Asemio Decoded

Decoding ADMINISTRATIVE DATA with Dr. Amy O'Hara

Asemio Decoded is back for our fourth season! We are so excited to reintroduce you to Dr. Amy O’Hara from the Massive Data Institute at Georgetown University with this updated interview from 2022. In Decoding Administrative Data, we sat down with Dr. O’Hara to discuss her background in economics, her work at the U.S. Census Bureau, and how it all led her to her current role as a professor and a leading advocate for the use of administrative data to improve policy decisions. We share a 2025 take on some of the topics that we covered in the original interview, break down topics like PETs and study bias, and Amy points out barriers holding researchers and scientists back from utilizing administrative data to its fullest potential.  * How To Build Urban Data Infrastructure and Avoid Digital Displacement (Asemio x TIL) [https://asemio.com/library/resources/how-to-build-urban-data-infrastructure/] * Architecting Resilient and Adaptive Communities Through Technological Innovation (Asemio) [https://asemio.com/library/resources/architecting-resilient-and-adaptive-communities-through-technological-innovation/] * Strengthening interdisciplinarity in science communication education: promise, pleasures and problems [https://jcom.sissa.it/article/pubid/JCOM_2206_2023_Y02/] * Evaluation and utilisation of privacy enhancing technologies—A data spaces perspective [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340924005274] * The Evidence Act (2018) [https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4174] * Study Bias - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574513/] * Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Expiration of Pandemic Relief Led to Record Increases in Poverty and Child Poverty in 2022 [https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/expiration-of-pandemic-relief-led-to-record-increases-in-poverty#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20due%20to%20the,(See%20Figure%204.)&text=By%20lowering%20child%20poverty%2C%20economic%20security%20programs%20can%20yield%20lasting%20benefits.] * Administrative Data: U.S. Census Bureau [https://www.census.gov/topics/research/guidance/restricted-use-microdata/administrative-data.html#:~:text=Administrative%20data%20refers%20to%20data,well%20as%20some%20commercial%20entities.] * Georgetown University Faculty Directory: Dr. Amy O'Hara [https://gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/contact/0033600001nHXCZAA4/amy-ohara] Follow us! → https://www.asemio.com → https://www.linkedin.com/company/asemio → https://twitter.com/WeAreAsemio → https://www.instagram.com/weareasemio/ → https://www.facebook.com/weareasemio

Decoding ARCHITECTURE

What do we mean when we talk about data architecture? Is it all about the tech, or is data-work actually more people-work than it seems? How does digital architecture differ from the physical, or are they more similar than we might think? Listen as Jess and Aaron (and our editor, Matt) break down how data infrastructure gets built, the design constraints that guide architecture decisions, and how these things help to shape the world around us. * Organizational Dynamics: Centralization, Federation, Control, and Trust [https://medium.com/@winfried.etzel/organizational-dynamics-centralization-federation-control-and-trust-f7347b6324f6#:~:text=Centralization%20vs.,mentioned%20the%20principle%20of%20Subsidiarity.&text=Same%20goes%20for%20federated%20ownership,the%20responsibility%20of%20that%20domain.] * Google Data Science Research Paper: Attention is All You Need (2017) [https://proceedings.neurips.cc/paper_files/paper/2017/file/3f5ee243547dee91fbd053c1c4a845aa-Paper.pdf] * Build vs. Buy | What's the Right Choice for Your Organization? [https://asemio.com/library/blog/build-vs-buy/] * DigWatch | Geneva Internet Platform | ITU report: one-third of the global population remains unconnected [https://dig.watch/updates/itu-report-one-third-of-the-global-population-remains-unconnected] * The Staggering Ecological Impacts of Computation and the Cloud | The MIT Press Reader [https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-staggering-ecological-impacts-of-computation-and-the-cloud/] * The Social Dilemma | Homepage [https://www.thesocialdilemma.com] * What is Empathize? — updated 2024 | IxDF [https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/empathize] * About TIL | Tulsa Innovation Labs [https://www.tulsainnovationlabs.com/about] * Wind Resistance - How Skyscrapers Work | HowStuffWorks [https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/skyscraper4.htm] * Architecture Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/architecture#:~:text=%3A%20the%20art%20or%20science%20of%20designing%20and%20building%20structures%20and,method%20or%20style%20of%20building] Follow us! → https://www.asemio.com → https://www.linkedin.com/company/asemio → https://twitter.com/WeAreAsemio → https://www.instagram.com/weareasemio/ → https://www.facebook.com/weareasemio This show is produced by Erin Powell and Matt Stoker.

Decoding STATE DATA with Indiana CDO Josh Martin (Part 2)

In this special two-part episode of Asemio Decoded, we sit down with Josh Martin, the Chief Data Officer for the State of Indiana. Josh shares his journey of evolving Indiana’s approach to data collection, analysis, and implementation to drive smarter decision-making and better serve the people of Indiana. From crafting data strategies that foster cross-agency collaboration to the real-world applications that are transforming how the state supports its citizens, Josh dives into the pivotal role data plays in addressing wicked problems. We’ll cover how his team has tackled pressing social challenges, improved transparency, and helped key stakeholders make more informed decisions that impact residents on the ground. Tune in to discover the strategies, challenges, and successes of harnessing data at a state level, and how Indiana is setting a new standard for data-informed governance. Key Topics in Part 2: * How Does the State Decide Which Data Projects to Take On? * COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Data * How Do You Measure the Unmeasurable? * Improvements in Recidivism Using Data * Market Forces and the Pros and Cons of Private-Sector Influence on Wicked Problems * Privacy-Enhancing Technologies, Hash-Encoding, and Data Linkage in Indiana & Beyond * The Importance of (Federated) Governance in the Age of AI Listen to Part 2 now to unpack how the State of Indiana and Asemio are innovating in similar ways and what that means for the collective future we are building through our intentional use of data.  * Social Enterprise: What It Is, How It Works, and Examples [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/social-enterprise.asp#:~:text=A%20social%20enterprise%2C%20or%20social,used%20to%20fund%20social%20programs.] * The role of data in a world reshaped by COVID-19 | Penn Today [https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/role-data-world-reshaped-covid-19#:~:text=COVID%20has%20also%20increased%20the,of%20public%20spaces%20in%20general.] * Recidivism | National Institute of Justice [https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/corrections/recidivism] Follow us! → https://www.asemio.com → https://www.linkedin.com/company/asemio → https://twitter.com/WeAreAsemio → https://www.instagram.com/weareasemio/ → https://www.facebook.com/weareasemio This show is co-produced by Erin Powell and Matt Stoker.

Decoding STATE DATA with Indiana CDO Josh Martin (Part 1)

In this special two-part episode of Asemio Decoded, we sit down with Josh Martin, the Chief Data Officer for the State of Indiana, to explore the power of state-level data in shaping communities. Josh shares his journey of evolving Indiana’s approach to data collection, analysis, and implementation to drive smarter decision-making and better serve the people of Indiana. From crafting data strategies that foster cross-agency collaboration to the real-world applications that are transforming how the state supports its citizens, Josh dives into the pivotal role data plays in addressing community needs. We’ll cover how his team has tackled pressing social challenges, improved transparency, and helped key stakeholders make more informed decisions that impact residents on the ground. Tune in to discover the strategies, challenges, and successes of harnessing data at a state level, and how Indiana is setting a new standard for data-driven governance. Key Topics in Part 1: * The role of a Chief Data Officer in state government * Josh’s journey into State data and his department then vs. now * Evolving Indiana’s data ecosystem over two decades * Strategies for cross-agency data collaboration * How data is used to address social issues and community needs * The importance of transparency and relationship building in data efforts Listen to Part 1 now to get an inside look into the collaboration and resilience that fuels Indiana’s data strategies and Performance Management Hub. Tune into Part 2 next month to hear about how Indiana is innovating in new and exciting ways. * Indiana Management Performance Hub: About MPH [https://www.in.gov/mph/about-mph/] * Data Reuse: Use cases, challenges, and opportunities | Medium [https://medium.com/opendatacharter/spotlight-data-reuse-use-cases-challenges-and-opportunities-f4418e9f13f3] * Art of the Possible - Political Dictionary [https://politicaldictionary.com/words/art-of-the-possible/] * BI Tools - A Complete Introduction | HEAVY.AI [https://www.heavy.ai/learn/bi-tools#:~:text=Business%20Intelligence%20(BI)%20tools%20are,useful%20information%20for%20business%20purposes.] Follow us! → https://www.asemio.com → https://www.linkedin.com/company/asemio → https://twitter.com/WeAreAsemio → https://www.instagram.com/weareasemio/ → https://www.facebook.com/weareasemio This show is co-produced by Erin Powell and Matt Stoker.

Decoding EXCELLENCE with Brandon Lenhart

In this episode of Asemio Decoded, we briefly depart from tech to sit down with Brandon Lenhart, VP of Operations at Argonaut Private Equity in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With a depth of experience in strategic leadership- from the U.S. Navy to investment banking- Brandon brings a unique perspective on what it takes to achieve excellence in both a business and community impact. Jess and Aaron take a look into Brandon's journey, exploring the core values that have propelled him and, the people around him, and where those overlap with the values that we strive for at Asemio. Hear from three leaders striving for excellence as they discuss definitions of high achievement, the dangers of burnout, and the commonalities of great leadership. This conversation offers valuable insights for anyone chasing excellence in their own field. Tune in to hear Brandon's thoughts on the importance of self-worth and balancing success with a call to serve. This is an episode you won’t want to miss. Guest Bio:  Brandon Lenhart is the VP of Operations at Argonaut Private Equity, where he supports operational and strategic improvements within portfolio companies. Prior to joining Argonaut, Mr. Lenhart was an investment banker at Goldman Sachs in New York, NY after serving eleven years in the U.S. Navy as a F/A-18 Naval Flight Officer and graduating the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). Mr. Lenhart is an Oklahoma native and graduated from the United States Naval Academy and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. * Brené Brown [https://brenebrown.com/] * Burnout: Symptoms, Risk Factors, Prevention, Treatment | WebMD [https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/burnout-symptoms-signs] * The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study | European Journal of Preventative Cardeology [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2047487319897163] - full title: Associations of anger, vital exhaustion, anti-depressant use, and poor social ties with incident atrial fibrillation: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study * Preventing Employee Burnout Report | Indeed.com [https://www.indeed.com/lead/preventing-employee-burnout-report] * Why Rest Takes Hard Work | TIME [https://time.com/6566763/rest-takes-hard-work-essay/] * Mental Fortitude | Calm.com [https://www.calm.com/blog/mental-toughness#:~:text=Mental%20toughness%20is%20the%20capacity,and%20focused%2C%20especially%20under%20pressure.] * Burnout | Psychology Today [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/burnout#:~:text=Burnout%20is%20a%20state%20of,%2C%20caretaking%2C%20or%20romantic%20relationships.] Asemio Decoded is edited by Matt Stoker.  Enjoy Listening? Rate us on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/asemio-decoded/id1632634259]! Asemio is the technology, data, and consulting firm for mission-based nonprofit, government, and philanthropic organizations that are addressing today’s social problems and underserved communities. With a special focus in Salesforce, consulting, data analytics, and custom software development, we equip our clients with the data they need to do good. Follow Asemio [https://linktr.ee/weareasemio]