Monetizing Machine Learning - Vin Vashishta

Speaker 0 00:00:10 The goal of data transformers podcast is to accelerate digital transformation by bridging the gap between business outcomes and rapidly advancing technologies. And we aim to bridge this gap by focusing on data. I am Peggy PSI, top 50 women in tech influencer, coauthor of the AI book and data governance expert, and entrepreneur seeing this is our very first episode of data transformers. We thought we would first introduce what this podcast about, talk about ourselves and our data and technology backgrounds, and start diving into the topics that we thought we could explore with our featured guests. Um, going forward were mentioned, I will be inviting data transformers who are actively in the marketplace for transforming tomorrow's and today's digital transformation process. Speaker 1 00:01:12 That's right, Peggy. So thank you. Uh, I'm pretty excited to join, uh, Peggy on this adventurous journey and the people that Peggy talked about are the movers and shakers in the industry. People are, who are looking at the trends and then transforming their own companies and industries. And in addition to the people and, uh, this, uh, movers and shakers, we also want to address the latest trends. Uh, what are the challenges that people are facing in transforming these companies? Speaker 0 00:01:43 That's right. We're mashing, there's so many podcasts out there right now talking already about data and technology. And I think what's really gonna set our podcasts apart, hopefully is the fact that we ourselves have come from deep data and technology background. So I thought we would first talk about, um, interview each other so that everyone in the audience gets to know a little bit more about ourselves and then talk about some of the, the passions we feel strongly about and sort of what we're planning and hoping to do with this podcast journey that we're about to embark on. Speaker 1 00:02:16 All right, let's do it Peggy. So this whole journey started, uh, I've sent you an email actually, even before that we were on a panel and then that's how I came across your bio. And then I was very interested in your professional background. And then I, I said, Peggy, would you be interested in joining me on this, uh, data transformers podcast? And then so everything got aligned. So, and let's get to know a little bit more about you peg Peggy. So what do you currently do? Speaker 0 00:02:48 Sure. Um, so I'm currently the VP of data solutions at bid. And what I work on is data governance for our product. For those of you not familiar with ID, we are data discovery platform focusing on privacy, security and governance. So I've been in this role since January of 2020, and actually throughout the year, I've been doing a lot of webinars and podcasts and talks and really rematch. I mean, what I'm so excited about embarking on this journey with you as well is the fact that I've actually enjoyed, um, talking to other people in the industry. I've had a fantastic time reconnecting with all the people that I used to work with in data and technology, insurance, FinTech, InsureTech. So I find this, um, this was fun opportunity to really be able to continue doing what I love to do, which is talking and connecting with other people in this field. Speaker 1 00:03:51 So you decided to take a plan in 2020, 2020 has been a seminary ear for so many people in so many aspects. And in January of 2020, you said you're going to change. And then within two months, the whole world changed Speaker 0 00:04:06 Exactly. I mean, I don't think anyone for really, first of all, it was going to happen. Um, in 2019, I knew that I needed, I wanted to make a change. Um, uh, prior to joining big ID, I spent about 18 years in the financial services industry where I was really a hands-on data governance practitioner I've done. Uh, my previous roles were at Morgan Stanley wealth management, where I helped run the data governance program. And I did various things like supporting our data analytics and science teams, um, just really things around data standardizations, um, building up a data stewardship program. So really hands-on program management, but also, um, enabling a stronger data culture at Morgan Stanley wealth management. Um, and prior to that, I was at AIG, it's an insurance company where I worked on projects for, um, for Europe when we had GDPR rolling out in 2016, 2017, just many really hands-on data governance, uh, activities as a program lead. Uh, so it's been really fun, exciting, but now it's also fun and exciting to be on the complete opposite side. Whereas now on a product side, uh, I'm helping to build solutions that I myself definitely wanted and crate for as a data management professional. So, you know, 2020 is really the epitome of change for myself personally and also, you know, for the world. I, you can tell yeah. Speaker 1 00:05:45 To a large extent, right. So a lot of transformation there. So it's interesting. So you are on the side where you are implementing programs and 2020, you switched a side where now you're exhorting, you are motivating, inspiring other companies, uh, to implement this data driven program. Speaker 0 00:06:06 Well, certainly, um, that's my goal, hopefully, to motivate and encourage companies to take on a more AI first approach to data management. Um, but certainly I understand, um, I've been in their shoes. I know what sort of, um, issues are facing with, within a corporation. I know how hard it is to, um, to get funding, to rally a team, to come together, to consensus for, um, implementing a data strategy. So I've gone through those struggles firsthand. I know what it feels like. I know the highs and lows that's really involved being in, working at several financial services companies. So being on the other side now, again, I can definitely relate to, um, to what their struggles are, but hopefully, um, I can also convince them that the time to change, to time to improve their technology, to time to embrace the AI machine learning technology around data. I mean, the time is now otherwise. Um, there are so many other companies across many industries that are already embracing AI machine learning that anyone who does not start, um, embracing and implementing these changes will just be left on the, on the wayside. Speaker 1 00:07:34 So Peggy, let me, uh, so 18 years is very deep expertise. I mean, you, you've probably covered lots of financial areas, but how do you actually get started, uh, out of college, you just got into a job that required you to look at data. It, can you talk a little bit about your start? Speaker 0 00:07:52 Sure. So, um, well I actually graduated from Cornell university with a undergraduate in economics, so I actually never had a passion. I didn't really know what I was doing. Um, actually it's funny story. I graduated in 2001. For those of you who've been around long enough, you'll know what happened in 2001, there's the technology bubble burst. Um, so a lot of the, the job offers the companies that we all aspire to work with, especially as an economics major, you know, working in investment banking and consulting, all those offers suddenly disappeared within the math one. So it was a big change for, Speaker 1 00:08:36 He decided to make a change in, in the most critical years, 2001, 2020, when we keep going, Speaker 0 00:08:43 It's just, it's just very, very bad, very bad timing, but I think, you know, those challenges actually are what shaped me. Um, I'm, you know, I'm grateful for, for the perseverance I had to go through. It's very beginning of my career. I had to really hustle to, to find, uh, a first job out of college that, um, it was in my field. I know a lot of my, um, classmates, you know, ended up working at Starbucks or just in a career that they did not anticipate, especially coming from an Ivy league school. So certainly was a tough challenge for, for that generation. Um, but, but you know what I wanted to explore, you know, this is what I really encourage. Um, anyone coming out of school these days is, you know, don't be completely set on, um, a specific career. Um, it's good to always have that learning and broad change mode because that's really going to help you build resiliency in, in your career. So, and to build a long fruitful career, hopefully, and I'm only in the middle of my journey. So I'm really excited about what, where I've come from, you know, the last 18 years, um, working in being, being really lucky as well, working in, um, top-notch companies. Um, my first foray into data was really when I started at S and P global, Speaker 1 00:10:16 Actually, I, wasn't going to ask you that, how did you get into the data side? So, uh, so how did the transition happen? I mean, the job came through on the, you took it or you went after the job. Uh, can you talk a little bit about that? Speaker 0 00:10:28 Um, so I've been really lucky. I think one career tip, if I could give that right now on this podcast is to always continue networking and, um, uh, building your network of people. So, um, I always been a big proponent of LinkedIn and Twitter to connect with and build out my network. And I think certainly Remesh, that's how we certainly stayed in touch. Um, and it turned out that a recruiter, um, reached out to me, um, through LinkedIn and about this, uh, fantastic job at SMP where I literally spent nine years building out my data foundation, learning about all these data skills. It's, it's really all coming from this long piece of time that I spent at S and P. Speaker 1 00:11:19 Wow, that's fantastic. So Peggy, I mean, I, as we go through more episodes, I, um, I would really like to know more about you and just for the audience it's, it's, uh, I don't know much about Peggy's background, so I'm learning some things real time, so I I'm fascinated, um, to dig more into it. So that is a fantastic introduction. So now you're here and then you're starting this podcast journey, and then we'll talk more later on about the trends and challenges that you see, but that's a fantastic introduction. Thank you. They could rematch. Speaker 0 00:11:54 And now let's turn the tables on to answer you. I mean, I think the audience would also love to hear more about yourself and how you got started. And I know when we first started, um, you, you're also a data transformer because you've transitioned from, you know, your early start and your career until where you are now. So maybe, um, for, for the audience, we can talk, um, we could share, uh, what, what was your first role out of, out of school? Tell me what, what you studied and, um, what were you like? Speaker 1 00:12:30 So actually, so I have a, um, interesting journey as well, which is just for the record. So I, I graduated from college, uh, in India, in mechanical engineering. And then afterwards I did the right away, my master's in industrial engineering. And the funny piece of it, I have not worked in either one of those fields, even for one day, Speaker 0 00:12:51 Right? Speaker 1 00:12:53 So neither mechanical engineering, but it set the right foundation, right? It, it helps you think, uh, you know, solve problems and all that good stuff. So I joined, uh, mountain national company, uh, in India as a systems analyst, uh, the program analyst systems analyst, and then the software that we developed, uh, we were selling into Europe and us, and then, uh, to sell, to market the software and actually to support the software. First, I went to Spain and then spent some time there. And afterwards I landed in the U S so that was the transition there. And then after working for some time, I'm one of those people I need to constantly learn. Right. And then my, one of my dream is always to do my MBA. And then when I came to the U S uh, there was a time afterwards, I got an opportunity. Speaker 1 00:13:42 So I, I left my job, um, completely and then went for a full time MBA. So I graduated from Duke university's Fuqua school of business. And then after the MBA, I switched to marketing and slash, uh, strategies slash program management. So I was predominantly on the business side, but always looking at technology how best we can, um, use the technology towards the business goals. So I joined a larger semi-conductors basically into the corporation. I was there, uh, for quite some time, 18 plus years, but in various roles, right? So I'm, I'm one of those people, which is, uh, in a bull narrowband where after every three years I have to switch, I have to learn. Otherwise I get Speaker 0 00:14:32 Exactly every couple of years, even when I stayed at S and P for nine years, every couple of years, I had a new role, a new project to take on. Yeah, Speaker 1 00:14:43 It's a good that such a large company provides you so many opportunities. Otherwise I had to switch companies, right? So there came point where one of my mentors was telling me, I mentioned, maybe you're switching your positions too soon. Right? First year they said, you are just trying to learn the job. And second year is now, you know, the area and third year is where you're actually trying to, uh, you know, make changes and impact the organization. And if you leave right after the third year, you may not have enough time to really make sure that the change has happened. So that's why one of the last roles I had was four, five, six, seven years kind of stuff. And then I was getting bored right. By the time. Anyway. So after that, um, that's tint, I decided to take, um, and I wanted to do passion projects, things I really liked doing. Speaker 1 00:15:35 So I quit. And then I took the plunge into entrepreneurship. And that is when, because there was so much revolution happening outside Peggy. Um, the data analytics is just exploding. New technologies like artificial intelligence is just, you know, coming on the horizon, people are spending a lot of money on this one, so I wanted to take part in it. So I started a data strategy consulting company called digital transformation, pro.com. And then that is how I really dug myself into learning about these areas and then speaking about them and then underwriting. Right. And, and then the side also, I was, uh, getting my feet wet in multiple startups, uh, different kinds of startups, right. So we started a healthcare software, software's a service business, a SAS business. Right. So, and then, uh, I'm one of those people I want to learn, as I said, right. By talking to people. So I started a podcast called agile entrepreneurship podcast in 2019, and then I kept talking entrepreneurs and then I took those learnings and then put them into a book called the 60 minutes startup. Right. So these are all one project of another product that consulting company, a SAS company, and then a know a podcast. And, and then the books. Right. So that's how I was able to keep myself productive, engaged in a nutshell, that is what I've been doing over the last, you know, 20 years or so Speaker 0 00:17:08 That is, that is so fascinating because, um, from, from what I've been hearing, um, you've been able to make all these changes and continue to grow and continue to learn. Um, is there anything that you don't do? I mean, it seems like you've, you've done everything from consulting to writing and speaking. So I'm just curious, like, Speaker 1 00:17:33 Um, it, it's one of those things, right. Which is you do it, and then if you fail at it, that's fine. So all that happened as a fail. Right. So for example, so here we are on this journey together, right. Two complete strangers, couple of months, but we decided to come together towards one cause that there is a, you know, a difference that we can make right. In how people can think about data, how people should look at technology. Right. So if I I'm a hundred percent convinced this is going to be hugely successful, but let's say for whatever reason, it's not in no damage done. Right. So, um, so I think along those lines just do it and in whatever area, and then if it's not successful, that's fine. So you learn something and move on. Speaker 0 00:18:21 I, I completely agree with you. And, um, I think one of the things that brought us together as well is we, we both have strong passions about data and technology. And as I mentioned earlier, having spent 18 years, um, in data, I've sat on both sides of the business. I've sat on the data on the business side, um, the revenue side, I've also sat in the technology side of the business. And I always saw myself as the, bridging the gap right between what the business wanted and wanted as the requirements and then technology not really being able to understand and fully interpret all these requirements. So I enjoyed roles where I sat in the, really in the middle of the two where I was helping to interpret, explain the technology limitations to the business, but also to technology, I was really translating all the business requirements into code, like, uh, requirements so that they can understand and know what to build out. So for me, this is complete, uh, in the Kimberly it makes sense because there needs to be more people that understand and con and fill this gap. That's the Chisholm that separates between business and technology in many organizations. Speaker 1 00:19:41 Correct. So, so play with that. Let me just switch a little bit, and I wanna understand a little bit more about Peggy PSI, who she is, so on the personal side. Okay. So you, you made a lot of changes and, uh, and then you talked about, uh, networking and all that stuff. So who has been some of the significant influencers of, um, of your career or of your life in general? Speaker 0 00:20:09 Um, that's a good question. Um, so I would say actually, um, my dad has been, was a very big influencer. Um, I think many people grow up not really knowing what their parents do, what their occupation is. Um, and it was funny though, one of the first roles, I, one of the first projects I did at SMP, um, back in the day, I literally used, um, access and Excel and I built databases by hand. Um, I mean, really, I just coded by hand, it was, it was really makeshift, but it proved the point that our, our team won it. So I was building manually these databases and I was actually a data modeler and figuring out all these things. And I remember one day I was coming home and telling my dad what I was doing. And I was talking about, you know, things like primary keys and foreign keys and cars like that and realized that his job, he actually used to work at a bank of New York, um, before it merged with Mellon and job was actually a database auditor. So he did this work for 20, 25 years before he retired, um, doing building of databases. And that was really, um, profound for me because, um, you know, data obviously is grounded in technology and databases, and that was, that's the kind of career that I, you know, ended up, uh, doing. Speaker 1 00:21:41 Hmm. So he definitely influenced your, uh, I think the career in terms of data and without naming names, if you, if you're not uncomfortable, but have there been people actually, sorry, let me just go into this area. Right. So I'm this, I have to address being a woman in a field, what is considered to be dominated by men, right? Ha ha uh, you, your career over a period of careers. So I don't know if you're comfortable talking about it. Have you had more challenges or more opportunities? Are anybody helped you navigate this challenge if you had? Speaker 0 00:22:17 That's a good question. Um, and I actually would love to hear your point of view remastered as well, being a male male in a technology world as well. Um, but I think as a, as a female, um, one, I never thought too much of it, even though I was very cognizant of the fact that, um, you know, I was in a room and there'd be 10 men and just myself. Yeah. Um, but you know, I also had, um, you know, my, in my, what I was working in, in more corporate situations, um, I also felt that one, I was also younger. So I also had to deal with the fact that not only was I, um, a woman, I was Asian, I was fat. I was younger. So I had a little bit of inferiority of blacks, I would say just in terms of not being able to know where I stood, but I think that all that has changed as I've, um, been more confident and my last few roles. Speaker 0 00:23:21 Um, yeah, so I was the only woman, but I felt very confident in, um, the knowledge domain. Um, I felt more comfortable speaking out and certainly, uh, raising issues as needed. Um, but you know what, I also worked in fantastic companies that supported women. So I've always been active in organizations within our company that focused on women and data women in technology. And these are really strong networks for me to build upon, to find good mentors, good sponsors, um, and also being able to, um, identify women leaders that could help, you know, support me or give me a rise. And that really helped me along in my career as well. And that's why I feel obligated to pay it forward to, you know, the current generation of, um, graduate students or, um, people starting out in the career of data governance. I, I always spend time, you know, mentoring, giving advice to, um, to students because I feel that I've received that, um, in the last 20 years. Speaker 0 00:24:33 And I continue to actually to have mentors that I reach out to and advise. So I feel like I've been lucky because I've been able to find the support, but I know definitely is a challenge. Um, and actually one piece of advice, I received a peer of mine, a very successful data executive, um, for an insurance company. And I consider her a peer we're pretty much the same level on those she's certainly, um, resonant her career. And, but one thing she told me was, um, she told me pain do not give up your role, do not give up what you're doing, because even though you don't think you're a successful data professional, there are other women that look up to you, um, because I've achieved a certain like VP status or whatever organization. So I've, I feel that I want, I have to continue trailblazing the way for, for more women to take on more outspoken, uh, more prominent roles in, in data organizations. Um, so I, I, I feel a little bit of a burden to torch with her, but at the same time, I'm very excited as well, because I think it'd be more leaders and, um, and, and diversity in this space as well. Speaker 1 00:25:58 Excellent. Biggest, thank you for sharing. It's personal. I know some, some people may not be comfortable, uh, answer my, uh, you know, uh, from my side on those two angles, right. One is influencers in my life. And then secondly, in terms of, um, the diversity aspect of it, right? So first let me address the, uh, influencers. So for me, it's, it's, uh, I mean, definitely my parents, uh, I mean they inspired me to learn, inspired me to, you know, get education and then that is the, in a way to be successful. Right. So that is, uh, so I I'm, I'm grateful for that, but everyone beyond that, uh, somehow, uh, my classmates, my, my network is the one being the biggest influencers, right. So always relied on whenever I needed something. I was fortunate enough that I had a good network of classmates and people, and even the seniors in colleges and people who have, uh, you know, helped me a lot, um, in, in various aspects. Speaker 1 00:26:58 So there's not a one single person that comes to my mind, but I consider my biggest strength is my network. That's the, uh, in terms of influencers or people I looked up to and, uh, with secondly, with respect to the diversity aspect of it, um, it's interesting that when I started my career, my first manager was a woman, right. And then India. And then afterwards, when I came to the U S my first, uh, actually two levels of the managers were women as well. So it never occurred to me about, uh, this, this aspect of the male to female kind of stuff, until after I left MBA in MBA itself, you start noticing that because the ratio of men to women is definitely is, uh, probably I would say two thirds to one that I'm sure it changed now, but that's probably what it was. Speaker 1 00:27:54 And you come to the technology world, you notice it even more, right. It's a fact in the Silicon Valley, I think a lot of people talk about it and they're trying to do something about it, but, um, it it's there. And then I noticed it even more because I have two daughters, right? So as they were growing, growing up into the middle school and high school, and then the, then I started becoming more aware of this whole role of women in science and technology. And, um, so, but I was blindsided, right. So, because I don't look at it explicitly, I don't notice it, but when it touched me personally with my own kids, then I started becoming more aware of it. I think that it's, it's a challenge. It, that's definitely a gap. And hopefully with your efforts, what you're doing, hopefully with this podcast, uh, we can make small dent in motivating people. And then also having people realize about, you know, what is that they can do Speaker 0 00:28:55 Exactly. And I that's a, that would be a great, um, small, important goal of this podcast as well as to really highlight and showcase, um, different data transformers in, in various industries. And I mentioned the past, I worked in insurance, financial services has mainly been my bread and butter. So certainly, um, people that I see in my network as well, that, um, are making it, making a change Speaker 1 00:29:28 As we end this episode. Peggy. So let's talk about, uh, you know, one thing on the personal, we talked about the personal passion on the personal side, anything that you want to share your hobbies, or, you know, let you want to give viewers and the audience listeners, a glimpse into who Peggy sigh is after she checks out from work. Speaker 0 00:29:50 Oh, w Oh, you said checked out after work. So Speaker 0 00:29:56 I'm constantly working. So, um, so I mean, ever since I've, um, this year 2020 has been a strange year, but, um, you know, I've been really been embracing all the opportunities to connect virtually with my network. So whether I'm still on LinkedIn or Twitter, I'm constantly asking people, what are they doing? What are your passions you feel most important about right now? Because my kind of personality is, um, I love to crowdsource. So I'm constantly, that's why I look to talk to people and really understand their points of view. And, and how do we bring it together? And this podcast is really a great way to showcase it. Um, I've been in, I live in New York, um, New York city. So obviously been in a state of lockdown or quarantine since March of this year. And between juggling, remote learning for my son who is in elementary school and, uh, you know, doing this job, which I love and having all these additional passion projects on the side, and it's really a full time job. Speaker 0 00:31:12 But, um, you know, if you don't see me on a podcast, you can find me virtually online somewhere. Um, so I would think in a nutshell, that's sort of who I am. I'm hopefully I'm open I'm assessable. I love mentoring. I love talking about data. I love sharing about my past experiences. Um, so really, you know, thank you Remesh for this opportunity to give me, give us a platform to, to really share and showcase our passions. Um, our, you know, love for bridging the, you know, it's such a big gap between business and technology and it's such an exciting venture. Um, so, um, really Speaker 1 00:32:01 I agree with you and then let me, yeah, so let me wrap up by talking a little bit about me. Um, and, and this first episode on the kickoff episode. So I don't know if I said it enough, but I'm going to say it one more time. I'm really excited for you. So I'm excited by your background. I'm excited that, uh, you know, we are, co-hosting this podcast I'm on the West coast, so piggy you're on the East coast. So we cover both coasts. That's good. And then definitely. And then, so I have, uh, uh, high school, college, uh, kids, and then your kid boy is just starting the journey. And, um, to some I'm like you, which is that I'm constantly somewhere on social media, something, and there is nothing like, um, I mean, I enjoy my work so much. It's, it's, there's nothing like, okay, I'm done with my work and I'm going to do something else. Speaker 1 00:32:52 Right. So it's, uh, it's this learning thing keeps going. And, but otherwise we just like to go for walks and then like to spend time with friends and, um, you know, uh, write some blogs somewhere and sharing some tidbit. So essentially, uh, but I'm not like a gamer. Like I'm nothing like I, I'm not gaming is not my hobby or any of those kinds of things, but it just mixing of friends and work and then just learning. That's what I do. And then I, uh, the thing that drives me, um, is that I want to connect with people, right? I mean, I'm a people person. So when I walk into a room with people I come alive, so I like to connect with people. I like to talk to people I want to share. I want to learn. That's what thank you for listening to today's episode, if you liked what you heard today and would like to hear more, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite player like iTunes and Spotify. And please do rate our podcast. Also, please go to our website, www.data transformers, podcast.com for more episodes, blogs, and information on our speakers. Thank you. Speaker 2 00:34:16 <inaudible>.