CV

Career History

• Head of Data Science, VALD
  Brisbane, AU   |   Mar 2023 – Current
  • Spearheaded the design and delivery of an enterprise data lakehouse on Azure Databricks, integrating governance and enabling data access in SQL, Python/PySpark and Power BI, projected to deliver $1M annually.
  • Defined a 5-year data roadmap for VALD, hiring six people into the Data Science & Engineering team in the first year.
  • Championed VALD’s data strategy through various channels, including the Pacey Performance Podcast, webinar, keynote at client conference, and investor meetings.
  • Integrated normative data into the company’s five software products, enhancing insights for clients and winning VALD’s Feature of the Year award.
  • Technologies: Azure Databricks, PySpark, R, MLflow, SQL, Power BI, Git.
• Senior Analytics Manager, Affirm
  San Francisco, CA   |   Oct 2019 – Jan 2023
  • Established a 7-person Merchant Pricing Foundations team responsible for analytical tools, automation, data models, monitoring, and pricing for new initiatives. Hired new analysts and coached established analysts.
  • Defined and executed the data governance roadmap. Created data models, metrics, dashboards and automated SQL alerts; chaired a monthly metrics review meeting.
  • Played a vital role in quarterly planning cycles, providing performance forecasts and effectively translating the outcomes into team objectives.
  • Coordinated a cross-functional Credit project to model lending risk under Covid-19 stressed scenarios, delivering an extra $25M monthly volume.
  • Owned the annual Go-To-Market pricing refresh in 2021-23 for all Affirm products, encompassing predictive modelling, cross-functional approvals, Salesforce implementation, seller training, and escalation policies.
  • Technologies: Snowflake, dbt, Python, SQL, Looker, Git.
• Senior Data Scientist, Quantium
  San Francisco, CA   |   Sep 2018 – Sep 2019
  • Led a team of four data scientists to configure the Q.Refinery transaction enrichment data product for Wells Fargo, achieving over 90% classification accuracy.
  • Developed propensity models in PySpark for a cross-functional 1:1 marketing personalization pilot at a major US bank.
  • Technologies: PySpark, SQL, Apache Hadoop, Git.
• Renewal Pricing Optimisation Manager, Direct Line Group
  London, UK   |   Mar 2015 – Aug 2018
  • Led a 4-person team responsible for Motor Renewals pricing optimisation. Oversaw project plans, reviewed customer retention models, and managed employee performance and day-to-day workstack.
  • Rebuilt the renewal price optimisation algorithm for a £1.4B motor insurance portfolio, delivering £12M additional profit and a streamlined process with robust controls.
  • Ran A/B experiments of new optimisation strategies and created automated insights dashboard for P&L owners.
  • Technologies: Radar, Emblem, SAS, Qlik.
• Actuarial Analyst, Quantium
  Brisbane, AU   |   Jan 2011 – Dec 2014
  • Responsible for data extraction, cleansing and feature engineering.
  • Created a de-biased sample of retail customers, which powered the Q.Checkout BI data product used by CPG clients.
  • Developed technical cost models for a comprehensive motor insurance product using SAS and Emblem.
  • Implemented an automated vehicle risk monitoring suite while seconded to a leading motor insurer.
  • Built benchmark cost GLMs for an industrial gas client, along with an Excel scorecard rolled out to pricing managers.
  • Prepared a monthly report analysing trends in key steel indices and other global markets.
  • Created and presented a SAS tutorial for colleagues.
  • Technologies: SQL, SAS, Teradata, Emblem, VBA.

Education

• Associate of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia (AIAA)
  Brisbane, Australia   |   Mar 2011 – Dec 2013

• Bachelor of Applied Science (Mathematics) (First Class Honours)
  Brisbane, Australia   |   Jan 2008 – Dec 2010

  • Dean’s Scholars Accelerated Honours Program: four-year honours degree completed in three years
  • GPA: 7.0 out of 7 (high distinction)
  • Average Grade: 98%

Skills

• Software: SQL, Python, SAS, R, Tableau, Looker, VBA, PySpark, Snowflake, DBT
• Technical: Predictive modeling, Data cleansing, Data visualization, Feature engineering, Price optimization
• Personal: Problem solving, Teamwork, Communication, Stakeholder management, Self-motivation

Certifications

• Data Scientist with Python Specialization, DataCamp
• Machine Learning Specialization, Coursera

Awards

• University Medal, Queensland University of Technology (2010)
• Staff Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Honours Year, Queensland University of Technology (2010)
• Staff Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Second-Year Subjects, Queensland University of Technology (2008, 2009)
• Head of School’s Award for Excellence in Mathematics, Queensland University of Technology (2009)
• Dean’s Merit Award, Queensland University of Technology (2008, 2009)
• Research Scholarship, Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (2009)
• Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship, Queensland University of Technology (2008)
• Australian Student Prize (2007)
• Dux of College, Iona College (2007)

Voluntary Experience

• Volunteer, Coffee Brigade (2023 – Current)
• Food Kitchen Volunteer, St Anthony’s Foundation (2019 – 2022)
• VP of Public Relations, SF Downtown Toastmasters (2020 – 2021)
• Social Buddy, Share Community (2016 – 2018)
• Team Leader, Rosies Youth Mission (2011 – 2014)