The goal of this interview series is to inspire and help people to transition their career into a new or next experimentation related role. In this edition Miranda Kroehl shares her journey. She is Senior Director of Data Science and Experimentation at Charter Communications .
Don’t underestimate the power of networking and demonstrating your passions—it could lead to unexpected opportunities down the line.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Hey there! I’m Miranda Kroehl, based in sunny Denver, Colorado, originally from Rapid City, South Dakota. With a love for math and data, advanced degrees in Biostatistics, and the desire to continually make things better, I’ve found my home in data science and experimentation.
Currently, I’m the Senior Director of Data Science and Experimentation at Charter Communications, where I dive deep into data to spark innovation and improve outcomes. Before that, I was the Assistant Director at the Center for Innovative Design & Analysis (CIDA), where I collaborated on a wide variety of really cool research projects and mentored aspiring statisticians and data scientists.
Outside the office, you’ll catch me enjoying the great outdoors with my family—twin boys, my husband, and our fluffy Sheepadoodle pup. When I’m not adventuring, I’m channeling my creative side through art, music (I’m a piano enthusiast!), and whipping up delicious meals. I also love to travel, and am gearing up for a trip to Ireland this summer!
I’m excited to share my experiences and insights with you all, hoping to inspire and guide fellow data enthusiasts on their journey. Cheers to the wonderful world of experimentation and data science!
What is your current experimentation role and what do you do?
In my role as Senior Director of Data Science and Experimentation at Charter Communications, I lead our company’s experimentation efforts. Starting with just one data scientist and engineer, I’ve built and managed a multidisciplinary group that includes our software team (responsible for maintaining our internal experimentation application), a data engineering team (handles our data infrastructure and production jobs), and two data science teams (responsible for the development of data products and providing analytical services for our partners).
How did you enter the experimentation space? What was your first experimentation related role? Share your origin story here.
My entrance into the experimentation space was far from conventional, but it’s a fun story and I hope it inspires others to put themselves out there. As a first-year master’s student in biostatistics, I stumbled upon an unexpected opportunity at a biomedical meet-up. Witnessing a VC competition where entrepreneurs pitched their innovations, I found myself drawn to one small company about to embark on pre-clinical studies. Seizing the moment, I convinced them of the necessity of a biostatistician to design their animal experiments, and to my surprise, they agreed to bring me on as a consultant. With little experience under my belt, I sought guidance from a senior clinical trials faculty member on campus. Thankfully, he graciously offered his mentorship and all ended well. Now, I’ll add that I never portrayed myself as having more experience or knowledge than I did. I was in a clinical trials design course at the time, had been working as a research analyst, and was confident I could figure it out based on what I already knew. The entrepreneur trusted in my confidence and gave me the chance.
Fast forward through years of schooling and work at Anschutz Medical Campus where my passion for collaborating with industry partners grew, ultimately propelling me toward a transition from academia to industry. Drawn by the prospect of leading an experimentation program, I found myself at Charter Communications, where my blend of statistical expertise, data science proficiency, and appetite for challenges aligned perfectly with the company’s needs. It’s been a whirlwind journey, but one that exemplifies the opportunities if you are willing to jump in and get your hands dirty.
How did you start to learn experimentation?
My journey into experimentation began during my graduate studies in Biostatistics, where I gained foundational knowledge in experimental design and analysis (including experience such as in the story above). Throughout my academic and professional career, I’ve applied these skills to a diverse range of projects, spanning from pre-clinical and clinical trials to behavioral research studies and causal modeling. Each project served as a learning opportunity, deepening my understanding of experimentation and its real-world applications, which I believe are nearly limitless.
How do you apply experimentation in your personal life? (what are you tinkering with or always optimizing?)
In my personal life, I’m a self-proclaimed data nerd, always seeking out patterns and optimizing wherever I can. One instance where this tendency may have gone a bit overboard was during my twins’ infancy, where I meticulously tracked their sleep patterns in a CSV file. Using their nursery camera to monitor when they fell asleep and woke up, I was on a mission to decipher patterns indicating they were ready to drop a nap, or my worst nightmare, know in advance when they might be sleep deprived terrors. While it may have been a tad extreme, this experience underscores my passion for applying experimentation and data analysis even in the most personal aspects of life. Though those days of intense tracking are behind me, the spirit of optimization still thrives, albeit in less sleep-deprived endeavors.
What are you currently doing to keep up with the ever-changing industry?
To keep up with the ever-evolving experimentation landscape, I’ve adopted a multifaceted approach. One of my go-to resources is the TLC (Test Learn Culture) Slack group and channel. Additionally, I keep a close eye on industry leaders like Ron Kohavi (LinkedIn is great for this) and blogs of prominent platforms for valuable insights.
What recommendations would you give to someone who is looking to join the experimentation industry and get their first full-time position?
For anyone looking to break into the experimentation industry and land their first full-time position, my top recommendation would be to prioritize networking and informational interviews to connect with professionals in the field to learn about different companies and roles. I always advise people to treat these conversations as opportunities to absorb knowledge rather than job-seeking endeavors. Have your elevator pitch polished, showcasing your background and genuine interest in experimentation, but focus on learning about the company and the person you’re speaking with.
I’ve personally experienced the impact of such interactions—recently, I hired an individual who reached out to me simply to learn more about the field. Though she didn’t ask for a job outright, her genuine curiosity and enthusiasm left a lasting impression. So, don’t underestimate the power of networking and demonstrating your passions—it could lead to unexpected opportunities down the line.
Which developments in experimentation excite you? How do you see the field changing in the next 5 to 10 years?
I’m thrilled by the growing culture of data across almost every industry. Over the next 5 to 10 years, I foresee the platforms that enable experimentation becoming even more sophisticated and powerful and companies embrace experimentation as an integral part of their decision-making process. And of course, I’d be remiss not to mention AI when talking about the future of, well, anything. I see AI-powered platforms disrupting the industry, enabling better experimental design and decision-making through synthesis of large volumes of information coming out of an experiment. However, amidst these changes, the fundamental principles of rigorous experimental design will remain unchanged.
Is there anything people reading this can help you with? Or any parting words?
As we embrace the future of experimentation, let’s remember the collaborative spirit that propels us forward. In that spirit, I want to thank ChatGPT for their support in crafting my responses. Here’s to a future brimming with innovation and discovery in experimentation!
Which other experimenters would you love to read an interview by?
No specific names come to mind, but I’d love to read about different perspectives coming from product teams and designers who don’t necessarily have a statistical background, but are using experimentation to drive their success.
Thank you Miranda for sharing your journey and insights.
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