Business Analytics Day Highlights AI, Mentorship, and Real-World Impact
Exploring Business Analytics Day: A Deep Dive into Data-Driven Innovation
The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business recently hosted its annual Business Analytics Day on March 27. This event gathered students, faculty, and industry experts to explore the transformative role of data in various sectors, particularly through Artificial Intelligence (AI). The overarching theme for this year was “Ignite the Future: AI in Action, Powered by Mentorship,” which reflected the event’s emphasis on mentorship and collaboration.
Workshops and Panels: Engaging Discussions
Women in Business Analytics
The day kicked off with a panel dedicated to promoting women in analytics. The conversation centered on how mentorship can cultivate inclusive teams and empower women to rise to leadership positions in data-driven environments.
Key Panelists Include:
- Gayle Bieler – Senior Director, Center for Data Science and AI, RTI International
- Grace Chadwick – COO, Crumbl Cookies
- Magdaline Frank – Director of Data Science at Hanes Brands Inc.
- Rachyl Jackson – Media Director and Co-founder, FireTeam
This panel highlighted the importance of not just having mentors but also sponsors who can advocate for women’s careers during key opportunities.
The Role of AI in Healthcare Analytics
Another panel focused on the impact of AI in healthcare analytics. Healthcare executives discussed how artificial intelligence can enhance patient care, improve diagnostics, and streamline administrative processes.
Panelists Included:
- Dr. Chris DeRienzo – Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Executive, American Hospital Association
- Stephen Blackwelder – Executive Director, Technology Partnerships, Duke Health
- Preston Hammock – Regional President, Cone Health
They underscored the necessity of maintaining data integrity and security in clinical settings, emphasizing patient safety as a top priority.
AI Governance and Cybersecurity
A final panel addressed AI governance and cybersecurity. Experts agreed that rapid advancements in technology create a need for comprehensive oversight to ensure security and adaptability.
Panelists Featured:
- Brad Manganello – Chief Administrative Officer, Citi
- John Wimmer – Former CIO, Xanterra Parks & Resorts
- Jason Smith – Senior Incident Response Analyst, DeepSeas
They advocated for frameworks that protect sensitive data while allowing companies to remain agile and innovative.
The Hanes Brands Challenge: Student Innovation
The day concluded with the Hanes Brands Challenge, an engaging competition where student teams presented innovative AI-based solutions for product development, marketing, and supply chain efficiency. Teams demonstrated their creativity and analytical skills by proposing ideas that ranged from consumer quizzes for real-time feedback to advanced models predicting fashion trends.
Winning Ideas:
- First Place: “Number Ninjas” – A team that developed the “Hanes Style Index,” a scoring model assessing trend velocity, consumer sentiment, and durability of clothing trends.
- Second Place: “BBIA Headquarters” – Focused on employing social listening tools alongside competitor research to strengthen Hanes Brands’ market positioning.
- Third Place: “Data Diggers” – Proposed a personalized strategy utilizing AI to create tailored apparel concepts backed by targeted advertising based on user insights.
Workshops on AI Integration
Beyond panels, the event included workshops facilitated by:
- Mustafa Akben – Assistant Professor of Management, discussed generative AI and related tools.
- Haya Ajjan – Guided sessions on job searching and early-career mentorship.
Through these sessions, participants gained hands-on experience and insights into the latest developments in AI and analytics.
Haya Ajjan, Associate Dean, remarked on the event saying, "This year’s Business Analytics Day clearly showed how mentorship and AI innovation go hand in hand,” reflecting the event’s dedication to experiential learning.
With a blend of expert panels, engaging competitions, and valuable workshops, Business Analytics Day served as a powerful platform for fostering collaboration and innovation in the realm of analytics, emphasizing the critical role of mentorship in shaping the future of data-driven careers.
