SWB Executive Committee
Matt Brems
Chair
Executive Committee
Matt Brems is a data scientist and an award-winning educator. Brems leads the non-profit Statistics Without Borders, serving on its board since 2019 and leading the Executive Committee as Chair since 2021. Brems is also currently Lead Data Science Instructor for General Assembly. Brems has trained over 1,000 students in data science and Python with General Assembly since 2016. He earned General Assembly's inaugural "Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year" award out of 20,000+ instructors. Brems previously co-founded BetaVector, a data science consultancy. He has driven value with data in computer vision, finance, software, education, consumer-packaged goods, politics, and more. He mentors early-career technologists with the Coding It Forward Fellowship — earning their top mentoring award in 2022 — and the Washington Statistical Society. He earned his Master’s degree in statistics from Ohio State. At Statistics Without Borders, he has previously held the roles of Vice Chair, Director of Marketing & Communications, Acting Director of Operations, and Project & Client Management Team Lead.
Varun Garde
Vice Chair
Executive Committee
Varun Garde has been a SWB volunteer since 2016. He has over a decade of experience in pricing statistics, data visualization, CX and business analytics. In his full-time job, he works on Monetization and Business Planning at Microsoft. Varun began knowledge volunteering in 2012 when, alongside his fellow students, he was approached by an Ann Arbor air ambulance serving Central America to achieve operational breakeven. Since that experience, he's become increasingly passionate about the causes of literacy, health, and food security. His family also volunteers for local causes such as the park district and school health board. In his professional background, he's managed large budgetary responsibilities (greater than $10M) and overseen teams of statisticians and data science professionals, while managing communications with CXO level executives. Varun holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Fatema Zerin
Engagement Director
Executive Committee
Fatema is an Operations leader with experience in sales, operations, and customer experience. She has spent most of her career in the EdTech industry. Her passion for equity and social impact work led her to Statistics Without Borders. Prior to her position on the Executive Committee at SWB, Fatema led the Project and Client Management team, doubling the scale of the team. She finds joy in travelling and connecting with others.
Betty Su
Marketing & Communications Director
Executive Committee
Betty is a marketing and communications leader with extensive experience in brand building and growth in environments undergoing transformation. She has served in executive marketing leadership roles at the National Audubon Society and the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). At GMAC she redefined the brand’s identity and strengthened its reputation as an industry authority through diversity-focused thought leadership. At the United States Postal Service, she led a brand turnaround with the “Priority You” campaign, enhancing digital and retail channels, reaching younger audiences, and launching new revenue-generating programs. Betty is passionate about leveraging consumer insights and data-driven decision-making to fuel growth. Prior she held leadership roles in product marketing, global innovation and partnerships at Cadbury/ Kraft/ Mondelez and Time, Inc. She holds a BS in Economics from The Wharton School and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Michiko Wolcott
Operations Director
Executive Committee
A 20-year veteran of consulting in data and analytics, Michiko has extensive experience in the areas of analytical project design and execution, analytical product strategy, and organizational effectiveness for data and analytics functions. A Certified Management Consultant, she has worked globally with clients in financial services, media and communications, retail, healthcare and public health, life sciences, social services, as well as humanitarian emergency response and disaster response and recovery management. She is a member of American Statistical Association, Institute of Management Consultants, and International Statistical Institute, and has spoken at many industry conferences and forums across the North America, Europe, and Latin America. With fluency in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese, Michiko has led multi-national practices and has collaborated with clients and colleagues from across the globe. She is a disciplined visionary who brings a unique perspective with a creative yet structured approach to solving business problems, leveraging her broad background that even includes a doctorate in piano performance. Her prior experience includes serving as the Lead Data Scientist for North Highland promoting analytics best practices, and leading the international analytics practice at Equifax. Michiko holds a Master of Science in Statistics from Florida State University among other degrees from Florida State University and the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, and holds a certification in Product Management by Pragmatic Marketing. She is also an active volunteer in a leadership role for Statistics Without Borders, a pro-bono organization providing analytical services to support humanitarian and other missions for the public good.
Jean Opsomer
Past Chair
Executive Committee
Jean Opsomer is Professor and Chair in the Department of Statistics at Colorado State University. His main areas of statistical expertise are survey statistics and nonparametric methods. He is delighted to be able to assist SWB as it continues to expand its operations and develops a more effective organizational structure.