“The 2023 Women in Data Science (WiDS) Dublin event provides an opportunity to learn
about the latest data science advancements from industry leaders and cultivate connections
with potential mentors and collaborators in the field,” said Jenny Corcoran, an MSc Business
Analytics student at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and the Irish
Ambassador for the Stanford Women in Data Science organisation.

“I hope that WiDS Dublin 2023 will inspire women to join or stay in data science and
develop skills to implement creative, world changing decisions.”

According to the organisation’s website, WiDS is a worldwide actionable community,
incubated at Stanford University, on a mission to change the field of data science across the
globe by elevating and empowering women. They strive to reach 30x30: 30% representation of women across all levels in data science education, innovation, and leadership by 2030. 

The event will be held on June 9, 2023 and hosted by UCD Smurfit School. It will be the
largest WiDS event ever held in Ireland and MC’d by Elaine Burke, the former editor of
Silicon Republic and current host of For Tech’s Sake, a co-production from Silicon Republic
and The HeadStuff Podcast Network.

Speakers include a dynamic and diverse group from across industry and academia including:
● Aarthi Kumar, Director of Data Science, EY
● Ana Le Chevillier, Clinical Research Manager – Data & AI, AI PREMie
● Alessandra Pascale, Senior Research Scientist and Manager, IBM Research
● Annunziata Esposito Amideo, Assistant Professor in Management Information
Systems / Business Analytics, UCD College of Business
● Francesca Bonin, Research Staff Member, IBM Research
● Jenny McCarthy, Operations Analytics Manager, Meta
● Jenny Corcoran, WiDS Ambassador, MSc Business Analytics, UCD Smurfit
● Karen Church, VP of Research and Data Science, Intercom
● Laura Alvarez Jubete, Analytics Lead, Accenture
● Noelle Doody, Managing Director, Accenture Applied Intelligence
● Oonagh O’Shea, Managing Director, Accenture Applied Intelligence
● Rebecca Barford-Ryan, Sr. Technology Consultant, IBM
● Sorcha Healy, Principal Data Scientist, Microsoft

The event is co-sponsored by IBM and will be followed by IBM’s TechXchange.

"At IBM, we believe in the transformative power of diversity and inclusion, and supporting
events like WiDS is a natural extension of our commitment,” said General Manager of IBM
Ireland Deborah Threadgold. “By championing women in data science, we are unlocking a
wealth of untapped talent, perspectives, and innovative thinking that will shape the future
of our industry and ultimately pave the way for a better world.”

Career Opportunities
“A career in analytics offers immense opportunities for growth, innovation, and influence,”
explained Jenny who is a California native and alumna of California Polytechnic State
University-San Luis Obispo.

“Analytics has revolutionized numerous industries by enabling data-driven decision-making.

In healthcare, analytics can help identify patterns in patient data to improve diagnostics and
personalized treatments. In finance, it can be used for fraud detection, risk assessment, and
portfolio optimization. Retailers leverage analytics to understand customer preferences,
optimize supply chains, and drive targeted marketing campaigns. Analytics also plays a
significant role in transportation, energy, manufacturing, and many other sectors, making
processes more efficient and enhancing decision-making capabilities.”

Jenny believes that the demand for professionals with a background in analytics will
continue to grow across industries. “From technology companies to healthcare
organizations, financial institutions to government agencies, nearly every sector now
recognizes the value of data and seeks skilled individuals who can analyse and interpret it.”
Particularly interested in how data analytics can be applied in the healthcare industry, Jenny
looks forward to the day when patients can enter a doctor’s office and receive the best
treatment based on their unique biology and medical history. “Just as analytics
revolutionized the way companies find, profit from, and retain customers, healthcare is
experiencing its own revolutionary leap, and I plan to be part of it.” 

“At UCD Smurfit School, I am advancing my analytical skills to help organizations make
decisions with data-driven confidence. My goal is to be a problem formulator and solver
who optimizes the performance of organizations and improves patient outcomes,”
concluded Jenny.

The WiDS Dublin event is open to the public and tickets cost €10. Learn more and register
here.