Board of Directors
Executive Director: Amanda Makulec
Amanda Makulec is a data visualization leader who has worked with clients across the federal, nonprofit, and private sectors for more than a decade. Her work developing, teaching about, and leading teams to create data visualizations has extended across countries and tech stacks. She has volunteered as both the Operations Director for the Data Visualization Society and as a co-organizer for the DataViz DC meetup, and serves as a monthly co-host for Chart Chat. Amanda has a BA in Zoology and Sociology from Miami University and her Masters of Public Health from Boston University. @abmakulec | linkedin.com/in/abmakulec
OPerations Director: Kalp Patel
Kalp is a seasoned analytics professional with a passion for transforming data into strategic insights. With experience in Amazon’s Last Mile operations, Kalp specializes in building data-driven solutions and leveraging visualization tools to improve decision-making processes. His background includes data modeling, visualization, and reporting, which he combines with a collaborative approach to drive impactful projects. As a dedicated member of the data visualization community, Kalp is committed to advancing data literacy and supporting a diverse network of practitioners.
Programs Director: Zane Wolf
Zane Wolf is an interdisciplinary scientist with a love for science communication and data storytelling. She has a Ph.D. in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University and is currently studying Data Analytics and Visualization at MICA. Zane brings to the Early Career Director role over 8 years’ of experience in higher education teaching and interdisciplinary academic research as well as a love for building supportive communities. As a prior Media & Design Fellow at the Bok Center for Learning, she led workshops, collaborated on departmental data visualization projects, and learned full-stack web development. Outside of work, you can probably find Zane outdoors pursuing her interests in wildlife photography and rock climbing.
Events Director: Open for application
Join us as our next Events Director by completing this form.
Publications Director: Elijah Meeks
Elijah has spent over a decade doing data visualization in academia and industry. His work has included digital humanities scholarship such as ORBIS: The Stanford Geospatial Network Map of the Roman Empire as well as internal analytical applications for Netflix and Apple. In addition, he wrote D3.js in Action (a best selling book, including a second edition) and created Semiotic, a React-based charting library that allows you to create not only traditional charts but also hierarchical and network diagrams. Elijah’s current emphasis is on how to create intuitive data visualization features in Noteable, a notebook based collaborative analytics solution for which he is a co-founder, to enable more robust, more sophisticated approaches for generating and answering important questions.
Partnerships Director: Pierre Carpentier
Pierre Carpentier, B.Eng, MBA, contributes over 15 years of experience in accelerating digital transformation and fostering innovative solutions in technology. With a history of aiding giants like Raytheon Technologies & Phillips Healthcare in maximizing their digital investments, Pierre has led international teams and shared his expertise on global panels about data standardization. He brings expertise in partnerships and grants that will help advance DVS’ growth in the coming years.
DE&I Director: Katja Forbes
Katja is a seasoned leader in the digital industry with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation. As an expert in areas such as CX, UX, data science, and product design, as well as emerging technology, she is a highly sought-after keynote speaker. She has been recognized as one of the top 50 Australian professionals, Top 10 Women Disruptors, and as one of Westpac/Australian Financial Review's '100 Women of Influence’. Currently, as Head of Client Experience at Standard Chartered Bank, she leads a team to create high-impact products and services that promote financial inclusion and contribute to a net-zero carbon future. She has also served as an International Director and Vice President on the Global Board of the Interaction Design Association (IxDA).
Contact: deib@datavisualizationsociety.org
Early Career Director: Simran Parwani
Simran is still figuring out her dataviz journey and where she wants to hone her craft next. She has produced data visualizations for a wide range of contexts and teams from the Census Bureau to FiveThirtyEight to Axios. She has a Bachelor's degree in Interactive Media and Computer Science from NYU Abu Dhabi. She loves the intersection of dataviz and community-building, working as a dataviz instructor at the University of Vermont's GIS program and volunteering with DVS for the past 3-4 years. She is always open to chatting with others in the dataviz community--except during a football game when she's screaming at the TV.
Communications Director: Hailey Hannigan
Ever since Hailey took a data visualization course her senior year, she has been fascinated by the intersection of data and visual design. This interest led to a job as Research Associate in Mathematica’s Global Division where Hailey uses data design to improve the visual identity of client deliverables and help other members of the division recognize the importance of presenting cutting-edge research findings with polished data visuals.
Hailey has held a variety of positions, ranging from writing speeches in the Scottish Parliament, writing for the campus political journal and working as an editor in the social sciences lab, to a researcher in a Utah National Parks survey and the Global Politics Lab Manager. A Salt Lake native, you can find Hailey biking, hiking, skiing, climbing, and enjoying the outdoors all year round. She has a degree in Political Science and speaks fluent French.
Knowledge Director: Richelle Pittella
Richelle Pittella is a Certified Knowledge Manager with a passion for design and accessibility. She has over ten years of professional experience in nonprofit settings and currently serves as Senior Manager, Grant Operations & Knowledge Management at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, which is based outside of Los Angeles, California. In her spare time, Richelle volunteers to co-lead an affinity group for large grantmakers through PEAK Grantmaking. She also serves on the Accessibility Committee for NTEN and is currently pursuing her Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) credential from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). Richelle has a BA in Entrepreneurial Studies from Temple University and a MS in Integrated Design, Business and Technology from the University of Southern California.
EDUCATION Director: Danne Woo
Danne Woo, an accomplished Assistant Professor of Design Technology at Queens College, CUNY, specializes in creative coding, physical computing, web design, and data visualization. With over 20 years in the field, his expertise spans graphic design, interaction design, full-stack development, and data visualization design. Danne holds a Masters of Professional Studies (MPS) in Design Technology from New York University's Interactive Telecommunications Program, where he focused on projects related to data visualization, musical innovation, and large crowd interactions. He is the Founder and CEO of Datavisual (www.datavisu.al), a platform for designing data-driven graphics, and his work has been featured in Fast Company, The Guardian, and Engadget. He is recognized for his innovative approach in the field, including setting a Guinness World Record for the largest group playing the same video game on the same screen. Danne's passion for merging technology and data with design principles has established him as a notable figure in the field of data visualization, recognized for both his educational contributions and innovative professional projects.
Committee Support
Publications Creative Director: Julie Brunet
Building on her former position as a literature teacher and 5 years as an art director in a creative agency, Julie Brunet is currently an independent data & information designer. She believes in the accessibility of information through design and the virtuous role data designers can play in a society shaped by the ever-increasing amount and complexity of data. She also has a tender point for data-humour, data-collage and other creative data-shenanigans that she exercises on her Instagram.
@datacitron | LinkedIn | Instagram | Behance
Publications Content Editor: Teo Popescu
Teo Popescu is the Creative Manager at KUOW, Seattle’s NPR station and a board member of the Society of Professional Journalists Western Washington. She manages all data visualizations, graphics, interactive pieces, illustrations, and video projects across KUOW’s website and social accounts.
She is a firm believer in the power of great data visualization to make media more inclusive, build context for complicated stories, and stick in our memories. When not designing or collecting data, you can find her reading unnecessary books about the history of obscure things.
@tpop_creations | LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok | Website
Communications manager: Jane Zhang
Jane is a designer turned marketing specialist with a passion supporting other dataviz practitioners. She has previously shared her own career journey through confereneces and publications such as Datafest and Nightingale. As a Communications Manager, she brings her previous work experience in design and marketing to help the community grow.
@janezhgw | LinkedIn
Virtual Assistant: Brittany Whitsett
Brittany is a virtual assistant who is passionate about helping others. An avid learner, she constantly strives to expand her knowledge and help others thrive. Outside of work, you'll find her baking, traveling, and taking photographs in nature.
Advisory Council
Katy Börner - Professor at Indiana University Bloomington
Vetria Byrd, PhD - Assistant Professor at Polytechnic Institute
Alberto Cairo - Knight Chair at the University of Miami and author
Amy Cesal - Data Visualization Consultant and Instructor
Alark Joshi - Associate Professor at University of San Francisco
Giorgia Lupi - Partner at Pentagram
Tamara Munzner - Professor at The University of British Columbia
Mark Palmer - Advisor to the Board at Correlation One and DVS
Richard Silvester - Founder & CEO at Infogr8
Steve Wexler - Founder of Data Revelations
Previous Board Members
Co-founder and Programs Director:
Amy Cesal
Co-founder and Events Director:
Mollie Pettit
Partnerships Director:
Julia Krolik
Knowledge Director:
Neil Richards
Early Career Director: Simran Parwani
Publications Director: Jason Forrest
Knowledge Director: Sarah Schöttler
Programs Director: Jill Brown
Operations Director: Angel Velarde
Partnerships Director: Elizabeth Connor
Education Director: Monica Gragg
Events Director: Marília Ferreira da Cunha
Partnerships/Communications Director: Alex Royston
Programs Director: Jennifer Dawes
Operations Director: Kathryn Daugherty
Events Director: Emily Kund