Kroger invites thought leaders to connect at 1819 Innovation Hub

The future is female when it comes to making sense of this data. Recently, Women in Analytics (WIA), an organization that supports women in the analytics space, hosted a Think and Drink event at the University of Cincinnati's 1819 Innovation Hub.

WIA's mission is to increase visibility of women making an impact in the analytics space and facilitate opportunities for members to network among thought leaders. The location was fitting as the mission of the 1819 Innovation Hub and the Cincinnati Innovation District serves as a catalyst for collaboration between industry and talent. 

"Over the last few years, WIA founder Rehgan Avon developed an excellent relationship with Dan and the team at Kroger. When we approached Dan about rallying a group to help us expand our efforts to the Cincinnati area, he immediately suggested we utilize the 1819 Innovation Hub,” aid Kelsey Dingelstedt, managing director of WIA.

Dingelstedt is referencing, Dan Whitacre, senior director of Kroger Labs and Transformation.

“There’s a ton of synergy with what UC, Kroger and WIA are trying to accomplish in the Cincinnati data and tech space, so it was a no brainer. This was a great opportunity for our community to learn about 1819 and the Cincinnati Innovation District, and for us to share our mission with those in attendance," Dingelstedt added.

As part of the event, the WIA offered lightening talks. These are five-minute presentations on topics of interest led by executive leaders in the industry.

"The Kroger Advanced Technology and Innovation Lab at the 1819 Innovation Hub connects us to UC STEM students," Whitacre said. "As a corporate partner of UC, we were happy to host the WIA event in the building. It just made sense especially as innovation and diversity of thought are essential to what we do here."

Individuals within the data community also networked and shared information on how the WIA collaborates with community partners. Burtch Works, an executive recruiting company, sponsored the event.

WIA is based on the idea that increasing the visibility of work done by women in data and analytics creates more opportunity for diversity in industry and academia. That’s backed by research showing that:

• A diverse and inclusive workforce encourages different perspectives and broader solutions
• Gender-diverse teams tend to perform better
• Employers of data analysts still need to close the gender pay gap. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women working in the field of data analytics earn less than men in the same positions

“At Kroger, we strive to create an environment that respects and values the contributions of women and all individuals, regardless of gender. UC shares these values and as a partner, we appreciate their support by hosting the WIA to event here. It was beneficial for attendees, Kroger and the Cincinnati Innovation District as a whole,” said Whitacre.