Kalina specialises in recruiting data, analytics and cloud professionals into the data market.
She is also the founder of WomenWiseData, a community aiming to encourage and support women in data careers, backed by Investigo.
In an era where data is the driving force of decision-making across industries, the role of data leadership is fundamental.
Among these leaders, women are breaking down barriers and setting new standards for the next generation of data leaders.
A great female data leader embodies a unique skill set, combining key attributes of technical expertise and leadership skills to foster an inclusive environment.
Research from the Alan Turing Institute in 2022 highlighted that only 22 per cent of UK data and AI professionals were women. Being a data leader is one thing, but being an exceptional female data leader in an industry that’s dominated by men is something that requires an undeniable readiness to thrive within the industry.
The ‘team’ approach
Collaboration within any team is key, and honing in on everyone’s unique skillset will unsure vital productivity. Data leaders need to understand that each employee will bring something different to the table, and embracing this will unlock new business strategies and solutions to challenges. Within data science and analytics, problem-solving is critical, and encouraging a collaborative approach will drive better and more resourceful outcomes.
Every day is a school day
A deep understanding of data science, analytics and technology forms the foundation of a great data leader, and with the rapidly evolving data landscape, there’s always an opportunity to learn.
Female data leaders should lead by example and show confidence in upskilling to expand their toolkit when it comes to applying data and analytics. Knowledge is power and encouraging a team to grow their skills and understanding will push businesses to new levels of success.
Visionary thinking
Great female data leaders always see the bigger picture and are able to translate data insights into actionable strategies that drive innovation. It’s about looking at what’s available and using it to envision the future of data. This requires a deep understanding of the business, its processes and its challenges to leverage data to gain a competitive advantage. A data leader can also get the support of the board by directly tying data practices to revenue generation.
Effective communication
The ability to communicate complex data insights in a clear and compelling manner is crucial to bridging the gap between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders to ensure there’s a unified workforce.
While roles and tasks may differ, it’s essential that female data leaders ensure every worker is singing off the same hymn sheet in terms of company ethos, in order to strive for the most impactful results.
Effective communication helps a data leader gain the business’s trust, which is key when it comes to managing expectations. If they need to push back a project, for example, their stakeholders will be more understanding and trust them to make the right move. Transparency is key to having a smooth-running business.
Business leader first, data leader second
The fast-paced nature of the tech and data industry requires resilience and adaptability, and the mindset of a business leader. Driving business forward is the goal and embracing the company’s mission and values is essential to build a robust data strategy.
A data leader needs to become an expert in their organisation’s core products and data in general, while keeping an eye on the market and competition to help increase their commerciality and their ability to identify opportunities.
What makes a well-rounded female data leader combines a unique blend of visionary thinking, resilience, technical expertise and empathy. Data leadership is an increasingly important part of the corporate makeup and is enriched by the contributions of exceptional female leaders, something that should continue to be celebrated, moving closer to a more inclusive and innovative future for the data industry.
WomenWiseData is an Investigo sponsored community aiming to support and increase the visibility of women in data. It recently launched its mentoring programme, WomenWise Mentoring, in partnership with global data and AI consultancy Artefact.
