In this episode of "How I Met Your Data," hosts Sandy Estrada and Anjali Basal touch on their recent experiences at pivotal data management conferences, sharing insights from FIMA in Boston and Data Universe in New York. They discuss the latest in GenAI, networking opportunities, and the dynamic interplay of ideas at these community events. Joining them is Rachel Workman, VP of Data at SoundCommerce, who sheds light on her unconventional journey through the data landscape. Rachel offers a deep dive into the often-overlooked gap between data teams and business operations within many organizations. The conversation also tackles the lure of constantly chasing the next big innovation. Rachel and the hosts explore the impacts of frequent project pivoting—from talent turnover to accumulating technical debt. Additionally, they introduce the concept of metric trees to transparently demonstrate ROI and discuss why organizations should steer clear of regular shifts in priorities. Blending technical insights with human stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone aiming to effectively bridge the data divide in today's organizations.