Profile: Rehgan Avon
Name: Rehgan Avon
Current Job: Founder & President, Women in Analytics
Current City: Columbus
Hometown: Elyria
Q: What is it that you do at Women in Analytics?
Women in Analytics (WIA) is a platform to elevate diverse voices in the analytics space. WIA hosts an analytics conference in Columbus every year that covers the latest technical, policy, and strategic trends in analytics. We also recently created an online platform to support communities and organizations promoting diversity in the analytics space.
Q: What’s a problem that you are working to solve?
There is extreme risk in having analytics and algorithms built, evaluated, and approved by people that do not fully represent those being affect by them. Bias can creep into the model building or implementation process.
For example, earlier versions of Microsoft's facial recognition software had an error rate of 20.8% when identifying women with darker skin tones. The challenge is not just in the talent pipeline, it is also in exposing the incredible work that is currently being done by those that are less represented in the analytics field.
Editor's Note: Rehgan gave a TedTalk on this subject which you can watch here.
Q: What’s a lesson you’ve learned that has helped shaped your work?
Collaboration is key. A lot can be enabled by establishing meaningful partnerships and maintaining a cooperative relationship.
Q: What’s a trend in technology or innovation that you believe doesn’t get enough attention?
Data cataloging and availability. The amount of data that is available is enormous and typically really challenging to find, understand, and sift through. Efficiencies around this process can be a catalyst for more analysis and experimentation. Looking into data virtualization technology is a solution for larger enterprises.
Q: What’s a recent book, podcast or news story that you found interesting?
The Art of Gathering: How we Meet and Why it Matters.
This book is excellent in discussing the details that go into any gathering. I run a large conference in Columbus and it helps me think through the purpose and reason behind hosting such a thing. It helps me think through why we are meeting to begin with and how to best facilitate the conference to accomplish our goals.
Q: What's your favorite place in Ohio?
My favorite place in Ohio is Hocking Hills State Park in the fall. I love hiking, being surrounded by the changing leaves and nature, being isolated in a cabin next to a fire with a glass of wine, and sitting in a hammock outside with a blanket. These are some of my favorite things to do!
Q: What makes Ohio special to you?
I was born and raised in Ohio and most of my family still lives here. People in Ohio are really hard working and that energy is contagious!
Connect with Rehgan on LinkedIn.
This year's Women in Analytics Conference will be held June 3-5 in Columbus. More information on attending may be found here.