analytics, inspired by her own visual impairment. Outside of work, she enjoys playing the violin and helping to advocate for individuals with disabilities, accompanied by her guide dog, Marli. Hailey holds a Master of Business
Administration degree with a focus on data analytics from the University of West Florida.

Presented Spark Creations: Unleash the Innovators Within You

Presented Spark Creations: Unleash the Innovators Within You

Justin is a business integration manager with consumer insights (CIMA), where he works in survey methodology, data management and data visualization.

Prior to Disney, Justin worked in rotating digital marketing roles in Sydney, Australia and Seoul, Korea. Once in Orlando, he served as a product analyst in ecommerce, then in project management for pharmaceutical research.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University.

Presented Turning Data Inside Out: Creating Core Memories

Kerri Bair is the director of customer experience and commercial intelligence at Walt Disney World Resort. She leads a team that focuses on improving the customer experience while leveraging data science and analytics to address emerging trends, assess business performance and influence commercial activations. Kerri has spent 20 years in the data analytics space and has led multiple teams including industrial engineering, supply chain transformation and food and beverage business insights. Before Disney she worked for Ingersoll-Rand as a supply chain engineer. Kerri holds a degree in industrial engineering from Penn State University.

Presented Spark Creations: Unleash the Innovators Within You

Kevin began his Disney career in August 2021 as a research systems manager in consumer insights (CIMA). Prior to joining Disney, he spent 16+ years as a healthcare leader driving analytic innovation, research education and storytelling with data and an adjunct professor teaching research methodology and statistics. He has co-authored three textbooks and published 25+ peer reviewed journal articles. He holds a PhD in Applied Organizational Psychology from Hofstra University.

Presented Turning Data Inside Out: Creating Core Memories

Laura Albert is a professor of industrial and systems engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the 2023 president of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS). She has been recognized with many honors, including the INFORMS Impact Prize, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) Fellow and a Fulbright Award. She is the author of the analytics blog, "Punk Rock Operations Research."

Presented The Beauty and Challenge of Pushing the Limits of Data Analytics

As senior manager of business insights and analytics at National Geographic, Lauren Boyer drives data-based decision-making for the organization's subscription business, including editorial and marketing efforts. Lauren started at National Geographic in 2017, initially spearheading social media intelligence. As a former newspaper reporter, she's passionate about how data-driven approaches can bolster newsrooms' resilience and sustainability in today's digital landscape. Lauren holds a degree in journalism from Penn State University, where she is currently an adjunct instructor and curriculum contributor for the college of communications.

Presented Free Solo: Summiting the World of Social with National Geographic

Lexi is a revenue management manager for Walt Disney World Resorts. Storytelling has always been at the forefront of her life, and she knew that Disney was the perfect place to combine her analytical skills with her life-long passion for accessibility. She also sits on the leadership team for Enabled FL, which is Walt Disney World’s Business Employee Resource Group that promotes a positive experience for people with disabilities. Lexi holds a master’s degree in analytics from Villanova University as well as a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the State University of New York at Binghamton.

Presented Accessibility in Analytics

As the senior vice president and head of content planning and analysis for direct-to-consumer at Disney Entertainment, Nick leads the team responsible for planning the best-in-class storytelling created across The Walt Disney Company.

Grounded in data-driven decision making, Nick’s team collaborates with key partners across Walt Disney Studios and Disney Entertainment Television to plan the streaming releases across all platforms; including determining financial viability, identifying target audiences and more.

Nick has been with The Walt Disney Company for 17 years on various analytics, strategy and business planning roles for Walt Disney Studios prior to working in Direct-to-Consumer.

Presented How Far We'll Go! How Streaming Measures Franchise Success

Dr. Sam L. Savage is executive director of ProbabilityManagement.org, a nonprofit cofounded with Harry Markowitz, Nobel Laureate in Economics, to pioneer stochastic data standards. Dr. Savage is author of, "The Flaw of Averages: Why We Underestimate Risk in the Face of Uncertainty," and, "Chancification: Fixing the Flaw of Averages." He invented the Stochastic Information Packet (SIP), the basic building block of stochastic data, and is an adjunct at Stanford’s Engineering School.

Presented Curing the Flaw of Averages by Connecting Decision Makers to Stochastic Data (Without Triggering Post Traumatic Statistics Disorder)

As National Geographic’s digital marketing senior analyst, Sara Shapiro supports the tracking and measurement of the subscription business’s marketing efforts across paid and O&O channels. As a passionate marketer, she is focused on continually improving the ‘art’ of marketing through the ‘science’ of analysis, by providing strategic insights around performance and digging deep into the conversion funnel to uncover optimization areas. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from the University of South Carolina.

Presented Free Solo: Summiting the World of Social with National Geographic

Professor Grushka-Cockayne's research and teaching activities focus on data science, artificial intelligence, forecasting, project management and behavioral decision-making. She is an award-winning teacher. She is the president of INFORMS’ Decision Analysis Society. She served an associate editor at Management Science and is currently an associate editor at Operation Research. Her course, "Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management," MOOC has over 300,000 enrolled, across 200 countries. Her Data Science for Business HarvardX course has taught hundreds of learners around the world.

Presented Decision Making with Ordinal Ratings