The latest installment in our Q&A series with women leaders in data features Susan Featherston, MPH, senior strategic consultant for Vantage Technology Consulting Group. (Read our previous Q&A here.)
Susan Featherston, MPH, has been working with data for the past 20 years, across a variety of fields – including non-profits, higher education, federal government, and academic research. She currently serves as a senior strategic consultant at Vantage Technology Consulting Group, supporting higher education clients in IT strategy and operations and focusing on analytics, data governance, change management, and more. She holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from Emory University. You can follow her on LinkedIn.
What inspired you to choose a career in data?
My love for logic, structure, and a deep curiosity of what was possible within those bounds led me to an early career in academic public health research and data analysis, particularly through a social and environmental justice lens. The skills and mindset I cultivated in graduate school (MPH from Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University) have been a constant thread and motivator. Every position I have held, whether it be in the federal government (CDC), non-profit (higher education IT), or for-profit (market research) sectors, has been focused on data, academic rigor, and the importance of research. I am continually inspired by data’s power to shape our understanding of the world, solve problems, and drive meaningful change.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
One of my greatest challenges has been navigating my early career as a neurodivergent woman in a culture with rigid identity expectations. I grew up in the southeast U.S., where direct communication and an aversion to certain social niceties were often misinterpreted as a lack of warmth or being rude. In professional settings, masking and adapting to expectations outside my natural communication style requires an immense amount of energy. Over time, I’ve learned (and am still learning) to embrace my strengths and advocate for work environments that value diverse ways of working, thinking, and leading.
Best advice you’d give to other women aspiring to work in data and become data leaders?
There are countless ways to engage with data and lead in this field. Leadership isn’t about job titles or the number of employees who report to you – it’s about driving positive change and shaping how data is used to create impact. In my work supporting higher education institutions in their strategic technology efforts, I emphasize that governing and managing data responsibly while leveraging it as an institutional asset is a powerful leadership role in and of itself. My advice? Find what excites you about data, be intentional about your impact, and don’t be afraid to carve your own path.
Where do you see the future of women in data?
The future of data leadership needs diverse perspectives, and that means more women (and more underrepresented people across the spectrum of identity) in the field – in positions where they shape strategy, ethics, and innovation. I’m particularly excited about how we’re expanding conversations around responsible data governance and the ethical use of AI. I have learned so much working alongside women leaders in previous roles and at my current organization, and they’ve each helped me expand my perspective and approach to work. I hope to provide that to others in return.
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