Maria Patrakova, a data professional with over 20 years of experience, discusses her journey in the data and engineering field, her work with startups, and the challenges and opportunities in the industry.

She talks through her experience adopting fractional leadership and splitting her time between different start ups to lead data engineering functions.

She emphasises the importance of data quality and the role of AI in improving it. Maria also shares her experiences as a woman in the technology space and the need for diverse role models.

She provides insights into building effective data teams and the key strategies for leadership.

Takeaways:

• Data quality is still a challenge in the industry, and high-quality diverse data sets are essential for training AI models.
• Flexibility and fractional leadership can provide opportunities for work-life balance and access to expertise for startups.
• Effective leadership strategies include aligning teams with business goals, empowering team members, and maintaining open communication.
• The technology landscape is evolving, with advancements in AI, natural language processing, and data sharing.
• Diversity in the technology space is crucial, and diverse role models can inspire and encourage others to pursue careers in the field.

You can connect with Maria on LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/maria-patrakova-81a36122

Follow Adam on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amasseyadam

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:25 Working with Multiple Startups

06:44 Challenges in Enterprise and Startup Environments

10:31 The Importance of Diversity in Tech

14:05 Balancing Work and Personal Life

19:05 The Future of Data Analytics and AI

22:04 The Role of AI in Improving Data Quality

25:21 Inviting Startup Owners to Connect