In our latest Volunteer Spotlight, we delve into the inspiring story of Alena Placha, the lead of She Loves Data’s Dubai Chapter. Alena’s journey with She Loves Data began when she embraced the challenge of rejuvenating the Dubai chapter, a task that involved building the chapter from the ground up in a region new to her. This interview reveals not only the personal and professional transformations Alena has experienced through her involvement with She Loves Data but also highlights the broader impact of the organization on fostering data literacy and community engagement in the Middle East.
Interview with Alena Placha, the She Loves Data Dubai Chapter Lead
Q1: What motivated you to join She Loves Data as a volunteer, and how do you think your values align with the mission of the organization?
I was planning to move to Dubai, so when Jana (Co-Founder of She Loves Data) offered me the opportunity to restart the chapter there, I was incredibly happy and honored. I felt a great sense of responsibility in restarting the activities of SLD in a region that was entirely new to me, essentially starting from scratch. We had lost touch with the community over the years, so I had to start from the very beginning.
Q2: In what way/role have you been associated with SLD? Has your role changed, if so why and how?
I was asked to join as a Chapter lead right from the beginning, and I am still in that position.
Q3: Please share how SLD has impacted your life: a) personally and b) professionally?
I don’t know where to start. As I mentioned, I came to Dubai alone. The mission I took on with restarting SLD ME not only helped me build my professional network but also helped me find people who have now become more than just ‘work’ contacts. We have developed deeper connections and relationships because we aim for the same cause. Whether it’s overrated or not, doing good and helping others really connects people and brings them together. Having a positive impact on the people around you and society is so fulfilling and keeps me going. There are many inspirational stories here in the Middle East that need to be heard, and I believe SLD can provide the platform to do that.
So far, the feedback on SLD activities here has been amazing, and we are only at the beginning. The partnerships we have managed to create here are wonderful, and now I am facing a situation where we have so many plans but not enough people on the team. Fortunately, the team is already growing rapidly, and I know in my heart that this will accelerate even further.
Q4: Was there any challenge you encountered while volunteering with She Loves Data and how you or the team overcame it?
Yes, the biggest challenge was that we were completely unknown in the region, and I was here alone. I talked about SLD with literally everyone I met, telling them about the organization, what we have been doing for the past years, and encouraging them to join the community and work together. There are many women-focused initiatives in the region, so I had to create the right pitch to articulate what makes us different. But honestly, it was easier than I thought because SLD has done really amazing and impactful things, so it was ‘easy to sell’.
Q5: In your view, what has been the most significant impact of She Loves Data on the local or global community?
For me, the most significant impact is that we have a real, tangible, and measurable impact. This is something that sets us apart from other organizations in the region. Since we work with data, we know our community very well. We are bringing people together and offering free education, which is so underestimated and so important.
When I saw our signature programs, I was amazed. The curriculum is so well thought through that I felt like putting the creators on a pedestal because there is so much work, effort, and hours behind it.
In addition, I am honestly overwhelmed by the fact that people in SLD do this because they genuinely want to help others. The whole organization is volunteer-based; we don’t ask for any membership fee or premium subscription. It is free and for everyone. I feel that in today’s world, there are fewer and fewer things that are simply given for free with nothing but kindness and good intention.
Q6: Where do you see the role of She Loves Data in the future of data literacy and inclusion? How do you envision your continuing involvement?
I see there is enormous potential. We have already reached 17 different regions in the world, and I really hope we will continue to grow because I strongly believe that what we do could be incredibly beneficial to many regions where the impact would be unbelievable. For example, LATAM or Africa. The world is not just divided between the rich and the poor but also between the educated and uneducated, and the data literate and illiterate. If you look at the activities of UNDP and their World Data Forum program for sustainable development, the direction is clear.
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