In this 6th episode of the Let’s Make It Count podcast, we took the opportunity to chat with Kate Strachnyi about everything from data storytelling and data ethics to work-life balance.

Kate started her career with a finance degree, and shares her journey from being a risk analyst to branching out on her own to teach data visualization. Aiming to show a “before and after” story with data to inspire greater understanding and data-enabled communication, Kate has worked with audiences spanning pre-kindergarten students to executives.

Noting how important it is to “grow your network before you need your network,” she discusses how connecting with a community has instrumental in her career path. Now, she helps build community through her DATAcated Academy and conference.

Listen in as Kate reflects on what it was like to graduate with a finance degree during a financial crisis, how she handles imposter syndrome, and some “life hacks” (hint: discover your “Netflix and pizza” -- something you really love to do). She walks us through the basics of #DataViz and Tableau, providing advice for how to create a submission for the Let’s Make It Count National Competition for high school students and teachers. What data story will you be inspired to tell next?