Jessica Lachs: Why centralized data beats embedded analysts

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

July 14, 2024

Duration

1h 19m

Channel

Lenny's Podcast

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Jessica Lachs is the global head of analytics and data science at DoorDash, where she’s built one of the largest and most respected data organizations in tech. In her more than 10 years at DoorDash, she has served as the first general manager, responsible for launching new markets; the head of business ops and analytics; and the VP of analytics and data science. Previously, Jessica founded GiftSimple, a social gifting startup, and started her career at Lehman Brothers as an investment banking analyst. In our conversation, she shares:

• How to structure and scale a high-impact analytics organization
• Centralized vs. decentralized data teams
• How to pick the right metric and aligning incentives
• Advice for data people on how and when to push back
• Lessons learned from building a global data team
• How to foster a culture of extreme ownership
• The role of AI in improving analytics team productivity
• Advice for aspiring data leaders without formal training

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Find the transcript at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/building-a-world-class-data-org-jessica-lachs Where to find Jessica Lachs:

• X: https://x.com/jesslachs
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-lachs/

Where to find Lenny:

• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com
• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Jessica’s background (04:59) Centralized vs. embedded analytics teams (10:52) The benefits of a centralized analytics team (15:10) Balancing proactive and reactive work (20:45) Advice on how to push back effectively (24:20) Hiring for curiosity and problem solving (28:57) Coming from a non-traditional background (34:40) The early days and culture at DoorDash (40:39) Encouraging cross-functional roles (44:39) Defining effective metrics (46:30) Simplifying metrics for better outcomes (55:28) Focusing on edge cases and fail states (01:00:12) Managing a global data organization (01:02:31) Leveraging AI for productivity (01:05:25) Building diverse and skilled data teams (01:08:40) Lightning round Referenced:

• How Netflix builds a culture of excellence | Elizabeth Stone (CTO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-netflix-builds-a-culture-of-excellence
• Riley Newman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rileynewman/
• Tony Xu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xutony/
• Imposter Syndrome: Why You May Feel Like a Fraud: https://www.verywellmind.com/imposter-syndrome-and-social-anxiety-disorder-4156469
• Stanley Tang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanleytang/
• Andy Fang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fangsterr/
• Evan Moore on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmoore/
• How WeDash became the flagship employee program for DoorDash: https://careers.doordash.com/blog/wedash-doordash-employee-program-how-does-it-work
• Leading with empathy | Keith Yandell (DoorDash, Uber): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/leading-with-empathy-keith-yandell
• The Rose Code: https://www.amazon.com/Rose-Code-Novel-Kate-Quinn/dp/006305941X
• Libby app: https://libbyapp.com/
• The West Wing on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/West-Wing-Complete-First-Season/dp/B000KZPG04
• Alias on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Alias-Season-1/dp/B00748O13S
• Joseon sunscreens: https://beautyofjoseon.com/
• Innisfree sunscreens: https://us.innisfree.com/
• John Steinbeck quote: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/john_steinbeck_103825
• Vanessa Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-roberts-b8a509a/
• Tia Sherringham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiasherringham/
• Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-jarvis-shean-141a7966/

Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com. Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Lenny Rachitsky

  host

• Jessica Lachs

  guest

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Lenny's Podcast, featuring Lenny Rachitsky and Jessica Lachs, Jessica Lachs: Why centralized data beats embedded analysts explores how DoorDash Built a Centralized, Impact-Driven World-Class Data Organization Jessica Lachs, VP of Analytics and Data Science at DoorDash, explains how she built one of tech’s most respected data orgs by positioning analytics as a strategic, impact-driving partner rather than a service function.

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