Data4Good Competition Kickoff & Case Discussion

Dr. Professor Matthew Lanham is the founder of the national Data4Good competition. He is an Assistant Professor of Business Technology and Analytics at Butler University's Lacy School of Business, where he focuses on preparing students for impactful careers in data analytics through experiential learning and industry engagement. Previously, he served on the faculty at Purdue University's Daniels School of Business, where he led the MS in Business Analytics & Information Management program to national recognition, including receiving the 2023 UPS George D. Smith Prize. Learn more about him at MatthewALanham.com.

Dr. Naser Nikandish is an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University’s Carey Business School, where he also serves as Academic Program Director for the MS in Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence programs. In this role, he oversees both full-time and part-time offerings, shaping curricula that bridge advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and real-world problem solving.His teaching spans courses such as Practical Machine Learning, Python for Data Analysis, Simulation for Business Applications, and Operations Management. He is known for his award-winning instruction, having received the Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award three years in a row.

Daniel Whitenack (aka Data Dan) is a Ph.D. trained data scientist and founder of Prediction Guard. He has more than ten years of experience developing and deploying machine learning models at scale, and he has built data teams at two startups and an international NGO with 4000+ staff. Daniel co-hosts the Practical AI podcast, has spoken at conferences around the world, and occasionally teaches data science/analytics at Purdue University.