Empowering Futures: Inspiring STEM Exploration and Breaking Gender Barriers - Natasha Potashnik, SVP and Partner at Known

Today's guest is Natasha Potashnik. Natasha is a recovering academic - she studied theoretical mathematics at Yale and then Columbia, getting her PhD from the latter in 2016.  During her time there, she both performed research in algebraic geometry and taught math (to both undergrads and promising high schoolers).  Towards the tail end of her graduate program, Natasha realized that academia wasn't the right fit and started to investigate a career in data science, eventually participating in a bootcamp program for transitioning academics, where she got to design a recommendation system for the Dota 2 video game.  She subsequently got a job as a Data Scientist at Schireson Associates, a data science consulting firm.  Natasha has worked on an array of projects and products, mostly with media publishers and focused on revolutionizing TV advertising, a team she came to lead development for.  As Schireson became Known, Natasha transitioned to building and leading a brand new team and capability, Media Science, focused on scientifically planning, buying, and optimizing advertising for brands.  Her Media Science team is now at almost 100 people (a team inclusive of data scientists, engineers, data analyst, media strategists, and media specialists) and continues to aggressively grow within the Known rocket ship.Learn how we can do more to break gender barriers. Today's Pioneering Woman is Edith Clarke. Edith was the first woman to be professionally employed as an electrical engineer in the United States, and the first female professor of electrical engineering in the country. Thank you for your Pioneering Contribution, Edith Clarke!Learn more about our story and mission at: www.wonderwomentech.comPodcast Hosted by Lisa Mae Brunson, Founder of Wonder Women TechSound Engineering by Alicia PichetteOriginal Music score by Carleigh StrangeIllustrated Artwork by Jessenia Hernandez - @sen.i.a on Instagram