Empowering Data-Driven Decision Making: Rachel and Tinu’s Journey in the Business Intelligence Fellowship

In today’s world, data-driven decision-making is essential for organizations to create meaningful impacts, and the NeighborWorks America Business Intelligence (BI) Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for professionals to develop the skills needed to harness this power. Rachel Tutwiler and Atinuke “Tinu” Diver had the opportunity to participate in this fellowship program, which focuses on enhancing organizations’ capacity to understand and utilize data for better outcomes.

The BI Fellowship is designed to help organizations like DHIC elevate their understanding of the data they collect. During the fellowship, Rachel and Tinu focused on learning how to use data visualization tools like Tableau, a widely used software for presenting data in visual formats. These visualizations make complex data more digestible, helping stakeholders to quickly grasp insights that would otherwise be lost in rows of numbers. “People are so visual,” Rachel explains. “Turning data into a picture rather than a narrative often has a more substantial impact.”

Another of Rachel’s main takeaways was the practical use of Power BI, Microsoft’s alternative to Tableau, which DHIC is now implementing. Rachel has been diligently working on building interactive dashboards to provide her team with quick snapshots of essential data. These dashboards will be especially useful during property tours for funders or government representatives, where up-to-date information about residents, income levels, employment, and length of tenancy can be accessed instantly with just a click. 

The fellowship has not only been about learning new tools but also about rethinking DHIC’s overall approach to data. Rachel shares how the process has sparked internal conversations about data collection and usage. “We’ve had conversations like, ‘Are we collecting data in a way that we can actually use it?’ This has opened the door for deeper discussions about the organization’s infrastructure and how we can better prepare to make decisions based on the insights gleaned from our data,” she reflects. 

One standout aspect of the fellowship has been the mentorship component. Rachel was paired with a mentor from Community Housing Partners, who has been instrumental in guiding her through the data journey. The mentorship goes beyond technical training; it focuses on how to strategically apply these data skills to further DHIC’s mission. Despite the fellowship officially ending, Rachel continues to meet with her mentor monthly, benefiting from the ongoing exchange of ideas and expertise.

Rachel’s mentor also connected her with a technical data expert, providing valuable insights into navigating Power BI’s functionalities. This support has been crucial as DHIC transitions from Tableau to Power BI, which is more accessible but still presents a learning curve. “What’s cool about both Tableau and Power BI,” Rachel notes, “is that they allow us to answer many questions with one report, streamlining the process and making the data more accessible to everyone.”

The fellowship’s impact extends beyond creating reports and dashboards. Rachel emphasized that having the ability to visualize data has helped her team make connections they wouldn’t have otherwise noticed. For instance, they can now analyze the area median income (AMI) of residents and compare it to the broader community, allowing DHIC to assess whether they are serving the populations they intend to reach.

Ultimately, the BI Fellowship has equipped Rachel and Tinu with new technical skills and inspired a shift in how DHIC approaches data-driven decision-making. “It’s more than just the skills we’ve learned,” Rachel explains. “It’s about having new conversations and thinking differently about our work.”

This ongoing transformation at DHIC is a testament to the power of professional development opportunities like the BI Fellowship, which equip organizations like ours with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly data-centric world. As Rachel and the DHIC team continue to refine data processes, we are poised to make even greater strides in serving our communities and achieving DHIC’s mission of providing homes and opportunities that promote the well-being of those in our communities.

Take a look at the presentation that Tinu and Rachel gave for the BI Fellowship below.