I recently spoke with my colleague Stephanie Paradis to learn more about her typical day working for FSFP, career background and consulting style. Read on for a Q&A recap to gain personal and professional insights into the people that make up Team FSFP.
What’s your typical day like?
Client needs and client deliverables are always top of mind at the start of the day. Embedded within that is working with other experts internally to make sure that the work that we’re putting forth is truly best in class. There’s also a lot of focus on professional development areas, advancing my knowledge and expertise in the industry and the application of that knowledge through specific tools and software.
How would you explain data governance to a kid/grandparent?
It’s really about how people come together in an organization around their data to manage it, like they would any other thing of value.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
I get to apply my knowledge in different areas into different scenarios, so it’s constantly challenging my perspective and my approach in crafting solutions.
What was your first job?
Busing tables. After college, I was a marketing and business development coordinator for an occupational health company.
What prepared you most for a career in consulting/data governance/data management?
I have an innate desire to break things down into their core components and understand how and why they function as they do. I find problem solving enjoyable and so whether it’s a new technical concept or organizational approach, I’m intrinsically rewarded by coming up with solutions.
What made you choose FSFP?
The culture. I had heard fantastic things about life working here, how supportive the team was and frankly, just how smart everyone was. I really wanted to challenge myself and challenge my pure understanding of the discipline. It was a really attractive opportunity to do that amongst so many thought leaders in the industry.
Describe your consulting style.
Collaborative and compassionate. I have been in the same position as many of the teams we work and therefore understand so many of the challenges that they’re going through. It’s not just about implementing a data governance program for our teams, but setting them up for success after we’re gone – they’re doing the hard part of getting everybody else in the organization on board as to the value that data governance brings.
Which FIRST (focus, integrity, resourcefulness, skillfulness, teamwork) value do you resonate with the most and why?
Integrity. I am always trying to keep the client in the center and think about what is best for them. I really do believe that a rising tide lifts all boats, so that’s at the front of my mind when thinking about how we interact with others internally and externally.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A former coworker of mine told me that as long as you’re acting with integrity, to never wait for and ask for approval, to go ahead and do something until you get your hand slapped. Trust your instinct, take risks, and take control.
What advice would you give to someone considering a job in data management/governance?
Seek to understand first, and then think before you speak. Often, what people don’t say is as (or more) important as what they do say, so it’s important to absorb and consider that before responding.
What’s your best work from home tip?
Shutting down the computer at the end of the day – actually shutting it down, closing the lid and turning off your monitor. Being in consulting, this isn’t always realistic as client needs and expectations can go on into the night. However, when you do have the opportunity, take advantage of it. You need to be able to walk away sometimes and really have your own time, because you need it. No one benefits from working 24/7 in the long run.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to travel, plan travel, and anything else related to travel. I love being outside, and living in New England, have the opportunity to take advantage of seasonal activities like hiking and skiing. The past couple of years I’ve been getting into cooking, so I like to try new recipes and wine pairings.
What do you see as the future of data?
I see data governance becoming a household topic. Maybe not explicitly, but certainly the concepts and goals. Between regulations like GDPR and CCPA and the recent Facebook trial, people are starting to make the connection between their online behaviors and the data generated for for-profit business.
I think consumer industries, in particular, will see industry-leading advancements in data governance programs as they seek to leverage customer privacy and security as a competitive advantage. This has already started, but I think these industries will pioneer truly innovative applications of ML and AI for this purpose.
I hope you enjoyed learning more about Senior Data Governance Consultant Stephanie. Take a look at some of the other posts in our Meet the Team series to gain more insight into the FSFP Team.
