Data and Drams

Welcome to Data & Drams. In this episode, I was joined by Craig Hayes, an IT and general business executive who has spent the last 25 years building and managing global teams at an immense scale.
From leading Fraud and Risk operations in Cape Town to serving as Senior Vice President of Business Operations for Mastercard, Craig has navigated some of the most complex transaction chains in the world.
He’s now the Head of IT Transformation at Sonic Healthcare, where he is currently driving a global uplift of 50,000 seats across seven countries. 
We dove into his core belief that data and people are the only two variables that matter when you’re trying to achieve the impossible. 
Craig offers a rare look at the 'changing landscape' of IT leadership, specifically how we foster resiliency and adaptability in teams that are spread across five continents.
Whether you're curious about the future of the Brisbane tech scene, the philosophical side of AI, or just want to hear a great story about historical figures over whisky, this episode is for you.
We poured a Bunnahabhain 12-Year-Old. Hailing from the shores of Islay, this dram is famous for its unpeated coastal character. While many Islay whiskys hit you dose of campfire smoke, the Bunnahabhain is more nuanced offering notes of hazelnut, dried fruit, and a subtle sea salt.
Craig’s perspective on the 'human side' of global infrastructure is something every leader needs to hear.
So pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink, and join Craig and I for Data & Drams.

Welcome back to Data and Drams!
In this episode, I’m joined by Gabriela, a cybersecurity leader whose career path started not in a server room, but on the open ocean. Transitioning from the maritime industry to the front lines of digital defence, she brings a unique perspective forged in the high-stakes environment of cruise ships, where risk management, resilience, and adaptability aren't just corporate buzzwords, but daily necessities.

We dive deep into the terrifying turning point that changed everything, a personal cyber breach that wiped out her life savings. Rather than backing down, Gabriela turned to mastering cyber forensics and completely reinventing her professional identity in a post-COVID world.

In this conversation, we explore:
How lessons from the sea apply to securing the cloud

Why involving cybersecurity early in the project lifecycle is the ultimate game-changer.

Her impactful work with Cybersecurity Champions of Tomorrow, dedicated to empowering the next wave of cyber professionals.

For our dram of choice, we poured The Balvenie 14-Year-Old Caribbean Cask. It was a fitting tribute to Gabriela’s maritime roots in the Caribbean and her current role in cyber, smooth and sweet on the surface, but backed by a rich, oaky resilience and a spicy finish that lingers long after the first sip. Much like her leadership style, it is a perfect blend of old-world discipline and new-world adaptability.

So, if you’re ready to dive in, pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink, and join Gabriela and I for Data & Drams.

Welcome back to Data and Drams!
In this episode, I'm joined by Soumya Nair, AVP Business Analytics & Transformation at PCCW Global. 
Soumya went from an inspiring computer engineer to data transformation leader with a rich history of navigating and shaping complex business landscapes. 
She has carved an intrapreneurial journey through the technology and transformation sectors, driven by relentless curiosity and a focus on impact over titles.
Soumya shares her fascinating career path, starting with a foundation in computer engineering, a deep dive into Robotic Process Automation, and how her MBA ultimately steered her toward leading transformational projects.
We take a deep dive into the essence of authentic leadership, the nuances of change management, and the critical value of clarity and adaptability in today’s fast-paced business world. We also explore how to effectively connect with colleagues cross-functionally and how Soumya envisions her personal impact story evolving over time.
Our dram of choice for this episode was a 12yo Red Breast, an iconic single pot still Irish whiskey, crafted using a unique mix of malted and unmalted barley, it’s then triple distilled and matured in both bourbon and sherry casks giving a perfectly balanced profile of smooth, fruity, and toasted flavours. 
Soumya’s approach to leadership is essential for anyone looking to make significant strides in their career and those wanting to make an impact.
So if you’re ready to dive in, then pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink, and join Soumya and I for Data & Drams.
P.S Just a heads-up, the 'Audio Gremlin' that got into Alan's recording found its way into this one as well, however thankfully we were able to recover it and the content was just too good. So if we’re sounding like we’re recording from the bottle of the barrel that’s why. Thanks for sticking with me, who knew gremlins liked whisky too.

They say the best stories are told over a shared drink. This year, I’ve sat across the table from actuarial legends, cybersecurity warriors, and digital pioneers.

I’ve tasted everything from the unfortunate "paint stripper" Samoan whisky to award-winning Tasmanian malts. But more importantly, I’ve learned that in the world of tech, the data is just the starting point—it’s the people and of course the "drams" that make a career worth savouring.Pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink and get ready for the 2025 Year in Review. I’m your host, Sarah, and this is Data & Drams. I created this show to break down the boardroom barrier and give you a seat at the table with the leaders shaping our industry.Today is a bit different. There’s no guest, just me, and a recap of the most powerful lessons we’ve "distilled" over the last few months. Whether you’re a developer looking for that next step or a leader trying to be the best for your team, this episode is your executive summary of the year.Thank you for joining me at the table this year. If you loved these episodes, I’d be thrilled if you took a moment to leave a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can also connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn over at Data & Drams for episode updates and my latest whisky recommendations. Until next year... pour yourself something good, and keep building a career worth savouring. Slainte!

Welcome back to Data & Drams!
In this episode, I was joined by Bradley Watson, the Founder and CEO of Akela Group, a leading consultancy that just celebrated its 5th anniversary.
With over 30 years of experience spanning the Australian Army, the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), and the public sector, his career has covered everything from cyber warfare and counterterrorism to disaster recovery.
Today, he works directly with Boards and CEOs to design national frameworks and uplift cyber capabilities across critical infrastructure—but in this conversation, we strip away the corporate strategy to look at crisis in its raw form.
Brad shares the story of a near-fatal house fire two years ago—a defining moment where his now co-owner, Jarod, saved his life. It’s a powerful discussion on how that terrifying experience reinforced the leadership lessons he learned in the military and still applies today.
Now, for the drams. For those listening on Apple you may want to head to Youtube/Spotify to get the full experience as there are some moments where we taste and savour our drams.
Mind you, it was less of a single pour and more of a tasting flight, Brad was generous enough to bring a lineup for our episode where we kicked things off with a Samoan Whisky that—to be honest I was expected beautiful tropical notes but actually—tasted a bit like paint stripper, he knew this as well and I’m fairly sure he just wanted to see me suffer.
But we recovered quickly, moving through The Singleton 18 Year Old, a Sullivans Cove Double Cask, some local Dog & Gun, and a smoky Talisker 10 Year Old.
The Talisker actually highlighted a fascinating point - Brad shared how the fire altered his sensory perception, to crave those intense, peaty flavours whereas before, he preferred a much smoother palate.
We eventually finished on a high note with the Glenfiddich 23 year old Grand Cru. Matured in American and European oak casks and finished in rare French cuvée casks, it was a silky, refined conclusion to an incredible tasting lineup.
This episode is a rollercoaster of emotion, high-level strategy, and whisky.
So pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink (maybe skip the paint stripper), and join Brad and I for Data & Drams.