How community, mentorship, and leadership transformed my career and purpose.
When I first stumbled into the DataFam, I had no clue how profoundly it would shape my life. I wasn’t thinking about leadership, collaboration, or growth — I was just searching for a sense of community. At the time, I was a closeted autistic individual grinding away in government work, where my contributions were often misunderstood, even dismissed as some kind of “magic.” Sure, I’d hear words like “genius” tossed my way, but without challenge or fulfillment, those compliments felt hollow. My reality was staring down a calendar, counting the days until retirement, feeling stuck in a career that didn’t see my full potential.
Enter the DataFam.
At first, it was just a space to connect with others who spoke the language of data. But what I found was far beyond technical skill-sharing — it was an environment that encouraged growth, amplified voices, and provided real opportunities. The DataFam helped me recognize my own capabilities not just as a data professional but as a leader, a communicator, and a continuous learner.
Looking back, I realize that my journey with the DataFam has been about far more than dashboards and visualizations. It has been about discovering confidence. It has been about breaking through the limitations I once placed on myself, shaped by an environment that didn’t foster growth. The more I engaged, the more I found myself taking on new challenges — opportunities that would have taken years to materialize in a traditional corporate setting.
The DataFam empowered me to take risks, build meaningful friendships and collaborations, and, most importantly, to embrace my authentic self. I no longer saw leadership as something reserved for a select few, but as a natural evolution of my passion for learning and sharing knowledge. The transformation was fast and real — I wasn’t just surviving anymore; I was thriving.
This journey has reinforced one of the most valuable lessons of my life: Community matters. The right environment can accelerate growth in ways you never expected. And when you’re surrounded by people who challenge you, inspire you, and support you, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. The DataFam didn’t just give me new skills — it gave me a new perspective, a new purpose, and an opportunity to scale beyond what I thought was possible.
I went from being a data professional looking for a way out of the grind to career transformations, four-time visionary, five-time ambassador, two-time Michael W. Cristiani Community Leadership Award winner, and a Golden Hoodie recipient. More importantly, I became someone who is passionate about helping others find their own path in this space. The DataFam transformed my career, but more than that, it transformed me.
That’s why I launched TableauNext, now rebranded as the #DataFamRisingStars initiative. I want to ensure that emerging leaders in our community don’t have to wait years to gain visibility and confidence in their work. Through this initiative, I aim to elevate and fast-track these rising stars — providing them with the same kind of support, mentorship, and opportunities that helped me grow. The next wave of DataFam leaders is already here, and my mission is to help them amplify their impact, discover their passions, and thrive in ways they never imagined. Because this can be absolutely true… when one of us rises, we all rise.
