Ioana Mazare, VP, Enterprise Data Strategy at UPS, speaks with Susan Wilson, Group VP, Americas Solutions Leader at Informatica, in a video interview about her professional journey in the space of data and analytics, aligning data priorities with business objectives, and communicating the value of data and analytics to various groups.
UPS is a leading global package delivery company and provider of global supply chain management solutions.
Mazare's trajectory over the past two decades has been shaped by a diverse set of skills, transitioning from an economist by training to immersing herself in the world of data science due to the evolving landscape of technology and data.
She highlights her 17-year tenure at UPS, where she delved into data science, emphasizing the importance of data as a storytelling tool. She adds that it reveals where a company has been, its current position, and the potential future directions.
When asked about her approach to aligning data strategy priorities with business objectives, Mazare says that the aim is to support UPS in its transformation into a logistics-as-a-service provider.
Her team's focus is to empower everyone in the organization to leverage data-as-a-service to achieve their business objectives efficiently and in innovative ways. To achieve this, Mazare’s team works closely with business leaders and stakeholders to enable business outcomes.
In terms of data priorities for the current year, Mazare underscores the importance of integrating data capabilities and tools to enable real-time insights. Teams across different departments at UPS require visibility, trust in data, and secure access to crucial information.
To address these needs, she reveals that UPS is actively maturing its data infrastructure to ensure its robustness and agility in responding to changing business requirements. This strategic approach also positions UPS to invest in advanced analytics and AI capabilities, exploring the full potential of data to drive innovation.
Mazare goes on to share best practices for educating various groups on the value of data and analytics. She stresses that people represent a significant portion of strategy success. UPS adopts a comprehensive top-down and bottom-up approach to communicate and engage partners and stakeholders.
Elaborating further, Mazare says that leadership support is considered fundamental, with leaders becoming advocates for data-driven mindsets, championing data and analytics initiatives within their functions. Regular forums of engagement and established meetings serve as platforms to address data priorities and accelerate business outcomes.
CDO Magazine appreciates Ioana Mazare for sharing her insights and data success stories with our global community.