Here are some speakers in WiDS NZ 2024:
Ashleigh Arendt is a Data Scientist with the Social Investment Agency where she makes use of Stats NZ's integrated data infrastructure to understand the needs of vulnerable populations within Aotearoa New Zealand. She has a masters in Astrophysics and previously wrote a paper at VUW utilising deep learning techniques to identify clusters of galaxies that are merging.
Sara Bilal is a Data&AI Specialist who emphasises the importance of innovation in driving growth with a focus on building strong relationships with the customer with the ability to interface and influence at multiple organisational levels to help growth and resolve business challenges using advanced technical solutions. Sara got her PhD in Mechatronics/Robotics with a background in Advanced Math, Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Pattern Recognition. Dr. Sara past experiences include Assistant Professor, Cloud Engineer and Senior Consultant at Deloitte, Senior Solution Architect at District Health Board, and project delivery/engagement with the Mechatronics industry in Malaysia and the cloud computing industry in New Zealand to deliver innovative solutions based on Automation, AI and ML.
Dana Briscoe is a Senior Data Scientist with the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University. With a PhD in Ocean Sciences from the University of California Santa Cruz, her multidisciplinary research focuses on the integration of near real-time ocean intelligence with ML/AI technologies for marine management. She currently leads the research and development of novel data science methodologies using machine learning, image recognition, and innovative approaches to data visualization for climate-ready conservation and management tools.
Kat Greenbrook is the author of The Data Storyteller's Handbook and founder of Rogue Penguin, a data storytelling company in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. With a unique blend of science, business, and design, she empowers data professionals worldwide to communicate data effectively through storytelling.
Rochelle Ellison-Lupena is a Lecturer Maori Health
in the School of Health at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington.
Lynell Tuffery Huria (Indigenous Intellectual Property Lawyer at Kāhui Legal) is passionate about supporting Māori organisations to utilise the intellectual property system as a tool to support their economic aspirations, and thereby, support their social, cultural, and environmental aspirations.
Liz MacPherson is the Deputy Privacy Commissioner at Office of the Privacy Commissioner, New Zealand.
Claudia Mark is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Science with a triple major in Data Science, Environmental Science and Physical Geography at Victoria University of Wellington. Her interests lie at the intersection of data and climate, looking at how data analysis and manipulation as well as artificial intelligence can help us build a better picture of the climate emergency we are facing, and offer insights and solutions towards addressing and mitigating its impacts.
Emily Mason believes in supporting individuals and organisations to make the world better, faster. We can do good, better. She does this as Managing Director at FrankAdvice | FrankCapability, a business that supports organisations to create great policy advice, and build their own capability to deliver great advice, and as co-founder and Director at Impact Lab.
Rachael Milicich Unlocking the value of data and statistics is something that Rachael has been passionate about her whole career, spanning over 30 years.
Rachael is the Deputy Government Statistician and Deputy Chief Executive for Insights and Statistics at Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa, leading the delivery of data services and insights to customers, communities, and stakeholders as well as the necessary data platforms and statistical infrastructure which underpin delivery. She is also responsible for delivering 2023 Census results and the transition to the next one.
Rachael has represented New Zealand in the international statistical community, and she is currently a member of the New Zealand AI Forum Executive Council.
Tracy Parsons is Chief Data Officer at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Manatū Aorere. She is a senior leader with significant experience leading data and information change programmes, and growing information capabilities such as data and analytics, ECM, intranet/website and data management.
Marianna Pekar is a former Chief Data Scientist and an experienced Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) researcher in New Zealand. Her career has been defined by a passion for data science, public service and technological innovation. She has a proven track record in building and leading high-performance data science teams in sectors such as finance, government, health, energy, and infrastructure. With a strong foundation in scientific modeling, statistical analysis, and a multilingual background in science and business, she has consistently leveraged data to address complex challenges and drive organisational transformation. Now, she is a PhD Candidate, applying these skills to advance the field of ethical AI applications, blending professional expertise with academic inquiry.
Agate Ponder-Sutton has worked in industry and in research including teaching. Every data set has stories to tell; She has worked on many different kinds of data including customer, marketing, financial, health, biological, energy sector, water catchment, and air quality.
Charlotte Rose believes that data and evidence is critical in enabling decision makers to target specific issues and make a real difference in society. She has an academic background in psychology, sociology, and criminology and has been working in data analytics in both the social and public safety sectors for close to a decade. Charlotte enjoys working with people who share her passion for making data accessible to all audiences.
Linda Zhang is a BSc Honours student majoring in AI at VUW. She is particularly interested in Evolutionary Computation approaches. Along with her academic pursuits, she has gained valuable experiences working as a tutor, administrator, and engineer/developer intern at Xero and Flux Federation. She is currently working on Genetic Programming for Interpretable Facial Expression Recognition for her honours project. She is friendly and always keen to talk! Please don't hesitate to connect her via LinkedIn.
