Where Creativity Meets Data: Inside Asana’s Marketing Strategy with CMO Shannon Duffy
Marketing is often misunderstood, seen as either all creativity or all data. In truth, it’s both. Great marketing lives at the intersection of bold ideas and sharp analytics, and few leaders navigate that space better than Shannon Duffy, chief marketing officer at Asana. In this episode, Shannon joins Jess Carter to share how she drives marketing that delivers real business results. She explains how data brings credibility to creative work—and how creativity can move the needle on key business goals. They also talk about setting expectations for long-term efforts like brand building and events, helping leaders understand the value of patience and the metrics that matter. Stick around ‘til the end of the episode for a sneak peek at something special we’ve never done before! Want to be part of it? Check out Jess' LinkedIn post or DM her to submit a question—we might feature yours in the upcoming episode. In this episode, you will learn: The importance of aligning marketing goals with broader business objectives Metrics that matter for brand and event performance Ways to balance creativity with data in marketing leadership Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Shannon Duffy (03:46) Key business metrics every marketer should know (07:22) Helping executives understand marketing (11:09) How to prove ROI for large-scale events (15:19) Aligning creative marketing with company goals (19:40) Using data and instinct to know when to pivot (21:55) Brand awareness beyond advertising
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27:27
How NASWA’s Open Initiative is Bringing a Modern Solution to a Legacy Problem
Unemployment insurance has supported Americans through economic hardship for nearly a century. But its long history brings complex challenges: rigid systems, layered policies, and outdated tech that’s difficult to change. In this episode of Data Driven Leadership, Jess Carter talks with Allison Johnson, director of Open UI at the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA). They discuss the challenges of modernizing unemployment systems and how Open UI is pushing for modular, transparent, and adaptable solutions in a space where innovation is often seen as risky. From procurement hurdles to policy constraints, they unpack the structural barriers that have kept states locked into fragile systems for decades. Allison shares how Open UI is building a collaborative framework that reimagines how unemployment insurance can work better for both administrators and the people they serve. Stick around ‘til the end of the episode for a sneak peek at something special we’ve never done before! Want to be part of it? Check out Jess' LinkedIn post or DM her to submit a question—we might feature yours in the upcoming episode. Disclaimer: Open UI is an initiative intended to explore, document, and promote best practices in Unemployment Insurance technology including modular technical architecture and implementation. It is not currently a product being built, offered, or sold by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA). In this episode, you will learn: What state leaders should consider before launching a new system How Open UI is creating space for shared innovation across states Lessons in leadership and building trust for new initiatives Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Allison Johnson (06:29) Understanding the complexities of unemployment insurance (11:23) What Open UI is and why modularity matters (16:08) Procurement hurdles and Open UI’s potential (18:13) Modernization is an ongoing process (24:46) Building trust through transparency and small wins Resources: NASWA’s Open UI Initiative
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30:23
When Everything’s Connected: The Role of Data in Public Health
A spike in food prices. A livestock disease outbreak. An overwhelmed hospital. These might seem unrelated—until you follow the data. In this episode of Data Driven Leadership, Jess Carter talks with Dr. Heidi Steinecker, senior director of health and human services at Resultant. They discuss how data brings clarity to the hidden links between the economy, public health, and food safety. Heidi introduces the One Health framework, which brings together human, animal, and environmental data to help leaders spot risks earlier, respond more effectively, and shape smarter policies. She also advises on how to build cross-agency collaboration, modernize systems, and use analytics to drive real-world impact before a crisis hits. In this episode, you will learn: The importance of data visibility in policy and decision-making How different types of data work together to tell a bigger story How state agencies can modernize data collection and analytics Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Dr. Heidi Steinecker (06:02) Data provides visibility to make decisions (10:03) Decisions are iterative (11:47) The importance of social determinants of health (15:21) Lessons on data exchange from the COVID-19 pandemic (20:06) Enhancing data collection and predictions with technology (24:34) One Health: Integrating environmental, animal, and human data (27:29) Advice for implementing One Health
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32:54
EnerSys’ Approach to Product Management: Turning Vision Into Value
Being skilled in tech and data enables you to create value in any field. In this episode of Data-Driven Leadership, host Jess Carter sits down with Kerry Phillips, vice president of global product management for the motive power division at EnerSys. Kerry shares his journey of switching industries, from consulting to leading product management in the battery industry. He explains how his expertise in tech and data helped him build confidence and deliver results in a new role. Kerry also gives a glimpse into the development of EnerSys’ latest data-driven application that aims to democratize their sales process and simplify product selection. Listen in to find out how his team overcame obstacles such as messy data and scope creep to demonstrate real value. In this episode, you will learn: How to transition into a new industry with confidence Why descoping can be a crucial part of achieving project success Steps to break down complex projects into manageable pieces Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Kerry Phillips (04:32) The need for a product manager at EnerSys (11:46) Building a demonstration tool (14:04) Transferable skills from Kerry’s consulting background (17:14) Technology solutions to democratize the sales process (21:44) Challenges with data governance (23:46) How to manage scope creep and deliver iterative value (25:38) Preparing for a global product launch at EnerSys
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29:07
Sharpening Strategic Focus and Leading with Purpose in a Noisy World
How do you know when to pivot or stay on course? The best leaders know the right time to step back, challenge assumptions, and make deliberate choices. In this episode of Data-Driven Leadership, Jess Carter sits down with John Roach, president at Resultant, to talk about his approach to strategic leadership. They discuss how leaders can maintain clarity, reassess priorities, and ensure decisions align with the bigger picture. John also highlights the importance of leveraging technology to automate repetitive tasks, allowing leaders to focus on the highest and best use of their time—creative thinking, problem-solving, and making decisions that drive real impact. In this episode, you will learn: How to determine if your data strategy is still serving your business Why balancing risk vs. innovation is key to long-term success How tech and AI can help leaders focus on high-value work Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with John Roach (02:45) Staying true to your bedrock of goals (06:09) When to reassess strategy and pivot (10:20) How to differentiate signal from noise (14:34) The barbell strategy: balancing risk (18:22) Borrowing ideas from other industries to innovate (21:42) Technology allows us to be more human (25:02) Practical uses of AI at home and at work
The power of Data is undeniable. And unharnessed - it’s nothing but chaos.
Making data your ally. Using it to lead with confidence and clarity. Host Jess Carter is solving problems in real-time to reveal what’s possible. Helping communities and people thrive. This is Data Driven Leadership a show brought to you by Resultant.
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