Data Realm: Spotlight on Chandra Donelson, a Woman Pioneer
In an inspiring talk, Chandra Donelson, the chief data and AI officer for the United States Space Force, emphasised the importance of team empowerment and resilience in success, particularly in product development.
Donelson, who has had a diverse and non-traditional career path, began her journey as a teenage entrepreneur in Texas, opening a formalwear store at the age of 14. She later attended college on a track and field scholarship while studying business, before enlisting in the United States Air Force. Her career progression leading directly to her current role is not extensively detailed, but it includes a significant milestone: helping launch the Air Force's first AI governance platform in her previous role as the chief data and AI officer.
Donelson believes that women leading in the data field are not afraid to challenge the status quo and adapt to changes. She encourages adapting to the market with intention and purpose, staying rooted in one's "why." In her current role, she advocates for a culture that values team empowerment, resilience, and open communication.
She suggests including everyone from managers to interns in the decision-making process to ensure people care about the results. Creating a space where team members have no hesitation in sharing their thoughts and opinions is also crucial, according to Donelson. Building trust with a team is essential for a healthy team and effective leadership, she states.
Donelson also emphasises the importance of ownership in leading product development teams in a fast-paced growth environment. She advises taking risks, being option-oriented, curious, and persuasive, traits that she found were once considered weaknesses but are strengths in the tech space.
In addition to her role in the military, Donelson is also a board member and founder of the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia chapter of Women in Data. She is the author of "The Data Detective," a book series and global initiative aimed at making data literacy fun and accessible for kids.
Despite her achievements, Donelson shares that her biggest career challenge was thinking she had to be all things to all people and saying yes to everything, rather than setting boundaries to focus on what truly moves her "why" forward. This experience has taught her the importance of self-awareness and setting priorities.
In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, Chandra Donelson stands as a beacon of resilience, empowerment, and innovation, inspiring others to embrace change and challenge the status quo.
Technology plays a crucial role in data management, as evidenced by Donelson's success in launching the Air Force's first AI governance platform. In her current role as the chief data and AI officer for the United States Space Force, she advocates for a culture that values technology, education-and-self-development, and team empowerment to drive innovation.
