LAVA Talk on Data Science for Social Good: From Academia to Federal Consulting, with Kai Matheson (VC ’19), Accenture.
Friday, April 12, 2024 at 3PM in Rocky 310.

About Kai:
Kai works at Accenture as a data analytics consultant for the USDA. They build interactive data visualizations for national food insecurity programs and spearhead USDA’s Data Science Training Program. Kai is passionate about utilizing quantitative methods for social good. At Vassar, they made an effort to weave together their own “quantitative social science” curriculum: majoring in math, minoring in urban studies, and housing their thesis in the economics department along with a computer science advisor. Among their favorite experiences at Vassar was working as a Q-Tutor and SI. After graduation, Kai worked as a predoctoral research fellow at Harvard, contributing to academic papers on economic mobility and inequality. However, as life happens, they made a major pivot by going into consulting next. In the process, they learned how to prioritize mental health and balance. They aspire to return to academia later in their career.