Faculty Spotlight: Christina Stathopoulos

Christina Stathopoulos spent over five years leading data strategy and related projects across various sales teams at Google and Waze. With a successful career spanning the United States and Spain, she has combined her love for data, technology and education to bring the power of data to the masses. She also acts in a unique position as a ‘data translator’, bridging the gap between business and technical teams to realize the full value underlying data assets. Christina is an instructor for LinkedIn Learning, building content for their data course library, and a podcast host for EM360 where she leads a bi-weekly program with international data leaders to shine light on the latest advancements in the field. 

In addition to being a popular professor with IE students, Christina writes for IE’s knowledge hub Insights, and participates in other parts of the university such as Campus Life and the High Impact Online Programs. Starting this year, she will head the Saudi Aramco Master in Business Analytics and Big Data, as well as the Executive Program in Digital Strategy and New Technologies.

She has also been a featured speaker at the Smart Future World Expo, the World Knowledge Forum, the Women Presidents Organization Annual Conference—and other global forums, with speaking appearances in over 10 countries and virtually around the world. With over 70,000 LinkedIn followers, Christina has been recognized globally for her content creation on the platform focusing on topics related to data and technology, as well as productivity and continuous learning.

Meet one of IE’s School of Science and Technology top thought leaders:

What brought you to IE? Where were you before? And what keeps you here? 

I graduated from the Master in Business Analytics and Big Data program at IE before moving to the academic side. Prior to my IE studies, I was living abroad in Madrid, Spain (I am originally from the US) and working as an independent communications consultant. While contemplating my next steps to advance my career in the data science field, I was drawn to the unique international and entrepreneurial spirit of IE. I remain heavily involved with the university to this day because I enjoy sharing my passion for all things data, and IE is one of the few places I can do so in such a diverse environment.

Where do you work outside of IE and what is most exciting to you about this role in your professional career? 

I spent the past five years at Google, most recently as an Analytical Lead for Waze where I was leading data strategy and data projects for some of its largest advertising clients across North America. It was an interesting role, particularly since I was given the opportunity to flex my skills as a ‘data translator’ - responsible for bridging the gap between business and technical teams to realize the full potential of data assets. In the past month though, I left Google to begin my next professional chapter as an independent data consultant, and I am very excited for what is to come!

Have you ever had an a-ha moment while teaching that furthered your research? What was it? 

I do not recall a specific a-ha moment, but my classes are a constant learning experience. I almost learn as much from my students as they learn from me! I like to include a good amount of debate and critical thinking in my classes, which many times challenges me as well to consider the diverse perspectives and ideas that such a large range of international students can bring to the discussion.

What book do you wish your students would read before taking your class and why? 

Too many books come to mind! I host the #bookaweekchallenge on LinkedIn where I share my weekly book recommendations and insights into what I am learning, so I have read many fantastic books along the way. Given that I teach data classes in many of the MBA programs at IE, two particular books come to mind for this audience: Be Data Literate by Jordan Morrow and Wanted: Human-AI Translators by Geertrui Mieke de Ketelaere. Both books are very similar to my classes in the way they present data, analytics and related technologies in an accessible way. These books help reinforce the concepts and ideas I try to instill in my students.

Please name one of your articles or studies you feel addresses the most important issues for 2023?

I have been doing quite a bit of reading and research on the topic of data ethics, a topic I first addressed in an IE Insights article over three years ago. I feel that this is becoming ever more important given the rise of disruptive and often controversial technologies such as deep fakes and generative AI that rely on data at their core. Although a difficult subject to address, almost like a Pandora’s box that produces more questions than answers when you dig in, I firmly believe that data ethics should be studied in all data programs today.

Whose research of your IE colleagues do you find interesting? Why? 

I enjoy following work by Vice Dean and Professor Rafif Srour. She sets a strong example as a female leader in the data and technology space. I thoroughly enjoy her work making data, analytics and even pure mathematics accessible and enjoyable for large and diverse audiences, inspiring younger generations to pursue these technical career paths.

Tell us one personal thing about yourself that none of your students know. A hobby, sport or talent? Strange fact? Unusual interest? 

I grew up with a love for all animals (I even had two pet tarantulas in college), and when I was twelve years old I submitted an essay on wildlife conservation as part of a larger competition in my regional school system. Ultimately, my essay won a top prize and I was selected with a small group of finalists to spend a day with Jane Goodall, a renowned animal conservationist, at our local science museum. One of my favorite memories :)