Pioneering Data Futures: WiDS Raleigh @ NC State

NC State's Data Science and AI Academy (DSA) Hosts Inaugural Women in Data Science Regional Conference on March 5, 2025.

March 25, 2025 sewhiche 2-min. read

WiDS Raleigh @ NC State Participants talk during the networking session. — WiDS speaker Rolliene Mallari, Director of CX Analytics and Insights at Elevance Health (Left), talks with WiDS attendees during the networking and career exploration session.

NC State University’s Data Science and AI Academy (DSA) recently hosted the Women in Data Science (WiDS) Raleigh @ NC State regional conference, centered on the critical themes of “Leadership, Innovation, and AI.” This event showcased the significant contributions of academic and industry leaders in data science and AI, reinforcing DSA’s mission to build the future of data science and AI at NC State.

On March 5, Duke Energy Hall within the James B. Hunt Jr. Library welcomed a diverse audience comprising professionals, academics, and students. The interdisciplinary nature of the attendees underscored the broad applicability and growing importance of data science and AI across various sectors and disciplines.

The conference commenced with opening remarks from Helen Chen, Senior Vice Provost for Instructional Programs at NC State, followed by a keynote address delivered by Jenell Stewart of the N.C. Health Information Exchange Authority. Stewart’s insights into the role of data and AI in advancing healthcare initiatives provided a compelling foundation for the day’s discussions.

Senior Vice Provost Helen Chen (Right) and Keynote Speaker Jenell Stewart (Left). — Keynote Speaker, Jenell Stewart (Left), of the N.C. Health Information Exchange Authority and Senior Vice Provost for Instructional Programs at NC State, Helen Chen (Right).

Attendees engaged in practical workshops, including “Practical Journey Wrangling to Visualization,” presented by Priscila Faria, and “Learn about Large Language Models,” led by Jeanne McClure, both from the Data Science and AI Academy. These sessions equipped participants with valuable tools and knowledge for data analysis and application.

ShuDon Brown, IBM SWPICS Continuous Improvement and Robotic Process Automation Leader, leads a talk titled “Innovative Ideas Essential to Tech.”

Concurrent sessions featured expert speakers addressing diverse aspects of data science, encompassing technological innovation, causal inference, professional development, and network analysis. These presentations offered a comprehensive overview of the field’s breadth and depth.

Panel speakers Hardi Desai, Abigail McCauley, Uma Ravat, Jola Pham, Jason Swarts, and Megan Townsend (Left to Right).

A pivotal panel discussion on modern data science careers, featuring representatives from organizations such as SAS, Syngenta, and Red Hat, provided invaluable insights into career pathways and industry trends. The panelists offered strategic advice on navigating a data-driven professional landscape.

WiDS Raleigh @ NC State attendees network between sessions.

The conference concluded with a networking and career exploration session, which facilitated meaningful connections and fostered collaboration among attendees, speakers, and industry representatives. This session exemplified NC State’s commitment to building a strong and supportive community around data science and AI education, research, and application.

WiDS Raleigh @ NC State showcased NC State’s leadership in translating data science and AI concepts into real-world impact. The event, orchestrated by the DSA, fostered practical knowledge sharing and strengthened the bridge between academic research and industry application.

Want to learn more about how to engage with DSA? Contact the DSA programs specialist, Chanel Carrell.