The latest installment in our Q&A series with women leaders in data features Rosaria Silipo, head of data science evangelism at KNIME. (Read our previous Q&A here.)
Rosaria Silipo, Ph.D., has worked in data analytics and data science for the past 30-plus years. Currently the head of data science evangelism at KNIME (as well as a longtime DATAVERSITY contributor), she holds a doctorate degree in bioengineering and is the author of more than 50 technical publications and several books for data science professionals. Her experience spans a range of application fields, including the Internet of Things (IoT), customer intelligence, financial services, social media, cybersecurity, and automatic speech processing. You can follow Rosaria on LinkedIn and read her data science blog posts here.
What inspired you to choose a career in data?
I started down the data road a long time ago when I was in university. At that time, neural networks were an emerging technology and I was interested in learning more. Of course, you cannot study a new technology without also studying how it compares to previous data technologies, so I deepened my knowledge of other data science algorithms as well. From my thesis on this topic during university studies, I have since continued my journey in data and data techniques with a curious mind. So, what inspired me was interest – I got into data through an interest in new technology.
Favorite female role models or mentors who encouraged you to succeed?
In everybody’s career, there is always a turning point: that one job in that one company that develops your skills and helps you dream big. My turning point was at Nuance Communications some years ago. At that time I was working with Kate Knill (now at the University of Cambridge) and with Cathy Pearl (now UX Lead on Gemini at Google). Kate was my boss, whose leadership shaped my professional mindset and showed me how to make data analytics useful for those outside of data teams. Cathy was a colleague who taught me to stay curious and showed me the value of being persistent in a field that is full of ups and downs. Together, their encouragement and support throughout the years were vital for me to grow professionally.
What has been your biggest challenge in your career so far?
The biggest challenge has been to keep up with everything – the evolution of the field, the decisions made in the company, the technical skills, and the soft skills too. I might sound not very original when I say that, but as a woman it can feel as though you need to have double the knowledge, to be more than always present, and to constantly be at the top in both the technical skills and the soft skills to be considered.
Best advice you’d give to other women aspiring to work in data?
Be curious, keep learning, keep applying. Your experience is the best teacher in the field.
Where do you see the future of women in data?
The times have already started to change and I see many more women in charge of data science departments than in the past. However, I still hope that more and more women will take on the responsibility to lead them. After all, there are data science departments in every company – one of them might be your data lab someday.
Did you know? We are producing our second Women in Data Management and Governance program at December’s DGIQ East. Sign up for our Women in Data Management and Governance newsletter for the latest updates.