Scott Sacha is a distinguished leader in data and analytics. He currently serves as the Vice President of Enterprise Data and Analytics at Novelis. With over two decades of experience in technical, analytical, and executive management roles, Scott has consistently driven innovation and efficiency within data and analytics teams through his strategic leadership. Scott’s contributions to the field have been recognized through accolades such as being named one of the Top 25 Data Leaders in Atlanta by CDO Magazine.
In addition to being a powerful leader, Scott is a dedicated team player committed to fostering a cohesive team culture and improving inter-departmental communication to achieve major company goals. His ability to create innovative and effective solutions has continuously boosted business and increased customer value, establishing him as a crucial asset to any organization.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Scott shared insights on the role of data and analytics evolving in the future and what implications those will have for businesses and society, the secret mantra behind his success, personal hobbies and interests, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Scott. What drives your passion for data and analytics, and how do you stay current with emerging trends and technologies?
My passion for data and analytics stems from my love for problem-solving. Data is a powerful tool that enables us to address complex issues effectively. Growing up with dyslexia and auditory and visual memory challenges, reading and writing were not my strengths, but I found solace in mathematics, where answers are definitive. The thrill I get from predicting or solving a problem using data is akin to the adrenaline rush some people experience from skydiving. I follow many brilliant people on LinkedIn and stay connected with many industry leaders in the space. Extensively and maintain connections with industry professionals to keep current with emerging trends. Additionally, I engage in personal projects, often using Python to tackle challenges, which allows me to learn while solving problems.
What do you enjoy the most about your current role?
What I enjoy most about my current role is the opportunity to lead a team, collaboratively solve problems, and support the growth of their careers. As I’ve advanced, my focus has shifted from statistical analysis to addressing people-related challenges and developing strategic plans for my teams. I also relish working with cutting-edge technologies such as AI, Computer Vision, and Machine Learning. Applying these tools to solve manufacturing challenges is exciting, as many people may not associate these fields with high-tech solutions.
What do you believe are the most pressing challenges facing organizations looking to leverage data and analytics?
Organizations’ most pressing challenges in leveraging data and analytics revolve around data readiness for AI and ML applications. Many companies find their data is not in a format suitable for AI and ML consumption, necessitating extensive cleansing efforts. Insufficient focus on Data Governance and Master Data Management contributes to this issue. Organizations can prioritize these areas to ensure cleaner and more sustainable data quality.
Additionally, the rapid pace of technological change requires organizations to stay abreast of the latest trends to remain competitive. For instance, large language models struggled solving math problems just eight months ago, but they have improved significantly. Finally, it’s crucial to select the right tools for problem-solving. While AI can be powerful, it is not always the most cost-effective solution. Sometimes, more straightforward methods like decision trees can effectively address the problem.
How do you see the role of data and analytics evolving in the future, and what implications will this have for businesses and society?
I believe that all roles evolve with technological advancements, much like the transformation we’ve witnessed since the advent of the internet and cell phones. In the future, we will likely see a decrease in traditional coding for solution development, but the need for a development and coding mindset will persist. Instead, prompts and more intuitive interfaces will enable solution creation.
The most significant changes will likely arise from Agentic AI, which can autonomously take actions and reason through problems. However, ensuring ethical AI practices and actively addressing potential biases is crucial.
For society, this evolution will lead to a shift toward more AI-driven jobs, requiring a broader skill set. I believe the AI revolution represents the most significant societal change since the industrial revolution.
Congratulations on being recognized as one of the Top 25 Data Leaders in Atlanta. Our readers would love to know the secret mantra behind your success.
Thank you so much. I believe my success can be attributed to being a kind and caring person. I always tell my kids that no one ever says, ‘I don’t want to work with that guy because he’s so nice and responsive.’ Patience has also played a key role in my journey; I’ve never rushed for the next promotion, trusting that good things will follow if I do my job well and continue learning.
How do you approach leadership and team management, and what qualities do you believe are essential for effective leadership?
Being a people leader is a responsibility I take very seriously. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to impact people’s livelihoods, understanding that my decisions can affect families. Too many leaders focus on themselves and don’t take this responsibility as seriously as they should. I aim to help people grow and achieve great things, supporting my career.
Transparency is a cornerstone of my approach. I don’t attempt tasks I’m not skilled at, and I believe in building a team like a puzzle, where each piece contributes to a beautiful picture. Having experienced various roles within organizations, I’ve learned how I liked to be managed, and I apply those insights to my management style.
Additionally, I am constantly learning and listening to my teams, taking their feedback and adjusting accordingly. A practice I find particularly valuable is reviewing all my meetings at the end of the day, noting what I did well and what I can improve. I take inspiration from professional athletes who review footage of their performances. I believe it’s critical to judge yourself honestly and make changes to improve every day.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
Many people have helped me throughout my career, but first and foremost, I am grateful to my wife and kids. My wife manages much of the day-to-day running of our household and ensures our kids get to where they need to be each day. Her support allows me to focus on my work without worrying about daily logistics, and she helps me balance work and family life, which is critical. I am also thankful to my kids for giving me grace when I can’t be around due to long hours or traveling for work.
I’ve had many great leaders in my career, but Jen Tenczar, one of my bosses at McKesson, stands out. She taught me about being a great people leader and the importance of words and communication. I remember having many conversations with her about how to phrase things, and her suggestions always resonated more effectively with me and others.
Additionally, Jared Burdine, who worked with me for years, is a brilliant problem solver and one of the most logical people I know. He helped me view problems differently and taught me to remove emotion from decision-making. Jared has helped me solve many work and personal challenges, and I am forever grateful for the lessons I learned from him, even when I was his boss.
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
Outside of work, I cherish spending time with family and friends on the weekends. Music is a significant passion of mine; I enjoy attending concerts and make it a point to listen to music daily, with tunes always playing in our house. I’m also an enormous car enthusiast, enjoying the experience of driving different cars and watching motorsports like NASCAR, Indy Car, and F1.
Additionally, I’m an avid sports fan, particularly professional and college football. My whole family attended the University of Georgia, so we’re big Bulldogs supporters—go, Bulldogs!
What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
My biggest goal is to impact as many people’s careers as possible positively. Ultimately, I aspire to become a Chief Data Officer, but my primary focus is solving problems and leveraging technology. I’m open to how this goal manifests, as long as it allows me to make a meaningful difference.
What advice would you give to aspiring data and analytics leaders looking to drive innovation and efficiency?
My biggest advice for aspiring data and analytics leaders is to love what you do and genuinely care about others, not just yourself. When hiring, focus not only on resumes but also on candidates’ willingness to learn, execute, and fit within your culture. Staying updated with industry trends and technological advancements is crucial.
Additionally, you must be able to translate complex problems into understandable terms for the business, enabling them to take actionable steps based on your insights. Lastly, always maintain a healthy skepticism, question norms, and push boundaries—remember, ‘no’ is often just a suggestion.