2019 Strategy Track - Mai AlOwaish

I am a storyteller. I help purpose driven brands share their story through video marketing. For the WIA, I run the AV side of the event.

Matthew is a rising Junior studying Data Analytics in the Honors program at The Ohio State University, with a minor in Critical & Cultural Theory. He has experience with analytics in the non-profit and startup consulting space, with a passion for approaching problems with empathy and a humanities mindset regardless of scale. In his free time, Matthew enjoys rock climbing and volunteering for causes advocating for diversity and inclusion. He is also proud to be on the Executive Board of the Big Data and Analytics Association at OSU. He is excited to be one small part of this empowering community and learn from everyone who makes the WIA conference such a memorable experience.

Ariadna is a Data Scientist and Applied Micro-economist with a PhD from The Ohio State University. Her current work involves creating statistical and mathematical models to optimize marketing strategies, predict behavior, and reduce risk exposure. Her skillset includes econometric analysis, big data analysis, data management, and business intelligence. Ariadna specialized in the fields of Development, Regional, and Agricultural Economics during her PhD studies, and in Finance and Microfinance during her Master’s program. Through her work at the Battelle Center for Science and Technology and through the research for her dissertation, she gained experience in geospatial analysis and remote sensing data analysis. She has several years of industry experience including economic analysis and financial research work for Mexico’s Central Bank (Banco de México), the microfinance program of the Ministry of Economy in Mexico (PRONAFIM), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Kelly Woods is from Dayton, OH and lives with her husband and dog. Kelly earned a Business/MIS degree from Ohio University, an MBA from Franklin University and has 20 years of IT experience in Columbus, OH.

Resourceful, high energy analytics professional with 11 years of experience leading a team through challenge and change by implementing strategic planning, establishing direction and executing initiatives in support of business objectives and corporate goals. Strategic problem-solver with proven ability managing benefits initiatives aimed at bottom-line results.

Brian uses data to help organizations make better decisions, through a background in analytics and a consultative mindset.

Jenna graduated from The Ohio State University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering specializing in Data Analytics. Through OSU’s Honors Integrated Business and Engineering Program, she completed a project with CERN’s Knowledge Transfer Program in Geneva, Switzerland. Jenna currently works at LBrands as a developer for the Data Services team. In her free time, Jenna enjoys reading, traveling, and backpacking.

Abby Hammond is an Epidemiologist in the Data Analytics and Research team at the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). At DODD, Abby focuses on ongoing reporting and projects. Some of her work includes helping with the Making Lives Better Project, QuickStats, “Opoiod Overdoses Among Individuals Served By DODD”, “Septicemia Among Individuals Served By DODD”, “Serving Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in Rural Ohio”, and more. Abby received her BSPH with a concentration in Sociology and her MPH in Epidemiology from The Ohio State University. Outside of work, Abby enjoys spending time with her labradoodle Duke, and managing “Meal Prep School”, and Instagram and Facebook page dedicated meal planning and kitchen hacks. is an Epidemiologist in the Data Analytics and Research team at the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). At DODD, Abby focuses on ongoing reporting and projects. Some of her work includes helping with the Making Lives Better Project, QuickStats, “Opoiod Overdoses Among Individuals Served By DODD”, “Septicemia Among Individuals Served By DODD”, “Serving Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in Rural Ohio”, and more. Abby received her BSPH with a concentration in Sociology and her MPH in Epidemiology from The Ohio State University. Outside of work, Abby enjoys spending time with her labradoodle Duke, and managing “Meal Prep School”, and Instagram and Facebook page dedicated meal planning and kitchen hacks.

During the workday, I am a Data Analytics Manager for a retail company, Title Nine, which sells women’s athletic wear. And on the side, I volunteer as the Executive Director at a non-profit, Parangal Dance Company, a Filipino folk dance company. In both companies, I get to use my skills in data and management while enjoying my love for outdoor activities and dance. I am looking forward to volunteering for the WIA Conference and being a bigger part of this great community. I am based out of the San Francisco Bay Area and I hope to make many new friends and contacts while making myself a useful resource for others.

Mai Alowaish is a Lead Analytics Consultant at InfoTrust LLC based in Blue Ash, Ohio. Mai is an advocate of supporting and empowering the women in analytics and tech overall. Mai is a mentor at the Digital Analytics Association, and a previous speaker at the WIA2019. Mai is also a volunteer in the Tech Corps Analytics Program and OSU’s Women in Data Science Summer Camp, as she’s passionate about helping the youth get into STEM and learn about data.

Deneisha is an ambitious, young professional who is passionate about executing solutions aimed towards incorporating change. She is dedicated to spending her time on activities that positively impact those around her. Deneisha is a Business Intelligence Analyst at The Wendy’s Company and serves on the leadership team for two Wendy’s Employee Networks. Prior to joining Wendy’s, she helped over 40 technologists further their careers as an IT recruiter. Deneisha is an Ohio University Alum and enjoys integrating her Sociological background with the tech industry, which fuels her passion for driving the importance of Diversity and Inclusion in Corporate America. Deneisha is also a founding member of the local, Columbus organization, #BlackTech614. Outside of working, she enjoys dancing, writing, and booking spontaneous trips on Skyscanner.

Sara is excited to be coming back for her second year on the committee for the 2020 Women in Analytics Conference. She is currently an Analyst in Finance Operations at Cardinal Health and has many years of experience in insurance claims and fraud analytics, where she began her journey with data. In her personal time, Sara enjoys running, dancing and reading and will take advantage of any opportunity that will put her near the ocean.

Jake is a Senior Insights Analyst at Express focused on omni-channel operations, store initiative testing, and consumer research and insights. Prior to joining Express, he developed his insights and analytics experience across multiple industries, including Fashion Retail, CPG, Government, Nonprofit, and SaaS. Jake is passionate about data visualization and enjoys teaching various analysis, visualization platforms, and methodologies including data storytelling, visualization, Tableau, advanced Excel/Power Query/VBA, SQL, and Microstrategy Dossier. Outside of work, Jake spends his time raising two curious kids, volunteering for political campaigns and organizations, and producing short films with his best friends.

Sahanna Bhatt is a clinical informatics analyst on the Population Health Analytics team at OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio. As a population health data analyst, she is passionate about improving healthcare delivery and outcomes through technology. At OhioHealth, Sahanna delivers analytic solutions for business and healthcare clients across the enterprise. Prior to joining OhioHealth, Sahanna consulted for Booz Allen Hamilton, in Norfolk, Virginia, where she supported the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center as a clinical epidemiologist. Her educational background includes a Masters of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology from Columbia University (with a graduate certificate in infectious disease epidemiology) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Environmental Public Health from The Ohio State University. She is currently working towards a Masters of Science (MS) in Data Science (with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence) from Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies.

Jen Heider is part of the Data & Analytics team at Huntington National Bank. After graduating as the pilot student for the OSU BS Industrial and Systems Engineering Data and Analytics track, she began her career as a data science consultant at IBM, where she built her data science skills on projects across multiple industries. She then went on to work as a Data Scientist at Express. Jen is currently pursuing her MS in the ISE Data and Analytics track at OSU part-time while working for Huntington. In her free time, Jen loves reading, running, and outdoor activities of all kinds.

Katie Sasso-Schafer, Ph.D. is a Data Scientist at the Columbus Collaboratory. Katie received her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University with a focus on Experimental and Quantitative (minor) Psychology. During her Ph.D. program she worked as a graduate research associate at the Nationwide Insurance Center for Advanced Customer Insights, using experimental methods and statistical analyses to optimize customer outreach and develop novel risk assessment strategies. At the Columbus Collaboratory, Katie works on a variety of data science projects across several industries. She also enjoys leading Use Case Discovery Workshops and managing project progress across the team. Outside of work, Katie is an avid R user and co-organizer of R-Ladies Columbus meet up. She has been a member of the WIA team member since 2017 with a focus on content and speaker curation.

Lauren Burke is a Data Scientist at Abercrombie & Fitch who loves finding creative solutions to complicated problems. She graduated in 2017 from The College of Wooster with a Bachelor’s in Mathematics. At Wooster, Lauren completed a Senior Thesis investigating machine learning heuristics as solution techniques to a large-scale Traveling Salesman Problem. Lauren is passionate about initiatives that promote women and girls in STEM, currently serves on the COSI YP Board and as an advisor for #BUILTBYGIRLS, and enjoys reading, hiking, rock climbing in her free time.

Rehgan graduated from The Ohio State University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering specializing in Data Analytics. She has taught Introduction to Data Science courses to MBA students across the US. During her time at is the Product Manager at Open Data Group. At OSU, she launched the Big Data and Analytics Association and hosted the inaugural Women in Analytics Conference in order to showcase women doing amazing things in the analytics space. Outside of work, Rehgan enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and hiking.

📝 #CallForSpeakers: Women in Analytics Conference 2020! Share your #analytics, #datascience, #machinelearning, & #AI expertise. #WIA2020

We cover travel/accommodation, provide speaker coaching, free conf pass, professional video recording, & more!

2019 Strategy Track – Mai AlOwaish

Mai AlOwaish

Analytics Consultant Blast Analytics & Marketing

Strategy Track Panelist – Data Science Adoption: Bringing Insights to the Business

Analytics Consultant
Blast Analytics & Marketing