Data Driven Leadership

AI can make decisions fast. But weak data foundations still slow everything down.
In this episode, Jess Carter sits down with Senior Director of Data Platform & Governance at Hungryroot Ben Ganzfried to discuss what it takes to build trust in data as companies grow. At Hungryroot, data does more than support reporting. It informs recommendations, recipes, and inventory decisions.
Ben shares lessons on building data foundations that help teams move faster with more confidence. He explains why governance should reinforce accountability, not create friction, and why unclear ownership becomes a bigger risk when more decisions depend on data. 


In this episode, you'll learn:
Why data governance is crucial for business growth

Best practices for managing data security and accessibility

How to foster a data-driven culture within your organization


Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction to the episode with Ben Ganzfried
(02:41) How Hungryroot uses data to personalize the customer experience
(08:39) Making faster decisions through better governance
(14:15) The rise of data and AI leadership roles
(19:23) Why ambiguity becomes a risk as systems scale
(23:38) Curiosity as part of data-driven leadership

Ben's LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/ben-ganzfried-1a5a8620a/?skipRedirect=true
Links from the episode - 
https://www.cdomagazine.tech/opinion-analysis/lessons-in-ambiguity-data-ai-and-the-limits-of-informal-coordination 
https://benganzfried.com/f/the-nature-of-data-the-foundation-we-forgot-and-why-it-matters 
https://benganzfried.com/f/the-year-the-margin-for-error-disappeared 
https://www.cdomagazine.tech/opinion-analysis/lessons-in-ambiguity-data-ai-and-the-limits-of-informal-coordination

Some moments define the kind of leader you are. When the stakes are high and the data is incomplete, your character becomes the strategy.
In this episode, former FBI agent Herbert Stapleton joins Jess Carter to explore the role of integrity, decision-making, and leadership in high-stakes environments. Drawing from his two decades of experience in federal law enforcement, Herb shares his insights on how character and effective leadership are essential when the stakes are life and death. He discusses the importance of honesty, accountability, and the challenges of making tough decisions with incomplete information.


In this episode, you'll learn:
How to lead with integrity under intense pressure

The importance of humility and confidence in leadership

Ways to foster trust and loyalty within your team during crises



Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction to the episode with Herbert Stapleton
(02:20) Herb's journey from law school to the FBI
(06:34)  Leadership development in the FBI
(10:03) Decision-making with incomplete information
(14:32) How to deal with crises in corporate settings
(17:35) Prioritizing wellness in your team
(22:21) Developing character in the age of AI
(28:33) Can integrity be taught?
Herb's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herb-stapleton-b94a19126/ 
https://www.dinsmore.com/

Many organizations are adopting AI tools at record speed. Few are stepping back to ask whether they are meaningfully transforming how work gets done.
In this episode of Data-Driven Leadership, Jess Carter sits down with Sindhu Venkata, Vice President of Technical Delivery at Resultant, to discuss what intentional AI leadership looks like.
Sindhu introduces the idea of the "AI speed trap" — the cycle of moving faster, producing more, and slowly eroding quality, trust, and critical thinking along the way. She explains why AI failure is rarely a technology problem; it's a leadership problem.
This episode is especially relevant for executives, data leaders, and operators navigating AI adoption across their teams.


In this episode, you'll learn:
The difference between operational AI and transformational AI

Why the AI speed trap creates fatigue and poor outputs

How leaders can adopt AI without losing critical thinking

 
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction to the episode with Sindhu Venkata
(08:02) The AI speed trap and work slop
(17:57) AI licenses vs. transformational strategy
(23:57) Trust erosion and AI hallucinations
(27:55) Leading AI adoption with intention

Sindhu's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sindhuvenkata/

Data can point to the right answer, but negotiation determines whether it happens.
In this episode of Data Driven Leadership, Jess Carter sits down with Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow, Clinical Associate Professor of Business Law and Management at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.  They discuss why negotiation is a core leadership skill that transforms the way you approach tough conversations.
Charlotte explains why effective leaders do not rely on one negotiation style. They prepare, assess the moment, and pivot when the strategy no longer serves the goal. This episode is especially relevant for leaders navigating complex tradeoffs, limited options, or tense conversations where outcomes and relationships both matter.


In this episode, you'll learn:
How to recognize the negotiation style that works best for you

Strategies for building and maintaining strong professional relationships

The importance of mentorship  in leadership development

 
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction to the episode with Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow
(09:08) How to select a mentor 
(11:52) Negotiation styles and strategies
(23:19) When you're overwhelmed, do this
(26:28) Know your alternatives in a negotiation
(28:24) Leveraging AI for better communication
(31:56) Building and maintaining professional relationships

Charlotte's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottewesterhaus/
Self-assessment: https://hubs.ly/Q042Ty6d0

How can leaders make better data-driven decisions?
Jess Carter shares some of her recent reflections on leadership, from improving workflows within the organization to navigating AI. She talks about how leaders can stay hands-on, spot problems before they turn into bigger issues that impact the business, and earn their team's trust.


In this episode, you'll learn:
The questions leaders need to ask to identify problems in the organization

Tips for democratizing decision-making

How a personal philosophy around AI leads to more confident decisions

 
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction to the episode
(01:05) A methodology for spotting problems you might otherwise miss
(04:40) Showing up and building trust with your team
(06:26) Democratizing problem-solving
(08:23) How to start figuring out your AI philosophy

Jess's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaccarter/