alex velez, data storyteller
Specific focus areas: managing the storytelling with data YouTube channel; developing new workshops and learning course programs
Promotional materials
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Official bio: click here (or scroll down)
Social media: LinkedIn
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In their own words…
Where are you from?
I was born and raised outside Philadelphia by two ex-New Yorkers, which means that I'm a NY Giants fan in Eagles territory. I have since shifted west from the Philly area to central Pennsylvania.
Do you have a favorite chart type?
It changes depending on the project, but scatterplots and Cleveland dot plots are usually at the top of my list. My background is in statistics, which helps to explain the scatterplot part. As for dot plots, they look interesting and enable multiple comparisons.
What inspired your interest in visualization?
In all seriousness, the original storytelling with data book. I remember seeing a recommendation for the book on Amazon while it was on sale and purchasing it without much thought—or interest in the topic. It took me a few months to finally read it, but once I did, I fully immersed myself in this space and have never looked back.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
This has changed drastically in the past few years. I used to attend and teach dance-based fitness classes. I'd also regularly pop into Latin dance classes—bachata, salsa, merengue. While I still enjoy dancing around my living room, most of my extra time now is spent in the kitchen. I enjoy collecting new cookbooks.
Videos
Alex is a featured speaker at multiple conferences, user groups, and special events for storytelling with data. In addition, she manages the SWD YouTube channel. You've probably seen her there in the following videos:
Articles
Alex regularly contributes articles for the storytelling with data blog, on a wide variety of topics—data viz makeovers, in-depth analyses of visualization types, workshop attendee questions, and more. Here is a sample:
how to create executive summary slides
Business communications often require a brief, at-a-glance overview—in other words, an executive summary. Despite their ubiquitous presence in business settings, summary documents that are clear and concise can be challenging to design. Alex shares best practices, and templates as she guides you through the process of designing an effective summary slides.
redefining the analytical process
Quick searches for the “analytical process” tend to heavily emphasize the exploration side, and minimize the explanation piece. Alex offers a different vision, geared towards ensuring a both robust analysis and a more successful communication outcome.
a wordy slide makeover
There are always opportunities to improve how you communicate, whether with quantitative data or without. Alex shares three design strategies to transform a wordy slide into something scannable that drives action.
a combo chart makeover
When Alex encounters a combo chart, she often remakes it into something simpler. But there is always an exception! Check out this data viz makeover to learn more about why Alex chose to remake a simple line graph into a more complicated combination chart using lines and areas.
Podcasts
On occasion, Alex hosts the popular storytelling with data podcast. Below are some of her recent episodes.
episode 71
pre-reads are risky business
Sending slides before a meeting and asking your audience to do a pre-read has become the norm. Unfortunately, pre-reads never quite lead to the desired outcome of better questions and discussion, instead they create more challenges. Data storyteller Alex shares her thoughts on pre-reads and how she navigates requests to share content outside of a meeting.
episode 64
beginner mistakes in data viz
You'll probably make a few mistakes when learning to visualize and communicate data. That's okay! It's all a part of the learning journey and can be preferred since we often learn more from our mistakes than our successes. SWD storyteller Alex embraces her early missteps as she takes a trip down memory lane to share where she went wrong and what she learned.
Official bio
Feel free to use or share this bio in any printed or promotional materials in support of your event.
Alex has told many stories across the finance, insurance and pharmaceutical industries. She developed this skill both inside and outside of the office; and therefore, believes that everyone—regardless of their training—can benefit from effective communication. Her experience as a dance-fitness instructor and peer educator taught her the importance of crafting messages tailored for the audience. Once she began incorporating this important learning into her more technical roles—data engineering and analysis—she was surprised at the immediate positive reaction to her work. Now, she spends her time assisting others: by helping them tell THEIR data stories!