Making an Impact and Innovating with Digital Transformation

Bianca Davis is the Manager of Data Operations and Strategy at Crowley Maritime Corporation. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Crowley is a vessel management, owner and supply chain logistics services company, providing services globally. Bianca was born in England and has lived in various overseas and U.S. locations. A speaker of German and Icelandic, Bianca relocated to Jacksonville to be closer to her parents.

Her interest in technology was piqued when conducting social science research. When evaluating surveys, Bianca concluded that there was no holistic solution in the data-gathering process. As someone who always enjoyed investigative science, she was drawn into data, saying, “You can impact every corner of life through data analytics.” Bianca looks to maximize opportunity and has studied people, business and data. She achieved an MBA and MS in Data Analytics at the University of Maryland University College. While in college, Bianca worked at Ralph Lauren to fund her education, where her efforts to juggle school and work were acknowledged.

Her interest in technology was piqued when conducting social science research. When evaluating surveys, Bianca concluded that there was no holistic solution in the data-gathering process.

As someone who always enjoyed investigative science, she was drawn into data, saying, “You can impact every corner of life through data analytics.” Bianca looks to maximize opportunity and has studied people, business and data.

She achieved an MBA and MS in Data Analytics at the University of Maryland University College. While in college, Bianca worked at Ralph Lauren to fund her education, where her efforts to juggle school and work were acknowledged.

A people person, Bianca changes the narrative that data people lean toward introversion and code all day. In her role at Crowley, Bianca leverages her various strengths to bring together and facilitate cross-functional work between business and tech teams. She focuses on the program level to ensure that data impacts strategy and helps the organization move forward toward ever-evolving data maturity. For example, the legal department may want to digitize processes, so she brings Crowley’s experts together to formulate and implement a solution.

Bianca also works with external partners to ensure the support of best practices. Customer experience is also very important, so she looks at technology’s impact on delivery models. Thus, the power of data and systems to make maximum impact on internal teams and external customers is actualized.

A rewarding part of her job is “the lightbulb moment and seeing other people feel good about what they’re doing.” Seeing relationships form, confidence built, and the power of owning the solution is key. She also enjoys being involved in the organizations’ DEI—supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. An unexpected aspect of being an IT professional is that “people think you always know the answer. It’s more about finding the answer together, looking past the immediate need and focusing on the long-term solution.” This can involve adjusting expectations while still focusing on the mission to achieve results.

Bianca offers the following advice to those entering IT: “Every company is an IT company. IT is an asset. It’s an enabler that requires us to still innovate.” In addition to seeking out internships in high school and college, focus on a niche technical skillset but be mindful of entering an industry that fulfills your purpose and allows you to drive impact. Think about the context of where you want to work within the tech industry. Consider starting out as a contracted employee to explore various IT roles in different industries and work at companies large and small.

Once employed and looking to begin career laddering, Bianca encourages people to “look for executive leadership and facilitation training. You must be able to navigate the culture of your company and build partnerships. Your career path isn’t linear so be good to yourself and others.”

Originally published by EarnUp