Over the last few years, SQA Group’s Data & Advanced Analytics practice has helped to shape the Future of Work. Helping leaders and companies drive data impact and advancement, from measuring what’s long felt immeasurable to driving newfound gains via AI and automation to unlocking hidden revenue streams via dark data illumination.

Coming off the heels of a banner 2024 — in which our business unit resulted in our being named a Most Innovative Company — we’re thrilled to welcome David Pacific to the team as practice leader and Vice President of Data & Advanced Analytics Solutions.

A seasoned technology executive with over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, Dave leads the technical vision of our practice, delivery excellence, and creation of new service capabilities — helping organizations harness the power of their data to drive strategic decision-making. We stole a few minutes with our new leader to pick his brain on all things data modernization and humanization.

 

What inspired you to pursue a career in data and analytics?

DP: For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by data, numbers, and the way information tells a story. Whether it was pouring over sports statistics, analyzing trends, or simply absorbing as much information as I could, I’ve always been drawn to patterns, logic, and insights hidden beneath the surface.

Growing up, I spent countless hours in front of a computer, exploring, learning, and figuring out how things worked. That natural curiosity, combined with a love for problem-solving led me down the path of data and analytics. I’ve always enjoyed breaking down complex problems, structuring information in a way that makes sense, and translating raw data into meaningful insights.

 

At SQA Group, we’re helping companies elevate the power of data humanization and modernization? How would you define these concepts?

DP: We believe that the true power of data lies at the intersection of humanization and modernization.

Data humanization is about making data approachable, relatable, and actionable, bridging the gap between complex data outputs and the people who rely on them to make impactful decisions. Modernization, on the other hand, focuses on transforming outdated systems, processes, and tools into scalable, integrated, and forward-thinking ecosystems that empower organizations to unlock their full potential. Think of it as identifying the people who invoke and harness process and technology.

By combining these two approaches, SQA Group helps companies elevate their data approaches and initiatives to not only improve operational efficiencies, data excellence, and business impact but to also foster a culture of data-driven decision-making enhancing data literacy and democratization. Our work ensures that organizations aren’t just keeping up with the pace of innovation but, rather, that they’re using data to lead and inspire, with solutions that are as human-centered as they are technically advanced. We enable companies to shift from navigating disconnected tools and limited insights to embracing a future where data drives clarity, trust, and opportunity.

 

What trends in data and analytics do you think are the most transformative right now?

DP: Artificial intelligence (AI) is having its rockstar moment, and rightfully so as large language models, generative AI, and machine learning are pushing boundaries like never before. But while AI grabs the headlines, the real unsung hero behind its success is something much less flashy: a strong, well-structured data ecosystem.

AI is only as good as the data that feeds it. Without clean, well-governed, and properly structured data, AI models are like a sports team with bad stats — unreliable, inconsistent, and ultimately misleading. That’s why some of the most transformative trends in data and analytics right now aren’t just about AI itself, but rather about building the foundation that allows AI to thrive.

As AI-driven insights become mission-critical, organizations are realizing that garbage in equals garbage out. The focus is shifting toward robust data governance frameworks, automated data lineage tracking, and AI-powered data cleansing to ensure accuracy, compliance, and trust in analytics.

These traditional, monolithic data architectures are giving way to more flexible, decentralized models. Data Fabric and Data Mesh architectures are transforming the way organizations manage and share data across business units, enabling self-service analytics, reducing bottlenecks, and increasing scalability.

With AI’s ability to process images, videos, documents, and even speech, organizations are moving beyond structured databases to integrate unstructured data into their analytics stack. This is opening doors to richer insights and more comprehensive decision-making frameworks.

At the core of all these trends is a simple but powerful reality, that AI is only as good as the data behind it. Organizations that prioritize data management, governance, and architecture first will be the ones who truly harness AI’s potential in a meaningful, scalable way. AI is exciting, but a strong data ecosystem is what makes it actually work. Get that right, and everything else (automation, advanced analytics, predictive intelligence) becomes a whole lot more powerful.

 

What do you see as the biggest challenges companies face when leveraging data? What steps can business take to accelerate impact there?

DP: One of the biggest challenges companies face when leveraging data is overcoming fragmentation, in tools, systems, and even mindset. Too often, data is scattered across multiple platforms, siloed within teams, and weighed down by manual processes that lead to fatigue, shadow data, and the worst case, missed opportunities. This creates an environment where decision-making is reactive instead of proactive, and trust in data is eroded.

To accelerate impact, businesses must take intentional steps toward unifying their data estate. This means investing in not only the tools and platforms that should integrate seamlessly but also fostering collaboration between teams to break down silos, and prioritizing data governance to ensure quality, consistency, and adoption. Equally important is building the right skills within the organization, empowering employees with both technical knowledge and the strategic mindset to use data effectively fostering a data driven culture.

Ultimately, companies need to embrace data modernization not as a one-time initiative, but as an ongoing commitment to aligning technology, process, and people. When businesses create an environment where data is trusted, accessible, and actionable, they can transition from simply managing data to truly leveraging it as a strategic asset that drives innovation and growth.

 

What has been one of the most impactful data projects you’ve worked on?

DP: One of the most impactful data projects I’ve worked on involved implementing a data system of record for a non-profit organization. The goal was to completely transform how they captured, managed, and reported on their program data, enabling them to better tell their story of impact to stakeholders and funding partners.

Central to this project was the development of what we like to call “metrics that matter,” key data points that reflected the true outcomes and successes of their programs. By working closely with their team, we identified and refined the critical information they needed to collect, creating a streamlined process for capturing data in real time. These new metrics didn’t just provide deeper insights into their operations; they became the foundation for crafting compelling narratives for grant applications and donor reports.

The data system of record implementation also introduced modern reporting capabilities, allowing the organization to move beyond static, time-intensive reports to dynamic, actionable dashboards. This gave leadership the ability to make data-driven decisions with confidence, from program improvements to resource allocation. On a broader scale, the improved transparency and insights provided open new opportunities for funding by demonstrating measurable outcomes to grantmakers and community partners.

This project was particularly meaningful because it helped empower the organization to align its data practices with its mission. By equipping them with the tools and processes to effectively capture and share their impact, we positioned them to expand their reach, secure additional funding, and continue making a difference in the lives of the communities they serve.

 

What hidden opportunities do leaders have with data that they’re possibly overlooking?

DP: Leaders often think they’ve explored every nook and cranny of their data, but there’s always a hidden treasure chest full of stories leading to meaningful business outcomes and impacts waiting to be unlocked.

For small businesses, the hidden opportunity here is personalization at scale. Smaller organizations tend to assume they don’t have enough data to derive meaningful insights. The truth? Even small datasets can tell big stories. By leaning into tools like CRMs or analytics platforms, they can uncover customer trends and behavioral insights to deliver hyper-personalized experiences that rival the big players. Every purchase, every click, is a breadcrumb. Follow the trail, and you’ll find ways to drive loyalty and engagement without breaking the budget.

The mid-sized companies are often stuck in the “middle” (pun intended) — too big to operate on gut instinct alone, but not quite ready for enterprise-level data solutions. The hidden gem here is operational efficiency. Leaders often overlook the data generated by internal processes, think supply chain, workforce productivity, or resource allocation. By digging into this operational data, they can streamline inefficiencies, reduce costs, and reinvest savings into growth. It’s not just about knowing your customers; it’s about knowing how your business hums (or squeaks).

For larger organizations and enterprises, they’ve got data for days, but the challenge is seeing the forest through the trees. The hidden opportunity here lies in predictive analytics. Most leaders at this level are still too focused on retrospective reporting, what happened last quarter, last month, yesterday. By shifting the focus to predictive models, they can anticipate trends, identify risks before they materialize, and seize opportunities their competitors haven’t even seen yet. Bonus points if they align this with Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) goals, which is a win for the bottom line and the brand.

For non-profits, data is the often the overlooked powerhouse of impact! Non-profits tend to underutilize data because they’re laser-focused on their mission. The hidden opportunity here? Showcasing outcomes through impact storytelling. By building metrics that speak to donors and grantmakers, non-profits can transform raw numbers into compelling narratives that attract more funding. Data doesn’t have to be dry, it can be the heart of your case for support.

So holistically, what is the universal blind spot? Unstructured data (Emails, social media comments, customer service chats). This is where real, unfiltered insights live. Leaders who figure out how to analyze this unstructured chaos can unlock patterns and sentiments that structured dashboards just don’t reveal.

These data opportunities really aren’t hiding that deep as they’re often just sitting in plain sight, waiting for a leader with curiosity and courage to ask, “What else could this tell us?” Organizations need to provoke that curiosity, dig in, explore, and don’t be afraid to get your hands a little data-dirty!

 

What advice would you give to business leaders looking to better utilize their data?

DP: My advice? Stop treating data like it’s just numbers on a spreadsheet and start treating it like it’s your most insightful team member. Data has a voice, and they need to listen to it. Build systems that make it accessible, train your people to understand it, and most importantly, create a culture where curiosity about data is encouraged. When your team feels empowered to ask questions and explore answers through data, you don’t just get better decisions, you get a team that feels value and that’s invested in driving impact. Remember, it’s not about more data, it’s about making the data you already have work harder and smarter for you.

 

The future of data modernization and humanization is here, and it’s transforming how businesses operate, innovate, and grow. Whether you’re looking to refine your data strategy, break down silos, or maximize AI’s potential, now is the time to take action.

Let’s explore how SQA Group can help you turn your data into a strategic powerhouse. Book some time directly with David by clicking here to take the next step toward data excellence.