Josh VanderLeest

I love connecting people across the data science community to share what they're accomplishing with data and help others do the same through community discussions, industry meetups, and more.

I'm a data science educator and community builder who wants to help you cultivate a community of practice for yourself. I talk a lot about the benefits of making genuine human connections, the power of vulnerability, and why we all benefit when we show up as our whole selves. I'm also the host of the Data Humans podcast where my motto is: data science is not one thing.

Josh is a Manager of Data Analytics in People Analytics at Progressive Insurance. Since joining the company, he has progressed through roles as a Data Analyst, Supervisor, and Manager. In his role, Josh leads a team conducting research, surveying, and doing data analysis—including AI initiatives—to support HR and the business. He utilizes tools like R, Python, SQL, and Tableau to provide analytical insights and reporting.

Before joining Progressive Insurance, Josh was a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Consulting Associate at The University of Akron, where he taught introductory psychology courses and contributed to organizational research projects. He holds a Master's degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from The University of Akron.