Lisa Egeland

"I started my career in data analysis for Freddie Mac but sought a change after the 2008 housing crisis. My college roommate encouraged me to try the contracting world, and I started doing pricing analytics for an Intelligence Community (IC) customer. Over 10 years and three IC agencies later, I'm a project manager for multiple contracts. My day-to-day responsibilities vary from analyzing website traffic to designing Python coding courses to organizing a conference on IC utilization of data science. The work is always changing and always challenging!"

"The amazing government staff and contractors I work with every day inspire me. I'm astonished at the diversity of experience they collectively bring to the mission. I have a team with decades of experience who deliver finished intelligence to customers around the globe. I learn something new from them all the time, and their passion and energy motivate me to be the best professional I can be. I am honored to work with incredible colleagues that care deeply about protecting our country."

"I think the IC is in the early stages of a huge data science movement that is reshaping intelligence analysis. The technological advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning improve the IC's ability to analyze massive volumes of data much more quickly. Given the limitations of person-based analytics due to ongoing COVID restrictions, incorporating and refining automated processes will be a top priority in 2021 and beyond. In my experience, these trends go in five-year cycles, by which time 'the next big thing' arrives, but for data science, we're still getting started."

Favorite TV Show: The Expanse—Aside from being visually stunning, I love how the show's portrayal of technology seems completely believable for 300-plus years in the future, which is a rarity in sci-fi. Plus, Shohreh Aghdashloo is just absolutely phenomenal!