Hidden Figures: Bias in Big Data and Predictive Analysis
Description
Big data and artificial intelligence/predictive analysis is increasingly influencing our society and our behavior. One of the challenges with making data-driven decisions in your program is the over-representation of biased data – especially around gender, racial profiles, and ethnic backgrounds. This discussion will focus bias in your data – it’s impact, detection, and mitigation strategies. It offers nonprofit leaders a set of recommendations, best practices, as well as supporter-focused techniques -all of which will promote the fair and ethical deployment of data-driven decision making.
Session Type
60 minute sessionLearning Outcomes
- What is bias and how does it influence data and analytics
- How to recognize bias in data and analytics
- What are some steps your organization can take in order to ensure you are making unbiased decisions using data
Target Audience
Digital directors, digital fundraising professions, data and analytics teamsTags
Speakers
Dutch Cosmian
Senior Digital Director
Free Press
Dutch joined Free Press in 2007 as office manager. After wearing many hats, they now oversee web development, digital fundraising, online advocacy and outreach, data analysis and content creation for the organization. Perhaps one of the most helpful cynics you’ll ever meet, they can also be found hunting for the best poke on the beautiful island of O’ahu, hanging at the beach and cuddling with their dog Ruby.
Ashley Bryant-Baker
Director of Data and Analytics
Fresh Eyes Digital
Ashley is a part-time data scientist and full-time comic book nerd who has used data and analytics for 10+ years to drive business decisions and forecast potential outcomes for strategic initiatives.
She has worked with organizations across industries including The United Nations, AARP, Amtrak, T-Mobile and others. However, the work she is most proud of is the work she has done as an advocate for diversity in STEM and expanding tech education and accessibility to rural and low-income areas. She believes that data is an important tool that can help organizations improve their operations but more importantly, Ashley believes data can help make society a more equitable, safe and inclusive place. She lives in the Washington DC area with her husband, but calls Louisiana home. Laissez les bon temp rouler. Ashley holds undergraduate degrees in art and business with an MBA in international economics from the American Graduate School in Paris and certificate in data science from Georgetown University.
Kathryn Ellsworth
Director of Annual Giving
Peninsula Open Space Trust
Kathryn is a data enthusiast and has worked to more than double the donor base since joining POST in 2009. She looks for opportunities to improve efficiencies in processes and introduce new technology to allow the organization to continue to grow and thrive. She oversees one-to-many fundraising in print and digital forms and POST’s Salesforce home for data. When not at her computer, Kathryn enjoys textile and fiber arts, learning about native plant gardening, cheering for the Warriors and Spurs, smashing shuttles on the badminton court, and hiking with her husband on the extraordinary lands near where they live in Mountain View, California.