Diana Akanho
Customer Insight Manager - Upper Streets Events

- What is your role at work?
My role is quite new and it’s to utilise all the data there is to help the company get a better understanding of their customers.
- How did you get into data and technology, and why?
I’ve loved maths ever since primary school, and my dad worked in I.T, so from the age of five he would teach me programming. I studied maths at university and it was from here I started to see how it could be applied to the real world and how I could use it. This led me to want to work with data.
- How has a setback or obstacle shaped you?
A few years ago I wanted to study a masters degree in medical statistics but my application was rejected. At the time that felt like a major disappointment and huge setback in terms of my career and where I wanted to go. But I know that if that didn’t happen I wouldn’t be where I am now. That path led me to a masters in applied statistics and that gave me the stepping stone to where I am now and exposed me to a lot more data related issues.
- How do you feel about doing things differently?
Entering the industry as a young woman was quite challenging to begin with. In my first role, there was a point when I was the only female working in the company. There were times when I felt frustrated and that my voice wasn’t being heard. I found it difficult to express myself in a way that didn’t come across as too emotional or forceful. If I thought something wasn’t right I’d get my point across, but if I look back, my approach wasn’t always the most mature way to handle things. From those experiences, I’ve learnt not to take things too personally.