HSLopez School of Business Analytics Hosts 2025 Business Analytics and Data Leadership Forum

On Friday, November 21, students, staff, faculty and industry partners gathered for the 2025 Business Analytics and Data Leadership Forum, a half-day event designed to connect emerging analytics talent with leaders across the data industry.

Held at the University of Arizona Scottsdale Center, the forum featured keynote speakers Danny Kim, director of data science at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Rajiv J. Krishnamurthy, head of data science and ML engineering at Apple, and Neelakshi Mohta, senior director of business transformation at Honeywell, with welcome remarks by Dean Karthik Kannan of the Eller College of Management.

Keynote speakers discussed the importance of networking and building strong professional relationships, emphasizing that communication and business skills are just as essential as technical expertise. They also highlighted how making a meaningful impact on employers and peers is equally important as fulfilling job responsibilities.

Attendees also participated in two industry panels with junior associates from Honeywell, Carvana, Willscott and the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Panelists Trevor Volpe ’23 MBA/MSBA, Anish Reddy Middela ’23 MSBA, Nikhil Kumar Singh ’23 MSMIS, Hunter Graham EMBA ’27, Kyle Klessli, and Dallin Packer shared how networking played a key role in launching their careers. 

They also discussed how effectively using AI and machine learning in daily work is increasingly valued among today’s early-career professionals. Everyone offered examples of major projects they’ve supported and how data analytics guided decision-making throughout those initiatives.

The event aimed to give Master of Science in Business Analytics and a select number of Master of Science in Management Information Systems students direct access to industry leaders who could provide clear, actionable insights. By hearing from senior executives and young professionals, students gained a grounded view of current expectations in analytics roles and the opportunities available to them after graduation.

Gray Hunter, assistant director of the HSLopez School of Business Analytics, highlighted how the forum reflects both the HSLopez School of Business Analytics and the larger Eller mission:

“The Business Analytics and Data Leadership Forum embodies our core mission: creating meaningful bridges between the classroom and industry practice. When our students connect directly with leaders from Apple, Sony and Honeywell, they’re not just learning about data leadership, they’re developing it in real time.”

He added that seeing recent alumni on the panels made the experience even more impactful:

“Our students could see firsthand where an Eller degree can take them. Events like this aren’t extras—they’re essential. In just a half-day, students gained insights and connections that might otherwise take years to build. That’s the power of partnership between education and industry. It is a great day to be a Wildcat.”

The 2025 Business Analytics and Data Leadership Forum reaffirmed Eller's commitment to giving students both the knowledge and the networks they need to step confidently into analytics careers, showing once again the value of bringing industry to the classroom. The forum also signals the importance of the greater Phoenix area as a growing hub for analytics talent and innovation, a region that Eller and the University has made a priority for engagement and development.