Making Data Matter – Details, episodes & analysis
Podcast details
Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Making Data Matter
Sawyer Nyquist and Troy Dueck
Frequency: 1 episode/15d. Total Eps: 14

Conversations about data and leadership at mission-driven organizations with practical insights into the intersection of non-profit mission, strategy, and data.
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Apple Podcasts
🇨🇦 Canada - nonProfit
28/10/2025#85🇨🇦 Canada - nonProfit
27/10/2025#64🇨🇦 Canada - nonProfit
26/10/2025#50🇨🇦 Canada - nonProfit
25/10/2025#41🇨🇦 Canada - nonProfit
24/10/2025#29🇨🇦 Canada - nonProfit
23/10/2025#20🇨🇦 Canada - nonProfit
09/02/2025#90🇨🇦 Canada - nonProfit
08/02/2025#77🇨🇦 Canada - nonProfit
07/02/2025#60🇨🇦 Canada - nonProfit
06/02/2025#43
Spotify
No recent rankings available
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
See all- https://uncf.org/
15 shares
- https://www.dataexpert.io/
7 shares
RSS feed quality and score
Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.
See allScore global : 58%
Publication history
Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.
11. Increasing capacity in HBCUs with Data and Analytics - Phillip Wallace
Episode 11
mardi 22 octobre 2024 • Duration 46:52
In this episode of Making Data Matter we sit down with Phillip Wallace - Director of Knowledge Management at UNCF (United Negro College Fund).
We shared a ton of laughs as Phillip offered his insights for you into
- How data is used to increase impact in Higher Ed
- The role of Qualitative and Quantitative Analytics
- The different functions or personas of a data professional
- The similarities between preaching and data analytics
- and more.
10. Designing Data for humans, creativity, and storytelling - Matt Brodie
Episode 10
jeudi 26 septembre 2024 • Duration 36:15
In this episode, we sit down with guest Matt Brodie - Data Storyteller at Power to Change
You will gain insights into:
- How to apply design thinking to data work.
- What are ways you can bring art and creativity to technology.
- Why you should integrate different disciplines into your data thinking.
- How to design data tools with human experience in mind.
and more.
1. How Data & AI are changing Healthcare for good - Joe Squire
Episode 1
mercredi 8 mai 2024 • Duration 47:19
In this episode, we sit down with guest Joe Squire - Director of Analytics & Data Science at UPMC.
We discuss:
- How Joe transitioned into data after beginning his career as a nurse.
- Partnership with business areas to improve and align outcomes.
- Uses and adoption of AI among data professionals.
- Ways AI can improve healthcare access and outcomes for patients,
and more.
Welcome to Making Data Matter - Episode 0
mercredi 1 mai 2024 • Duration 12:24
Welcome to Making Data Matter, where we have conversations about data and non-profit leadership. With practical insights into the intersection of non-profit mission, strategy, and data.
9. Decentralizing data and using finance to drive impact - Matt Benford
Episode 9
mercredi 11 septembre 2024 • Duration 48:20
In this episode, we sit down with guest Matt Benford - CFO at Community Action Partnership Sonoma County
You will gain insights into:
- How finance drives impact in community services
- Ways to build trust when decentralizing data and responsibility.
- How to lead with curiosity
- Integrating finance, data, and strategy in non-profit work.
and more.
8. How to build a data culture that feeds your soul and mission - Emily Hicks-Rotella
Episode 8
jeudi 29 août 2024 • Duration 48:27
In this episode, we sit down with guest Emily Hicks-Rotella - Data & Technology Strategist at Make Tech Work For You
You will gain insights into:
- How to understand and develop a data culture at your non-profit.
- What are key principles for adult learning tech and data
- How to approach program evaluation and data with humility and courage
- Practical ways to develop a Data Tech role at your organization
and more.
7. Making 1% improvements with data to change lives - Sam Elliott
Episode 7
jeudi 15 août 2024 • Duration 38:11
In this episode, we sit down with guest Sam Elliott - Director, Data and Analytics at Calgary Homeless Foundation
You will gain insights into:
- Innovating with data to improve real people's lives
- Navigating the challenges of data collection and data management for various programs and services
- How to measure progress and KPIs for serving people experiencing homelessness.
- How to increase the maturity of data in an organization that's ready to be data-driven
and more.
6. Cohorts and Bootcamps - Learning and growing with data this summer
Episode 6
vendredi 2 août 2024 • Duration 37:20
In this episode Troy and I share about two different data learning experiences we've been a part of. Troy in a technical bootcamp and Sawyer with a data leadership cohort.
We discuss:
- Tech stacks, open source tools, and big data
- Learning experiences and methods
- Leadership vs. individual contributor problems and challenges
and more.
5. How to get leadership to notice you and practical tips for measuring success.
Episode 5
mardi 9 juillet 2024 • Duration 40:06
No guest interview today - A solo Episode with Sawyer. This is an audio recording of a recent presentation from a Linkedin Webinar.
You can find the video version of this presentation here.
In this episode covers:
- Why is measuring success for data teams so hard?
- What are the consequences of doing this poorly?
- What are the results when data teams do define and measure their success?
- A practical framework for defining success metrics.
- Tactical tips for designing metrics
- Examples of how this works in practice.
4. How to design and build a data architecture for maximum impact - James Serra
Episode 4
mercredi 19 juin 2024 • Duration 49:27
In this episode, we sit down with guest James Serra - Technical Data Architect at Microsoft.
We discuss:
- What is a data architecture and what purpose does it serve in an organization?
- History of data architecture, data technologies, and how some things haven't changed.
- How to decide on a data architecture based on the size and maturity of your organization.
- Data Mesh, decentralization vs centralization, and picking and choosing the best pieces for your data architecture.
and more.









