I am a Lead Analyst in National Grid’s Governance & Assurance team, supporting major capital projects across New England. While my career path into data has been unconventional, I’ve discovered that data sits at the heart of nearly every business challenge and opportunity.

My work focuses on using data, technology, and AI to improve how projects are governed and delivered. Over the past year, I’ve been heavily involved in advancing lessons learned initiatives, evolving digital solutions, and helping develop AI-enabled tools that support project teams through key delivery milestones. These efforts are helping transform large volumes of information into practical insights that drive better decision-making and project outcomes.

As a woman working in a space increasingly shaped by data and AI, I’m passionate about making technology approachable and demonstrating how data can create value beyond traditional analytics roles. I believe diverse perspectives are essential to innovation, and I’m excited to be part of a growing community that supports, empowers, and amplifies women in data.

Breaking barriers as the first Technical Analyst in Account Maintenance & Operations, I joined National Grid in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics and a Master’s degree in Data Analytics as part of the inaugural cohort at Clarkson University, a once all male college. Through determination, technical expertise, and a little glass ceiling breaking, I advanced to a Lead Data Analyst role where I transform complex data into strategic insights. By leveraging automation, analytics, data modelling, visualisation, and advanced reporting, I enable data-driven decision-making, improve operational performance, and deliver meaningful outcomes for both employees and customers.

I believe the most impactful innovations are those that solve challenges that improve lives today while building a more sustainable future for tomorrow. Driven by the power of data and AI, I have a proven track record of developing solutions that enhance decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and support the transition to a more resilient and sustainable energy system.

I strongly advocate for diversity in technology and am passionate about the role women play in shaping the future of data and AI. I actively support the development of aspiring data professionals and champion greater representation across the industry through mentoring, community engagement, and thought leadership. I share my expertise through keynote presentations and industry panels, helping to inspire the next generation of technology leaders. My contributions have been recognised through awards, including the DataIQ Award for Environmental, Social and Governance and The Data Gals’ Tech for Good award.

I combine my passion for AI with a love of learning and exploration. I run a newsletter on the latest developments in artificial intelligence researched and written entirely by AI agents, which has more than 1,000 subscribers, When I’m away from the screen, I love exploring and hiking in the countryside.

Coming from a diverse background, I have always enjoyed working with people from different cultures who have varying experiences and perspectives. One of the reasons I am passionate about data is that it provides a common language. It helps us move beyond assumptions and opinions and towards evidence, creating understanding where there may otherwise be barriers.

As an Innovation Project Manager at National Grid, I use data every day to identify opportunities, challenge conventional thinking, prioritise investments and measure the impact innovation delivers. Data empowers me to ask difficult questions, influence strategic decisions and ensure that ideas are judged on their value rather than who presents them.

As a woman in this space, data has been particularly empowering. It has given weight to my voice, allowing me to engage confidently with senior leaders and contribute meaningfully to complex discussions. My approach is always people-first. I believe data is most powerful when it helps people learn, grow and create positive change together.

I am a data innovation leader passionate about using data to solve real-world challenges, creating meaningful outcomes for organisations and society. My experience spans data strategy, innovation, analytics, and transformation, where I’ve helped large organisations unlock the value of data and emerging technologies to drive informed decision-making and de-risk investments.

As a woman working in the data community, I’m committed to creating inclusive environments where diverse perspectives are valued and people feel empowered to contribute, challenge, and continue learning. I believe innovation happens when people with different experiences and expertise come together to solve problems collaboratively.

What excites me most about working in data is its ability to reveal stories and insights that are not always immediately obvious. I enjoy exploring data from different angles, uncovering patterns that may go missed, and using evidence to help people make informed decisions and drive new, innovative opportunities. I am also passionate about supporting others on their data career journeys, particularly women and underrepresented groups. Through initiatives including Black Women into Tech, reverse mentoring senior leaders on gender and LGBTQ+ inclusion, mutual mentoring, and championing graduate placements, I actively work to open doors and create opportunities for the next generation of data professionals.

My driving force is using data and mathematics to help people. I hold a PhD in Applied Mathematics and spent eight years researching the Mathematics of Healthcare, using brain scan data to understand neurological disorders. My speciality is time series data analysis and modelling on networks. In my late 30s I made a career change to become a Data Scientist at National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) working to help the UK move to a cleaner electricity system and deliver for our customers. I started at the bottom and worked my way up to Lead Data Scientist, where I now lead a team of six, manage our cloud ML and AI platform, and develop AI agents and models to improve forecasting and processes to enable data-driven decision making.

Throughout my career I’ve often been one of the only woman in the team. I actively seek out opportunities to engage with and support women in the field. I co-led the Women in National Grid employee support group and now lead our partnership with Women in Data, enabling women across the company to benefit from this incredible community.

Education: BSc Geography

https://www.linkedin.com/in/siobhan-waldron-ab6a97270/

Talk about a squiggly career! Upon leaving university I went travelling around the world for a year, upon returning I began an exciting career in the Ministry of Defence. It was here I honed my skills for threat intelligence and the collection process. I began to understand the broader threat landscape and the actors that played their part to disrupt our way of life in the UK. 16+ years later, I needed a new challenge and discovered my skill set fit well with the cyber security world.

My role has opened many doors, opportunities, and experiences for my personal and professional growth. Currently, I am responsible for communicating cyber threats across the organisation through data collection and analysis, sustaining a community of practice and developing strategies and policies.

I have a passion for equality, diversity, and inclusion and for being a role-model for women in cyber and data.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-read-0a761936/

Expertise: Building high performing teams that maximise value extraction from data solutions

Education: TOGAF Certified Architect, Oracle Certified Associate, SCRUM Alliance Certified Product Owner.

Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of building and leading data-driven teams across various industries, all with a core focus on leveraging data to deliver tangible business value. I’m a seasoned data leader, with a strong background in data platforms, cloud technology and data strategy. In previous roles, I have led data teams at a major BPO and headed up the data architecture function at a financial services company.

At EDF UK, I have led the EDF UK Customers business migration to AWS/Snowflake and have led numerous large scale data transformation programmes. I promote a less is more tech strategy and am focussed on ROI and driving reusability wherever possible.

I’m deeply committed to driving diversity within tech, which I champion through my involvement in the EDF UK data and tech steering group. I’m fully supportive of initiatives such as early careers programmes that help develop and nurture talent. I passionately believe that the gender disparity in roles such as a tech and engineering needs to be addressed and it’s on all leaders to create a culture and environment where talent can flourish.

In the data landscape, I believe that data is more interconnected than ever and the ability to share data between producers and consumers is vital to drive innovation.  As we advance in this data marketplace era, I’m excited to continue building strategies that use technological transformation to drive real-world impact. And of course, developing talent that enable value to be extracted from data and drive an innovative data culture.

Expertise: Driving AI initiatives into operational business applications
Education: Applied Science, 25 years in data innovation

https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-eszeki/

My adventure into the world of AI began in the mid-90s, pre-internet, as a Geographical Information Systems Analyst for the Australian Government. I quickly realized the immense value of data accuracy and cleanliness. Hungry for more challenges, I moved into the vibrant world of publishing at Lonely Planet Publications. Here, I understood the critical importance of project deliveries, cost efficiency vs. accuracy and digital publishing, witnessing the dawn of Google Maps and its transformative effect on the industry where I learnt that I would, where possible need to be at the forefront of data technology. Fuelled by my passion for exploration, I sold everything and travelled the world, eventually landing in the UK. My freelancing days were filled with diverse data projects, sharpening my skills and expanding my horizons. I found a home at Kimberly Clark Professional, where I turned raw data into actionable insights and honed my data engineering skills. This marked my first foray into data science, developing predictive churn models, stunning data visualizations, and natural language sentiment models. These experiences laid the groundwork for building digital marketing insights and eventually leading the data team. Recognizing the impact of ML and AI seven years ago, I transitioned to a small startup, honing my data and AI skills while leading projects and teams, especially in NLP. This path led me to EDF, where I initially served as a consultant before becoming a full-time member in the EDF Blue Lab incubator as an AI Lead. Today, I am at the helm, driving AI innovation to operational scale deployments. I oversee strategy, governance, and the responsible deployment of AI, working alongside my talented award-winning team. With a profound understanding of AI technologies and strong management abilities, I ensure foster innovation within my team. My commitment to responsible AI practices upholds transparency and ethical standards in every initiative and support EDF in understanding AI Governance practices building their AI strategic future. With over 25 years of experience working with data, my leadership and passion for advancing AI technologies empower EDF UK to achieve extraordinary results, enhancing sustainability and operational efficiency. I take pride in contributing to a culture of excellence and responsibility, shaping the future of energy innovation.