Speakers & Presentations

Nan Li
Vice President, AI/ML & Statistical Practice
Nationwide

Keynote Speaker

Optimizing Your Data Science Teams

We want to make the most from our analytics and data science teams, tools, platforms, systems, and practices. Join me as I discuss my experiences in extracting the highest possible value from analytics resources. Learn tips and tricks for developing, operationalizing, and maturing your analytics teams for high performance.

+ Nan Li Bio

Nan Li serves as Vice President, AI/ML & Statistical Practice at Nationwide. As a passionate, versatile, and human-centric data and analytics executive, she has earned 20 years of experience in the insurance, financial services, and healthcare industries. Her expertise includes data strategy, analytics product management, analytics, BI, data science, ML/AI, data engineering, data management, data governance, big data and cloud, and talent management.

Li has built a reputation as a creative and pragmatic business problem solver, innovator, and communicator. She is particularly skilled at setting up data & analytics strategy and roadmaps, bringing business, analytics, and IT together to achieve business outcomes, and operationalizing data & analytics solutions to deliver scalability and ROI.

Dinakar Deshmukh is a Speaker at the 2023 INFORMS Regional Analytics Conference Cincinnati

Dinakar Deshmukh
VP Data Sciences & Analytics
GE Aviation

Promoting Innovation Among Data Scientists

How do you keep your data scientists engaged, curious, continuously learning and creating great work? Join me in this discussion about ways to promote and stimulate innovation among your data scientists to continuously advance and keep progress moving forward.

+ Dinakar Deshmukh Bio

Dinkar Deshmukh is a global engineering/technology leader with 22+ years of progressive experience leveraging data analytics and aviation domain expertise to drive differentiated outcomes for both GE Aviation and customers. His unique blend of experience in jet engines along with deep machine learning/AI expertise and building/leading global teams makes him a valued member of the data ecosystem. Dinkar has earned a proven track record of working with research teams in identifying and scaling solutions.

Greg Zerr will be speaking at the 2023 INFORMS Regional Analytics Conference in Cincinnati

Greg Zerr, CAP, PMP
Leader, Data Analytics & Strategy
Marathon Petroleum

The Secret Sauce of Data Science Teams

The secret sauce of data science teams isn’t just about having the right algorithms and tools – it’s about bringing together the right mix of people, ideas, and practices. Whether you’re a data scientist, team leader, or business executive, this talk will provide valuable insights into how to unlock the full potential of your data science team and achieve breakthrough results.

+ Greg Zerr Bio

Greg Zerr leads the Data Analytics & Strategy (DAS) Team at Marathon Petroleum. The DAS team focuses on making hard decisions easier; developing strategic and competitive advantages in how Marathon Petroleum moves, markets, prices and sells its products. In addition to his work at Marathon, Greg also serves as a Marine Corps Reservist assigned as the Operations Officer for the Joint Reserve Force at the Defense Logistics Agency- Land & Maritime.

Greg graduated with merit from the Naval Academy with a B.S. in Economics and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. During his time on Active Duty as a Marine Corps Officer, Greg served in a variety of leadership positions across the country and overseas.

Following multiple assignments in operational units, the Marine Corps sent Greg to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and he graduated with an M.S. in Operations Research. While at NPS, he earned the Military Operations Research Society’s Tisdale Prize for outstanding research.

Greg was sent to Headquarters Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Office (E2O) as the Lead Operations Research Analyst and Analysis Branch Head. While at E2O, Greg was responsible for energy supportability analysis of resource allocation, future, and operational concepts across the Marine Corps. Following this assignment Greg was selected to develop a special analytics organization for the Commandant of the Marine Corps. He served as the Chief Analyst leading special projects at the Marine Corps Directorate of Analytics & Performance Optimization (MCDAPO). While at MCDAPO, Major Zerr led and developed numerous studies and analysis in support of resourcing decisions for the Commandant of the Marine Corps and various other principal staff officers and commands. During this time, Major Zerr was nominated and selected to serve as the active-duty representative and analytics lead on the U.S. President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End the National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) task force.

After completing his assignment at MCDAPO, Greg transitioned from Active Duty and accepted a role at Marathon Petroleum in Findlay, Ohio. Greg supported several initiatives at Marathon Petroleum as the company underwent a large-scale digital transformation. At Marathon, Greg leads the DAS team of data engineers, data scientists and business analysts to provide operational and strategic analytics support for resourcing decisions.

Aside from his continued service in the Marine Corps Reserves, Greg volunteers in a wide range of capacities in both his community and professional societies. In particular, he enjoys serving as a youth cross-country coach for grades K-8.

Sandy Steiger will be speaking at the 2023 INFORMS Regional Analytics Conference in Cincinnati

Sandy Steiger
Sr Director, Advanced Analytics & Automation
TQL

Developing and Enhancing Characteristics of Excellent Analytics Professionals

What are the characteristics and attributes of great analytics professionals? Learn how quantitative, more technical skills blend with other character-based and soft skills to form a recipe leading to excellence in analytics professionals.

+ Sandy Steiger Bio

As Senior Director of Advanced Analytics and Automation at Total Quality Logistics, Sandy Steiger is responsible for driving the adoption data science that encourages data informed decision making across the organization. In addition, she facilitates a Business Analytics MBA class for Miami University. Steiger has 20 years’ experience in the analytics industry, a majority of that time was spent in the retail/CPG industry at 84.51°, dunnhumbyUSA and The J.M. Smucker Co. Her expertise is in developing strategic data science and analytic road maps that drive transformational, innovative thinking and decision making.

Steiger holds a Master of Science in Statistics from Miami University and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Business Administration from Mount St. Joseph University.

Chandra DiGregorio will be a panelist at the 2023 INFORMS Regional Analytics Conference in Cincinnati

Chandra DiGregorio
VP, Data Science
84.51°

John Georgeson will be a panelist at the 2023 INFORMS Regional Analytics Conference in Cincinnati

John Georgeson
VP, Data Science
Concentrix

Damon Ragusa will be a panelist at the 2023 INFORMS Regional Analytics Conference in Cincinnati

Damon Ragusa
Chief Data & Technology Officer
PatientPoint

Jason Tang will be a panelist at the 2023 INFORMS Regional Analytics Conference in Cincinnati

Jason Tang
Sr. Manager, Predictive Analytics
CoverMyMeds

Panel Discussion: The Future of Data Science Talent

As we approach the next era of data science, the needs from data scientists will likely continue to evolve. Hear perspectives from these expert analytics leaders about the changing role of data science professionals, and what we might expect for the future. Possible paths include a deepening in technical capability, more qualitative capabilities around language and natural querying, the evolution to more artisan in nature or intensified creativity, and other ways we potentially anticipate the enhanced technology to stimulate a human-machine collaborative working relationship.

+ Chandra DiGregorio Bio

Chandra is VP of Data Science in the Customer Insights and Loyalty team at 84.51° and has nearly 20 years of diverse experience bringing both data strategy and techniques across financial services, academia, media, innovation, and the retail industry. Chandra’s specialties include data science, research, custom insights, ML/AI, data governance, talent management and leadership, digital and mass media, social media, psychology, and travel writing. She is a passionate leader focused on the learning, development and career growth of her teams.

Chandra holds a Master of Arts in Psychology from Brandeis University and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Boston University.

+ John Georgeson Bio

John possesses deep practical experience in customer-focused applied analytics, specializing in marketing research and data science techniques that support customer experience design and management. John supports executives at global organizations to design and implement advanced analytic strategies that provide actionable intelligence and direct process-improvement opportunities. With a focus on building and implementing machine learning solutions into production environments for increased revenue and cost efficiencies, John assists businesses in integrating their analytic efforts and data streams across the enterprise to understand customers more completely. John was jointly awarded two U.S. Patents for developing proprietary approaches to linkage analytics.

+ Damon Ragusa Bio

Damon is an entrepreneurial and driven executive, with more than 20 years of cross-industry experience leading tech-focused organizations and teams. He’s founded or served as founding member of five companies at the intersection of software and data science serving broad industries with emphasis on healthcare, education, or strategic marketing. Damon’s focuses on building world-class technology, data, and product development teams in both start up and scaled up stages. Damon has proven skills in fundraising, creating strategic partnerships, and delivering revenue growth.

+ Jason Tang Bio

Jason Tang is an experienced, passionate, energetic, and curious leader constantly looking for ways to drive improvement, and with a proven record of transforming and maturing BI and analytics to increase revenue, improve customer satisfaction and drive business performance. Tang’s broad experience spans analytics and Business Analytics, across finance and pharmaceutical industries, including experience from credit/risk, customer interaction, operation optimization, product pricing, cost control and performance evaluation. Tang’s technical skills include data science, programming, database and visualization, such as SAS, SQL, Python, Time series forecasting, database management, and Tableau, etc. Tang has earned awards including Gnome of Excellence and high performer at several Fortune 500 companies.

Nan LiVice President, AI/ML & Statistical PracticeNationwide

Keynote Speaker

Optimizing Your Data Science Teams

Dinakar DeshmukhVP Data Sciences & AnalyticsGE Aviation

Promoting Innovation Among Data Scientists

Greg Zerr, CAP, PMPLeader, Data Analytics & StrategyMarathon Petroleum

The Secret Sauce of Data Science Teams

Sandy SteigerSr Director, Advanced Analytics & AutomationTQL

Developing and Enhancing Characteristics of Excellent Analytics Professionals

Chandra DiGregorioVP, Data Science84.51°

John GeorgesonVP, Data ScienceConcentrix

Damon RagusaChief Data & Technology OfficerPatientPoint

Jason TangSr. Manager, Predictive AnalyticsCoverMyMeds