Meet Our MSA Alumni
Eric O'Connor (’19)
Eric O'Connor’s path to data science began in an unexpected place—leading teams and making tactical decisions in the military. After earning his MSA degree from Georgia Tech, he transitioned into a role where data drives strategy and innovation. In this alumni spotlight, Eric shares how the MSA program helped him build the analytical mindset needed to tackle complex problems, adapt to new technologies, and deliver insights that shape real-world outcomes.
Gautam Krishna (’15)
Meet Gautam Krishna, Director of AI Products and a proud graduate of the very first Georgia Tech MSA cohort! In this insightful interview, Gautam shares how he broke into the world of data science, what drives him every day in the fast-evolving field of AI, and the advice he'd give to anyone chasing a career in analytics.
Chris Mast (’17)
Meet Chris Mast, CEO and founder of Lean Basketball Analytics and Georgia Tech alum, who’s transforming basketball coaching by leveraging advanced data analytics. From developing a patented platform for coaches to launching an AI-powered March Madness bracket tool, Chris merges his passion for sports and analytics to help teams strategize and improve performance. Discover how his work with smaller Division 1 schools and innovative practicum projects empowers coaches worldwide—and how a key skill from Georgia Tech’s MSA program revolutionized the way he communicates complex data.
Xiaochen Zhang (’16)
What does it take to turn data into impact? In this episode of the MSA Alumni Spotlight Series, Xiaochen—Director of Data Science Analytics at Razorfish—shares how empathy, collaboration, and a deep curiosity for unexpected outcomes have shaped his journey from Georgia Tech’s MSA program to leading machine learning initiatives in the digital marketing space. From surprising results in energy experiments to the lessons learned in late-night group projects, Xiaochen offers thoughtful insights and practical advice for anyone looking to build a meaningful career in data science.
Anna Riehle (’21)
Anna Riehle, MSA alumna, shares how the program’s collaborative culture and technical training gave her the confidence to tackle big data challenges at Capital One. From late-night study sessions at Clough to working with billions of records in the cloud, she reflects on the skills and experiences that shaped her career.
