"Data plays a crucial role in every aspect of our lives."
Renowned Data Scientist Dr. Elizabeth Parker Joins the Forge Institute Advisory Board
Little Rock, AR, September 10, 2021 – Forge Institute, the Arkansas-based provider of cyber defense workforce training and threat analytic capabilities, announced today the addition of Dr. Elizabeth Parker to its Advisory Board. Dr. Parker serves as Sr. Director – Principal Data Scientist at Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield (ABCBS).
“Elizabeth brings exceptional private sector and data science expertise to the table,” said Lee Watson, Founder and CEO of Forge Institute. “Her perspective is crucial to our mission of making our companies, communities, and country a safer place from cyber threats and building the nation’s cyber and data science workforce.”
As a data scientist, Dr. Parker adds a distinctly different perspective to the Forge Advisory Board, which is comprised of national experts from industry and government.
“Data plays a crucial role in cybersecurity – and in nearly every aspect of our lives. The more we understand the capabilities of data and how to better manage it, the more secure we can become,” explained Dr. Parker.
Dr. Parker’s insightful view of the digital world has significant implications for cybersecurity. Earlier in the year. Dr. Parker led a day-long Forge Institute seminar catered to senior leaders at the National Guard Bureau’s Professional Education Center (PEC). The focus was strictly on data science, helping those in attendance to better understand the value of data, how it can be helpful, and why its security is so vital to the Nation. The seminar is emblematic of what Dr. Parker believes, is a crucial component to the Forge Institute's mission.
“In cyber, you want to eliminate all blindspots,” said Dr. Parker. “At Forge Institute, we want insight from every relevant angle.”
After earning her PhD in statistics from the University of Arkansas (UA), Dr. Parker performed roles at St. Jude Medical Research Hospital and UA before joining Arkansas Children’s Hospital as Research Manager and Analyst. Later, she served as Director of Financial and Statistical Analysis for Dillards before accepting her current position at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, where she is developing a data science organization within the insurance company.
If her career journey seems to branch wildly in places, it’s because data is so versatile in its applications, enabling Dr. Parker to apply her skills to any number of industries – from healthcare to academia, from retail to cybersecurity.
“Data science is a formidable field with many portals. So any opportunity I have to join others to help enhance our opportunities surrounding data and analytics, I jump on it,” said Dr. Parker.
Data science may sound new to some, but in Arkansas, data science has long propelled the success of many high-profile companies, including Acxiom, FIS, JB Hunt, Walmart, Dillards and Tyson Foods - moving Arkansas from the Natural State into the Big Data State.
“I actually believe that when it comes to the use of data, Arkansas is ahead of most states,” said Dr. Parker. “We’ve managed data for decades, and many of the companies who are based here have used data to become Fortune 1,000 companies.”
With the support of the private sector, and public policies like Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Coding Initiative, Arkansas is poised to become a rally point for data science and cybersecurity. Forge Institute is guiding that goal to fruition, and it starts with assembling the best minds in the industry.
“Knowing that Forge Institute has the insight to create a consortium of advisors really speaks to their vision of leveraging multidisciplinary capabilities. It’s exciting to think about what innovations will come and how data science could be both leveraged and impacted long term and worldwide,” said Dr. Parker. “It’s an honor to collaborate with these forward thinkers.”
About Forge Institute
At Forge Institute, our mission is to empower our partners with advanced capabilities to achieve operational objectives. We forge exceptional talent and enable cyber threat analytic collaboration between the private and public sectors. Together, we are creating a more prosperous and secure economic future. For more information, visit the Forge Institute at: https://www.forge.institute.
Key Facts
Dr. Elizabeth Parker joins the Advisory Board of Forge Institute, applying her extraordinary data science acumen to the service of our nation’s cyber security
Forge Institute provides workforce training and innovative programming focused on leveraging new and emerging technologies
The Forge Institute Advisory Board is composed of experts from the public and private cyber sectors
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CONTACTS:
Jeremy Harper,
Press@Forge.Institute / 501-500-0812
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