Mike is available for hire
Hire MikeMike Woodward
Verified Expert in Engineering
Data Science Expert and Developer
Boston, MA, United States
Toptal member since February 5, 2026
Bio
Mike is an accomplished data executive proficient in machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and statistical analysis. With exceptional leadership abilities, he excels at clear communication, both on stage and in writing, as evidenced by his portfolio of videos and articles. Mike boasts solid relationships with sales teams, customer success departments, and clients. His expertise extends to navigating common-law data contracts proficiently.
Portfolio
Axio
Python 3, SciPy, NumPy, StatsModels, Data Analysis
SecurityScorecard
Leadership, Management, Data Science, Python 3, StatsModels, Databricks...
True Fit
Python, Statistics, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Data Engineering
Experience
- Python 3 - 15 years
- Pandas - 10 years
- Statistics - 10 years
- Management - 10 years
- Technical Writing - 10 years
- SciPy - 10 years
- Public Speaking - 10 years
- Cursor AI - 1 year
Preferred Environment
Python 3, Pandas, SciPy, Scikit-learn, Cursor AI
The most amazing...
...thing I've developed was a commercial communications system that won the British Computer Society's IT Award for Excellence.
Work Experience
VP, Data Science
2023 - 2025
Axio
- Rebuilt the entire risk model from the ground up and sped up simulations by a factor of 10. Used the latest quasi-Monte Carlo methods and some novel simulation approaches to reduce computational cost.
- Reconstructed an intricate data schema into a streamlined and user-friendly format, enhancing operational speed. Developed a system to facilitate the transition from the previous schema to the updated version.
- Spoke at the risk conference on the similarities between risk modeling for insurance and warship defense.
Technologies: Python 3, SciPy, NumPy, StatsModels, Data Analysis
Data Science VP
2021 - 2023
SecurityScorecard
- Resolved the release process issues that previously led to significant customer problems, meeting executive objectives effectively.
- Built ML models in collaboration with the data science team to assess security posture based on scores, detect freemium users most likely to convert, and analyze data breach reports.
- Created a system to detect errors in IP allocation based on statistical distribution analysis and customer complaints. Used the system to highlight the worst mistakes and chipped away at the error rate.
- Cleaned up Salesforce data in a robust and low-risk way.
- Developed automated industry reports to drive leads. Created content at a historically low cost using data from Snowflake, Databricks, and AWS.
Technologies: Leadership, Management, Data Science, Python 3, StatsModels, Databricks, AWS IoT, Database Management, Tableau
Senior Head of Analytics
2017 - 2021
True Fit
- Led team of up to 15 analysts. Team won more company awards per head than any other team in the company. Kept my technical team extremely close to the business through individual and team initiatives (e.g., a bonus system).
- Created a quality tracking system that enabled us to find and prevent poor-quality data from entering the system. System based on Jenkins and used advanced statistics to detect otherwise impossible-to-find issues.
- Led team to work on analyzing A/B test results and building a higher-powered (in the statistical sense) alternative based on difference-in-differences.
- Spoke at international conferences, gave press interviews, wrote blogs and articles.
Technologies: Python, Statistics, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Data Engineering
Data Director
2015 - 2017
BitSight
- Evaluated and bought in new data sources, key to the company's ability to release new product features. Developed an in-depth understanding of data contract law.
- Built a system to track value-for-money for data sources and presented results to the board.
- Spoke at international conferences (as an invited speaker). Wrote blog posts and articles.
Technologies: Python
Experience
English Football League Analysis
https://github.com/MikeWoodward/English-Football-ForecastingSoftware that analyzes English league soccer results to find underlying patterns. It uses the same data to present novel analyses visually and leverages an LLM to provide details that data analysis can't.
Forecasting US Presidential Elections
https://github.com/MikeWoodward/SilkwormA US presidential election predictor that uses opinion poll data. It reads state-level opinion polling data and forecasts the number of electoral college votes each candidate would win. It also shows how the forecast changes during the election as new opinion polling data comes in and the probability distributions for electoral college votes are updated.
NWS LangChain App
https://github.com/MikeWoodward/NWS-LangChain-AppA simple Python weather app with a chatbot and generative AI. The app retrieves weather forecast data from the NWS given a zip code. It puts that data into Google Gemini to produce an English-language forecast. Finally, it presents a chatbot (with memory) that can answer questions about the forecast and only about the forecast.
App for Temperature and Humidity Sensor
https://github.com/MikeWoodward/UT330BAn app that provides a generic interface to a temperature and pressure sensor. This is a well-liked project and is included in the GitHub "Arctic Code Vault". The system works via a Bokeh (Python) interface that replicates all the functionality provided by the manufacturer on a Windows-only system. To do this, my colleagues and I reverse-engineered the entire protocol stack using a USB analyzer and the judicious use of a freezer and toaster.
Education
2006 - 2013
Master of Liberal Arts in Business Administration
Harvard University - Cambridge, MA, USA
Skills
Libraries/APIs
Pandas, SciPy, Scikit-learn, PySpark, NumPy
Tools
StatsModels, Tableau
Languages
Python 3, SQL, Python
Paradigms
Management
Storage
Database Management
Frameworks
Django
Platforms
Databricks, AWS IoT, Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Other
Cursor AI, Statistics, Leadership, Technical Writing, Public Speaking, Data Analysis, Large Language Models (LLMs), Bokeh, Data Engineering, Small Language Models (SLMs), Business, Business Writing, Data Science, Data Visualization, LangChain
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