Building a world-class data org | Jessica Lachs (VP of Analytics and Data Science at DoorDash)

Jessica Lachs is the global head of analytics and data science at DoorDash, where she’s built one of the largest and most respected data organizations in tech. In her more than 10 years at DoorDash, she has served as the first general manager, responsible for launching new markets; the head of business ops and analytics; and the VP of analytics and data science. Previously, Jessica founded GiftSimple, a social gifting startup, and started her career at Lehman Brothers as an investment banking analyst. In our conversation, she shares:
• How to structure and scale a high-impact analytics organization
• Centralized vs. decentralized data teams
• How to pick the right metric and aligning incentives
• Advice for data people on how and when to push back
• Lessons learned from building a global data team
• How to foster a culture of extreme ownership
• The role of AI in improving analytics team productivity
• Advice for aspiring data leaders without formal training
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Find the transcript at: www.lennysnews...
Where to find Jessica Lachs:
• X: x.com/jesslachs
• LinkedIn: / jessica-lachs
Where to find Lenny:
• Newsletter: www.lennysnews...
• X: / lennysan
• LinkedIn: / lennyrachitsky
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Jessica’s background
(04:59) Centralized vs. embedded analytics teams
(10:52) The benefits of a centralized analytics team
(15:10) Balancing proactive and reactive work
(20:45) Advice on how to push back effectively
(24:20) Hiring for curiosity and problem solving
(28:57) Coming from a non-traditional background
(34:40) The early days and culture at DoorDash
(40:39) Encouraging cross-functional roles
(44:39) Defining effective metrics
(46:30) Simplifying metrics for better outcomes
(55:28) Focusing on edge cases and fail states
(01:00:12) Managing a global data organization
(01:02:31) Leveraging AI for productivity
(01:05:25) Building diverse and skilled data teams
(01:08:40) Lightning round
Referenced:
• How Netflix builds a culture of excellence | Elizabeth Stone (CTO): www.lennysnews...
• Riley Newman on LinkedIn: / rileynewman
• Tony Xu on LinkedIn: / xutony
• Imposter Syndrome: Why You May Feel Like a Fraud: www.verywellmi...
• Stanley Tang on LinkedIn: / stanleytang
• Andy Fang on LinkedIn: / fangsterr
• Evan Moore on LinkedIn: / evanmoore
• How WeDash became the flagship employee program for DoorDash: careers.doorda...
• Leading with empathy | Keith Yandell (DoorDash, Uber): www.lennysnews...
• The Rose Code: www.amazon.com...
• Libby app: libbyapp.com/
• The West Wing on Prime: www.amazon.com...
• Alias on Prime: www.amazon.com...
• Joseon sunscreens: beautyofjoseon...
• Innisfree sunscreens: us.innisfree.com/
• John Steinbeck quote: www.brainyquot...
• Vanessa Roberts on LinkedIn: / vanessa-roberts-b8a509a
• Tia Sherringham on LinkedIn: / tiasherringham
• Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean on LinkedIn: / elizabeth-jarvis-shean...
Production and marketing by penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [e-mail].
Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.

[@Sece1]

Thank you man for adding the books! You have done a great job of adding the links by going extra mile!!!

[@Entrepreneur_in_progress]

Very insightful. It'll be beneficial to have more data folks on the show.
It would be great to have some folks talk about leveraging predictive AI (machine learning) for growth.

[@hcubill]

Loved this! Im a data analytics leader at my company and loved all the questions here Lenny! Keep broadening the areas of product!

[@whattimeisitnow124]

Thank you Lenny for bringing such a variety of business function views to us. One thing I believe is missing in product/business content these days are less heard of companies and people. There are companies out there that not a lot of people have heard of that are very succesful. For example the tech companies in Canada.

[@meranaamayush]

Yes! But bro also has limited bandwidth.

[@alexanderbSpeaker]

Lenny :) Great Interview :)

[@whattimeisitnow124]

At minute 34, she mentions doing tasks outside of your job description and references the company founder taking out the trash on Saturday nights. The founder is a million times more motivated to succeed because they reap all the rewards in the end. Why should an employee, who barely makes enough to live, care as much? I hate these kinds of comparisons. No, I don't care if you buy another yacht off the shore of Monaco.

[@tshradheya]

its the job of these VPs middle manager to show higher ups in good light and motivate employees to work harder(even though it may not have any benefit)
To me it always seemed fake and hence i always despise people manager jobs. They should realize that for them this company is their priority but its not the same for every employee

[@conykuo4308]

Hi, I used to think the same way as you, but when I saw more and more of this kind of statement from high level managers/ C-level people, it makes me rethink that maybe they earn where they are is because the extreme ownership mindset?

[@mzhigarev]

14:15 Also, think about it this way: if you keep things separate, you get a clearer picture of how a team or project is really doing. It's like, there's no reason to fudge the numbers ("cook the books") when you've got someone else checking your work. But if the marketing team is grading their own homework, well, they might make it look a little better than it really is, right?

[@swathisadagopan8211]

🎉