2024 NCDS Spring Career Panel Analyzing Data Science Careers – Are you career ready?

You don’t want to miss these data science professionals who provide insight into what it takes to capture the attention of top recruiters in data science and data analytics. Our panelists represent a variety of career stages (a former high school teacher! a Practice Lead and Hollywood script consultant!) and they are ready to discuss what it takes to set yourself apart as you launch your career search.

Join us to learn more about:

• • What programming languages are in demand now
  • Unexpected ways to promote your experience
  • What experiences you should gain early in your career

Moderator: Wing Chan, Senior Vice President, Global Risk Management, Bank of America

Register for the Event

Panelists include:

• Paige Spell | Data Scientist at Elder Research: Paige obtained a bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics at Appalachian State University along with minors in Biology, Statistics, and Computer Science. There, she discovered a passion for working with data to make a difference. Paige developed many technical skills but realized she was only scratching the surface. She then went on to earn a master’s degree in Analytics at NC State University, gaining practical experience in model explainability and using machine learning to analyze complex relational claims data. After graduation, Paige worked as a Data Scientist at Red Hat, Inc. forecasting company revenue and product consumption while engaging C-level executives, impacting prompt hiring decisions and influencing business growth. Looking for more diverse problems and a strong technical team, she decided to join Elder Research Inc almost two years ago.
• Melinda Thielbar | Vice President of Data Science, Practice Lead at Fidelity Investments: Thielbar is a researcher and statistical software developer with over twenty years of industry experience. Her career ranges from statistics education to developing algorithms for commercial software to Hollywood script consulting. She co-founded Research Triangle Analysts, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit focused on education and training for people working in the analytics field in the Raleigh-Durham area. Thielbar currently works as a Practice Lead in Fidelity Investments’ Workplace Investing.
• Rachini Moosavi | Chief Analytics Officer at UNC Health: Rachini Moosavi, MHA, is the Vice President of Enterprise Analytics at UNC Health. She is passionate about empowering people, delivering value, and improving lives. Over her nearly twenty-year career in healthcare, Rachini has served in analytics, clinical, operational, process improvement, and leadership roles. As a recent graduate of the Carnegie Mellon University CDataO Certificate program, Rachini continues to champion and lead data and analytics enablement within her Enterprise Analytics & Data Sciences team and across The Analytics Community at UNC Health, ensuring that healthcare transformation continues to be catalyzed by insights.
• Adam Cottrell | Analytical Consultant at SAS : With more than a decade of experience as a high-performance athletics coach and public educator, Adam is eager to bring his passion for supporting others and a sharp understanding of team dynamics to the data science world. He is driven to understand all types of systems, from the human and societal to the physical and philosophical. This curiosity led him to earning a BS in Physics as well as a Masters in Secondary Science Teaching. As a rowing coach, he instructed athletes of all abilities, aged 12 to 70+, and oversaw the development of many nationally competitive collegiate crews. While coaching, he also worked in the public-school system in several roles across the K-12 spectrum. He hopes to leverage his backgrounds in science, education, and coaching to help bring meaningful insight to a world quickly growing in its need for intelligent, data-driven change.