We Don't Need No (AI) Education

Catch the Jam Session live on the first Friday of every month, exclusively on the Insight Jam https://insightjam.com .... Join today to stay up to date and connect the greatest minds in enterprise tech!

Being relevant in the age of AI requires new knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking. Without these, your destiny may be to become just another brick in Pink Floyd’s proverbial wall.

The question is how?

To help each of you answer this question, we have brought together an expert panel:

Cher Fox, Founder & President at Fox Consulting
Andrew Madson, AI/ML and Analytics Evangelist at Dremio
Monica Kay Royal, Founder & Chief Data Enthusiast at nerdnourishment

Hosted by Robert Eve - Advisor - Robert Eve Consulting LLC

Insight Jam presents The Jam Session live stream

https://www.youtube.com/live/BRLwX-mWezk

Data Strategy, Quality, and Trust Walk Into a Bar…

Ever wonder what happens when data strategy, quality, and trust meet up for a drink? (Spoiler: It’s not a data disaster!) Join us for a lively fireside chat where we'll dive into how these three friends — data strategy, quality, and trust — join forces to whip your data initiatives into shape. Whether you’re trying to prevent your next AI, ML, data science or advanced analytics project from turning into a horror story or just tired of data surprises, this chat will reveal how this trio can help you avoid a hangover and serve up a formula for success. Drinks optional, insights mandatory.

Key Takeaways:

* Clear understanding of the relationship between data strategy, data quality and data trust
* Solutions for the biggest challenges in maintaining data quality in today's high data volume and velocity environments
* How data professionals can effectively communicate the importance of data strategy, quality and trust to non-technical leadership and stakeholders
* What emerging trends organizations should be preparing for
* The first 3 steps an organization should implement when starting to build out its data capabilities

Denver Startup Week
2025 Data Governance & Information Quality (DGIQ) West + Enterprise Data World (EDW) Conference

https://www.foxconsulting.co/datastrategy

Denver Data Super Meetup

In honor of Denver Startup Week we are proposing to hold a convergence of several local groups that are pillars of the local data and AI communities:

• DAMA (Data Management Association) Colorado Chapter https://damarmc.org/
• Denver ML Ops Meetup https://www.meetup.com/denver-mlops-community/
• Denver Data Meetup https://www.meetup.com/denver-data-dudes-dudettes/

This event will be in the form of a ‘low key’ happy hour without formal presentations, just allowing people to get together and network.

Denver Startup Week

LinkedIn Unleashed: Strategies for Building a Professional Brand and Expanding Your Network

In this talk, I explore the complexities of leveraging LinkedIn to strategically build a powerful professional brand and enhance professional networking.

LinkedIn has evolved beyond being a platform for online resumes; it's now a dynamic space for professionals to showcase expertise, promote products and services, connect with industry peers, and foster meaningful relationships. This presentation covers:

1) Key strategies for optimizing your profile to stand out in a competitive environment
2) Crafting compelling content that resonates with your target audience and positions you as a thought leader in your field
3) Generating conversations (leads, job opportunities, etc.)
4) Effective professional and product branding and networking
5) Harnessing LinkedIn's features, such as groups and events, to expand your network and stay updated on industry trends

Gain a comprehensive understanding of how to strategically leverage LinkedIn's FREE potential, unlocking opportunities for professional and product advancement.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
* Strategically optimize your LinkedIn profile.
* Craft compelling content to showcase expertise.
* Engage effectively with your professional network.
* Explore nuances of building a resonant professional brand.
* Leverage LinkedIn features (groups, events) for networking.
* Whether seasoned or starting, gain actionable tips for maximizing LinkedIn.
* 𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒖𝒔 - leverage a company page to showcase a product's brand or company's services.

Colorado Technology Sales Professionals Meetup
Nova Scotia Women In Data (WiD) Webinar
Rocky Mountain Information Security Conference (RMISC)
West Slope Startup Week 2024

https://www.foxconsulting.co/linkedin

Empowering New Data Stewards: Navigating Data Governance for Risk Management and Process Excellence

In this dynamic technical talk, we delve beyond overviews, offering concrete solutions for new data stewards to maximize their impact in a data governance program. Discover actionable strategies to navigate risk reduction, ensuring data security, and safeguarding privacy. Uncover the keys to achieving regulatory compliance, driving substantial data quality improvements, and mastering metadata management for enhanced transparency. Explore how to streamline development projects, reduce cycles, and elevate project outcomes with practical efficiency techniques. Learn the nuances of extending governance practices to external partners for effective vendor management. As a new data steward, I'll share my firsthand experience, providing insights into the challenges and victories in steering a successful data governance initiative. Join to gain not just guidelines, but tangible solutions that will empower you in making a significant impact as a data steward from day one.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
* Actionable strategies for impactful data governance
* Concrete solutions for risk reduction and compliance
* Practical efficiency techniques for streamlined projects
* Insights into vendor management for external partnerships
* Firsthand experience shared for real-world application

Data Governance & Information Quality (DGIQ) West

https://www.foxconsulting.co/datasteward

Maximizing Organizational Potential: The Essential Role of Data Strategy

Embark on a transformative journey in this session to understand the pivotal role of a comprehensive data strategy for business and data leaders. Learn how it forms the basis for crucial initiatives like artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning strategies. Gain practical insights into ensuring high-quality data, effective data governance, and extracting maximum value. Acquire knowledge on reference data, data literacy, interoperability, integration, privacy, and compliance. Discover the impact of a robust data strategy on establishing a data catalog, metadata management, and compliance measures. Uncover ways to monetize data, implement test automation, integrate big data, and navigate change management adeptly. Elevate your leadership as you comprehend how a data strategy is the ultimate foundation, and dependency, for achieving your organization’s business goals and how an organization can’t have a data strategy without a business strategy first.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
* Learn the dependency strategic initiatives have on a data strategy
* Gain insights for informed and strategic decision-making processes
* Acquire knowledge on extracting maximum value from data resources
* Learn strategies for effective change management in data-centric initiatives
* Explore opportunities for organizational revenue and success

SQL Saturday Denver 2024
PASS Data Community Summit 2024

https://www.foxconsulting.co/datastrategy

Data Quality Management Best Practices

This presentation examines the key practices for effective data quality management, and will provide a practical roadmap to enhance, or implement, data quality practices. Addressing data quality management is essential for organizations to ensure the success and reliability of next generation technology (AI, LLMs, etc.) implementations and this talk will provide valuable insights applicable from the C-Suite to the data enthusiast.

I will first analyze the strategic definition of data quality standards, emphasizing various principles. The importance of proactive data profiling, coupled with regular assessments, is then highlighted for identifying and addressing anomalies. The session also reinforces the significance of a robust data governance framework, automated validation processes, and metadata management to ensure contextual insights.

Continuous monitoring, supported by alert systems, is discussed for tracking data quality metrics in real-time. Cultivating a data quality culture through user training and awareness is suggested as a vital component. The presentation also explores the utilization of data quality metrics and key performance indicators to benchmark and assess effectiveness. The commitment to continuous improvement concludes the discussion, emphasizing the importance of regularly reviewing and adapting practices to evolving business needs.

DAMA Rocky Mountain Chapter Q2 Event
SQL Saturday Denver 2024
West Slope Startup Week 2024
Denver Dev Days 2024

https://www.foxconsulting.co/dataquality

Strategic Decision-Making: CEO's Guide to Optimal Information Security

Businesses are witnessing a surge in cyber attacks targeting their IT frameworks. The growing risks, like data loss and ransomware, have become diverse and complex. Therefore, business executives and CEOs need to redefine the security vision of their organization's digital presence. They must adopt a practical and strategic decision-making approach regarding the company’s information security (IS). A wide range of IS initiatives need to be a part of the organization's security awareness culture under the direct supervision of the CEO. These undertakings should include – identifying vulnerabilities, assessing and quantifying risks, and implementing security standards and government policies. The current webinar aims to understand what role CEOs and executives play in executing information security initiatives. It aims to provide the participants with a comprehensive guide to risk assessments and making optimal strategic decisions to safeguard organizational assets.

EC-Council Cybertalk
Cyber Cheyenne

https://www.foxconsulting.co/informationsecurity

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Building Confidence in the Tech Industry

Despite early life challenges and limited formal education, Cher Fox has tenaciously carved out a successful 37-year career in technology, including solely founding an IT consulting firm at the age of 25. Her journey, starting as a preteen self-taught programmer through fast-tracking high school to escape abuse, highlights the resilience and determination often necessary for women in tech. Imposter syndrome, fueled by societal biases, self-doubt, the paper ceiling and ageism, remains a significant barrier.

This talk explores Cher’s personal battle with imposter syndrome, its impact on women in tech, and effective strategies to overcome it. Learn how mentorship, validation, finding your tribe and self-reliance can empower you to build confidence and thrive in your career.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
* Identify and Understand Imposter Syndrome: Attendees will understand what imposter syndrome is, how it affects women in tech, and learn to recognize its signs in themselves and others.
* Develop Strategies to Overcome Self-Doubt: Attendees will gain practical strategies to combat self-doubt, build confidence, leverage mentorship, seek skill validation, practice self-compassion, and address the paper ceiling and ageism.
* Empowerment and Confidence Building: Attendees will be inspired by the speaker's journey, empowered to take proactive career steps, harness strengths, build networks, and cultivate resilience.

KEYNOTE

Test Automation: Agile Enablement for Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence Teams

Regardless of whether your data warehousing (DW)/business intelligence (BI) team is dedicated to Scrum, a fan of Kanban, or focused on XP, “Agile” in any form calls for small increments of potentially deployable results – which means that QA is essential on a regular, frequent basis. As we develop these small increments, we need to not only test the new development, but also regression test what we’ve already built. Our test suite grows larger with each iteration, and manual testing quickly becomes infeasible. Agile requires that we automate our tests so that regression testing doesn’t become a development bottleneck.

Test automation is one of several key technical enablement practices that allows teams to be more successful in their agile journeys. While there are lots of test practices and automation tools out there for software development teams to leverage, very few are targeted to data-related development and testing. Agile analytics practitioner Lynn Winterboer and DW/BI architect and developer Cher Fox will share essential agile test foundations and data-focused test automation technologies to help data warehousing and business intelligence teams get a leg up on this important agile practice, including a demo of how this works!

Agenda:
Why is test automation important for agile DW/BI teams?
Why aren’t all DW/BI teams automating their tests today?
What is the path to data-focused test automation?
Where to start? What tests to automate first?
Demo of a simple test automation tool any DW/BI team could build and use
Learning Outcomes:
The intent of this presentation is to:
1) Educate DW/BI folks on why test automation is important to an agile journey;
2) Clarify that a solid foundation is needed in testing practices and principles before automation is useful;
3) Show that automation is easy to do, using simple DW/BI tools and coding languages.

https://www.foxconsulting.co/testautomation#tapresentation

Agile Test Automation for Data-Centric Applications

Test automation, one of several key technical enablement practices, allows teams to be more successful in their agile journeys. Although there are lots of test practices and automation tools available for software development teams to leverage, few are targeted to data-related development and testing. This lack of data-centric testing tools leaves Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence teams thinking they can't possibly automate their tests. Why is test automation important to agile data teams? Why aren’t they automating their tests today? What is the path to test automation? Cher answers these questions, bringing the concepts to life using small-group exercises and a short demo of how it works. Leave knowing that a lack of vendor-supported tools is NOT the issue, and that if you roll up your sleeves and develop good testing practices and procedures, you can easily start automating those practices and procedures using the tools and development languages that you already use.

BSC & ADC & DO/West 2017 Conference
Software Testing Conference 2017

Behavior-Driven Development & Test Automation: Agile Enablement for DW & BI Teams

Behavior-Driven Design (BDD) and test automation are key practices that allow data warehouse and business intelligence teams to be more successful in their agile journeys. While there are lots of test practices and automation tools out there for software development teams to leverage, very few are targeted to data-related development and testing. Agile analytics practitioner Lynn Winterboer and DW/BI architect Cher Fox will share essential agile test foundations, describe BDD, and identify data-focused test automation technologies to help data warehousing and business intelligence teams get a leg up on these important agile practices, including a BDD exercise and a test automation demo!

SQL Saturday #673
PASS Data Community Summit 2017

Navigating Digital Transformation: Unraveling Steps, Challenges, and Pitfalls

Embarking on a digital transformation journey is imperative for organizations in today's rapidly evolving landscape. In this 40-minute technical talk, I will delve into the intricacies of digital transformations, exploring the key steps necessary for a successful transition. From the initial strategic planning to the implementation phase, I will outline the critical milestones and considerations.

However, the path to digital transformation is fraught with challenges, and steering through them is crucial. My discussion will not only highlight common obstacles faced by organizations but also provide insights into effective strategies for overcoming these hurdles. Whether it's resistance to change, integration complexities, or data security concerns, I'll equip you with the knowledge to navigate these challenges seamlessly.

Moreover, no digital transformation journey is without its pitfalls. I will shed light on potential traps that organizations often fall into and offer practical guidance on avoiding them. From insufficient stakeholder engagement to underestimating the cultural shift required, my talk will empower you with the foresight to sidestep pitfalls and optimize the transformation process.

Join me for an insightful exploration of digital transformations, where I unravel the steps, address the challenges, and guide you in steering clear of potential pitfalls. By the end of this talk, you'll be well-equipped to lead your organization through a successful and efficient digital transformation.

Mastering the Data Governance Maze: From Risk Mitigation to Process Excellence

Join me for a 40-minute exploration into the world of data governance, where I'll unravel the intricacies of managing data assets for organizational success. This technical talk will spotlight the pivotal role of data governance in mitigating risks and enhancing processes.

The discussion kicks off with an examination of how a robust data governance framework contributes to general risk management, addressing concerns such as data breaches, unauthorized access, and data integrity. Emphasis will be placed on aligning data governance practices with industry standards and regulations to bolster data security and privacy.

Moving beyond risk reduction, I will delve into the transformative impact of data governance on organizational processes. Attendees will discover how a well-structured data governance program ensures regulatory compliance, uplifts data quality, and accelerates the efficiency of development projects. I'll also explore the vital role of metadata management in providing transparency and context for data, laying the foundation for effective governance.

I will conclude by spotlighting the essential characteristics of a successful data governance program—focusing on sustainability, embedding governance into organizational culture, and establishing measurable metrics for continual improvement. Participants will leave with actionable insights to craft and implement a robust data governance strategy that not only manages risks but also propels positive change within their organizations.

Women in Tech Global Conference
Cyber Cheyenne

https://www.foxconsulting.co/datagovernance

Transforming Business Needs into Analytics Solutions with Dimensional Modeling

This seminar provides a comprehensive guide to dimensional modeling throughout the entire data lifecycle, using ONE single living document that can be utilized from capturing business functional requirements to empowering non-technical users to build self-service actionable analytics. Participants will learn how to design and implement robust dimensional models that align with business goals, supported by visual and textual documentation that spans the entire SDLC. Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, attendees will master key concepts such as designing fact and dimension tables, data profiling, integration with data architecture, and enabling self-service BI development. This document serves as a valuable resource throughout the process, ensuring consistency and alignment from business requirements to analytics delivery. Whether you're new to dimensional modeling or looking to refine your skills, this seminar will equip you with the tools, techniques and documentation to design and build data models that eliminate technical support and drive actionable insights.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
• Understand the key principles of dimensional modeling and its role in the SDLC.
• Learn how to design dimension and fact tables to meet business needs.
• Gain hands-on experience with data profiling and mapping for ETL processes.
• Explore advanced techniques like snowflake schemas and performance optimization.
• Master self-service BI communication to empower business users.
• Learn how to address common pitfalls in dimensional modeling and optimize for scalability.

The Human Side of Data

Data is more than just numbers and statistics; it is the lifeblood of informed decision-making and strategic planning. In "The Human Side of Data," panelists will delve into the complex interplay between data and the human factors that shape its collection, interpretation, and utilization. Explore how personal biases, historical contexts, and societal changes influence data quality and integrity. We will discuss real-world examples of how data can be misused or misunderstood, leading to significant consequences. Join us to uncover the essential role of human judgment in ensuring responsible and ethical data use and learn how to navigate the challenges of interpreting data in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Each attendee will walk away from this panel discussion being able to:

* Understand Data Context: Learn how historical and societal contexts impact the accuracy and relevance of data.
* Recognize the Impact of Personal Bias: Identify how personal and systemic biases can affect data interpretation and decision-making.
* Prioritize Data Literacy: Improve your data literacy to evaluate the reliability and applicability of data in various contexts more effectively.
* Look to the Future of Data Management: Explore the evolving landscape of data management and how emerging technologies can be leveraged responsibly.

2025 Data Governance & Information Quality (DGIQ) West + Enterprise Data World (EDW) Conference

Breaking Down Data Silos for Business Impact

Organizations often struggle with data silos—isolated data repositories that hinder collaboration, insight generation, and decision-making. This presentation explores practical strategies to dismantle data silos, fostering a unified data environment that drives business impact. Attendees will learn about the key challenges associated with data silos and discover actionable solutions to integrate data across departments, enhance data accessibility, and improve overall business performance.

The Disruptive Data Leadership Summit

Data Security, Privacy and Trust Walk Into A Bar...

Data security and privacy are no longer just technical challenges; they are critical to building and maintaining trust with customers, partners, and stakeholders. As data breaches and privacy concerns dominate headlines, the need for robust strategies that seamlessly integrate security, privacy, and trust has never been more urgent.

Join Cher Fox, President, Founder & Chief Data Officer at Fox Consulting, Pete DeFinis, Chief Technology Officer & Founding Partner at TechForwardIT, Laura Harder, ISSA International Board Member & Northern Colorado ISSA President, and Kamal Maheshwari, Co-Founder of Decube, for a dynamic panel discussion where we'll explore how organizations can navigate the complex intersections of data security, privacy, and trust, sharing insights on best practices, regulatory impacts, and the latest innovations.

Whether you're grappling with compliance, looking to fortify your data defenses, or striving to be transparent with your data practices, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to safeguard your data ecosystem.

Drinks optional, insights mandatory.

In the digital age, data security and privacy aren’t just nice-to-haves — they’re the bouncers keeping your data party from turning into a fiasco. And trust? It’s the DJ spinning the tunes that keep your customers dancing instead of storming out the door.

Join this panel discussion where we’ll dive into the do’s and don’ts of data security, privacy, and trust. From dodging data disasters to earning standing ovations from regulators, we’ll share how to keep your data house in order while staying on everyone’s good side.

Think of it as a survival guide for data practitioners with a sense of humor — because in the world of data, you either laugh or... well, encrypt and hope for the best.

After this session, learner will:
* Recognize common challenges in implementing effective data security and privacy measures and their impact on building organizational trust.
* Be equipped to develop a proactive approach to data security and privacy that anticipates future challenges and supports sustained trust in data initiatives.
* Be able to explain how data security, privacy, and trust are interconnected and why they are critical to a robust
governance strategy.

Rocky Mountain Information Security (RMISC) Conference 2025

Future of Work: The Human Edge in this AI Moment

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence into the workplace is not only reshaping roles but also redefining the collaboration between humans and machines. This panel, "Future of Work: The Human Edge in this AI Moment," will delve into how AI is augmenting human capabilities and transforming industries, and what this means for the workforce of the future.

Panel experts will discuss the evolving landscape where AI tools enhance human decision-making and creativity, rather than replace it. The discussion will cover key areas such as the impact of AI on job creation and displacement, the necessary skills that future workers will need to thrive alongside AI, and the importance of human intuition and emotional intelligence in an AI-dominated workplace.

Additionally, the panel will explore how organizations can foster a culture that embraces AI innovations while also strengthening the human skills that AI cannot replicate. This includes leadership in times of technological change, strategies for lifelong learning and upskilling, and the ethical dimensions of AI at work.

This session is crucial for business leaders, HR professionals, and workers alike, offering insights into maximizing the human edge in a landscape increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.

Mini Jam LIVE, Q1 2025: From AI Architecture to the Application Layer

Agile Alchemy: Turning SDLC Challenges into Collaborative Wins

The path from business requirements to a successful product release is rarely linear—especially in complex data-driven environments. Agile methodologies promise adaptability and speed, but true success depends on one critical ingredient: collaboration.

In this session, Cher Fox, a seasoned expert with end-to-end SDLC experience, will reveal how to transform common project challenges into opportunities for agile collaboration. Drawing on real-world scenarios, Cher will demonstrate how to align business, data, and technical teams throughout every phase of the SDLC, turning roadblocks into results.

Attendees will gain practical insights into specific Agile practices, including:
* Facilitating Effective Daily Standups: Keeping cross-functional teams aligned while navigating complex data integration projects
* Refining Backlogs Collaboratively: Using techniques like User Story Mapping and MoSCoW prioritization to manage data modeling requirements
* Leveraging Agile Ceremonies for Transparency: Utilizing Sprint Planning, Reviews, and Retrospectives to enhance communication during data pipeline projects
* Implementing Kanban and Visual Management: Improving workflow transparency when managing data architecture tasks
* Embracing Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Pair Programming: Driving quality and collaboration in data engineering and self-service analytics development

Real-world examples will highlight how agile collaboration helped:
* Break down silos between business analysts, data modelers, and engineers to accelerate data warehouse initiatives
* Adapt quickly to shifting data requirements during a marketing analytics project, delivering actionable insights faster
* Foster a culture of collaboration that enhanced the accuracy and reliability of customer data within data ecosystems

Whether you're an Agile practitioner, project manager, or technical lead, this session will equip you with actionable tools to elevate collaboration, reduce friction, and consistently deliver value to your stakeholders.

Join Cher to learn how to harness the power of collaboration through specific Agile practices, transforming data-driven challenges into catalysts for agile success!

Attendee outcomes:
- Learn practical strategies to improve communication and teamwork across business, data, and technical roles.
- Draw inspiration from case studies showcasing agile collaboration in data warehouse and analytics projects.
- Build a culture of transparency and trust, reducing friction and boosting team morale.
- Understand how to integrate agile methods with traditional data management and SDLC approaches.

Data Trust Decoded: Moving Beyond Compliance

Regulatory compliance, such as GDPR and CCPA, sets the baseline for data privacy and security, but true data trust requires more. Organizations must go beyond legal requirements by embracing transparency, accountability, and ethical data practices. Transparency empowers stakeholders, and customers, by clarifying how data is collected and used, while accountability ensures organizations take ownership of data practices and address gaps proactively. Ethical responsibility involves safeguarding data while mitigating bias and promoting fairness. Organizations that prioritize trust beyond compliance gain competitive advantages, including stronger customer loyalty and reduced risk. And building a culture where trust is embedded in every stage of the data lifecycle will be key. This discussion explores how organizations can operationalize these values and build lasting trust with their stakeholders and customers.

InsightJam.com's the Jam Session podcast April 2025

Are You Doing AI OR Is AI Doing You?

Ah, the modern corporate battle cry: "We're doing AI!" But what does that even mean? Is your company genuinely leveraging artificial intelligence to drive innovation, or did someone just slap "AI-powered" onto your latest PowerPoint deck? Let’s break it down and find out whether you're doing AI—or if AI is doing you.

AI is everywhere right now - from boardrooms to back offices, from your email inbox to that questionable chatbot on your insurance company’s website. But as more organizations rush to “do” AI, one big question hovers: who’s actually steering the ship?

Today we’re cutting through the buzzwords and getting into what it really means to adopt AI, use it responsibly, and avoid being steamrolled by your own digital transformation.

We’re going to explore:
• What it actually means to “do AI”
• Where low-maturity orgs can get real value (without getting hyped)
• Where things can go sideways when AI gets ahead of your data
• And how to take back control before your algorithms start doing the hiring, firing, and Friday playlist

May 2025