The hiring process has always been something of a litmus test for organizational culture, offering leaders a rare vantage point to view their own operations through fresh eyes. For the leadership team behind storytelling with data (SWD), the journey of expanding the team over the past couple of months has brought back familiar reflections, reminiscent of earlier days building analytical teams at tech giants like Google. Designing rigorous interview case studies, evaluating hundreds of applications, and conducting thoughtful candidate debriefs have underscored just how vital every single addition is to a tight-knit and mission-driven organization.
Today, that rigorous journey culminates with a major announcement for the community and its clientele: the official addition of two prominent professionals to the SWD roster—Alli Torban and Ryan Biesecker.
A Humbling and Rigorous Selection Process
When applications for the Data Storyteller role opened earlier this year, the response exceeded initial expectations. More than 150 candidates submitted their qualifications, setting off a wave of engagement that was as energizing as it was humbling for the team.
For a boutique organization where every team member fundamentally shapes how the company shows up for its clients, community, and partners, recruitment cannot be taken lightly. Each new hire introduces a distinct dynamic, altering the collective expertise and energy brought to collaborative projects. Consequently, SWD adopted an intensely deliberate approach to the hiring cycle. The process demanded a significant investment of time and resources from the existing staff, spanning meticulous application reviews, candidate exercises, multi-stage interviews, and deep, deliberative team debriefs.
The primary challenge throughout the search was not a shortage of qualified talent, but quite the contrary. Reviewers encountered an abundance of exceptional individuals who are actively doing meaningful work to elevate data communication across industries. Saying no to so many talented applicants proved to be one of the most difficult hurdles of the campaign.
A central objective maintained throughout the recruitment period was ensuring that every applicant—even those not ultimately selected—walked away with a positive, respectful experience. Given that a vast portion of the applicant pool already belongs to the broader SWD community, leadership has expressed a strong hope that these practitioners will continue their educational journeys alongside the organization, whether by participating in community challenges, engaging with the blog, or collaborating to push the data visualization and communication fields forward.
Meet the Newest Data Storytellers
From this highly competitive group of applicants, SWD has selected two individuals whose distinct backgrounds, technical acumen, and communication philosophies align closely with the organization’s core mission.
Alli Torban steps into the role bringing deep, recognized expertise in data visualization, data literacy, and human-centric design. Well-known across the data community as the host of the Data Viz Today podcast and the author of Chart Spark, Torban has spent years establishing herself as a thoughtful, creative, and influential voice in the data visualization space. Her professional ethos centers heavily on helping people truly comprehend and connect with data rather than simply looking at numbers on a screen.
At SWD, Torban’s contributions will span across the organization’s core pillars, including workshops, digital content, and community initiatives. Notably, she will take ownership of the SWD podcast, guiding its evolution into its next chapter while continuing to deliver thoughtful, insightful conversations to a global audience.
Joining her is Ryan Biesecker, who brings a robust background rooted in consulting and analytics. Throughout his career, Biesecker has partnered with diverse organizations to leverage data in answering complex business questions and making superior strategic decisions. He combines sharp technical capabilities with extensive client-facing experience and a natural talent for translating intricate analyses into clear, actionable insights.
Within the SWD ecosystem, Biesecker will play an active role in delivering workshops and shaping content. Additionally, he will apply his analytical expertise internally, helping the team examine patterns in client work and bringing a data-driven lens to strategic growth, relationship-building, and new opportunities for expanding organizational impact.
Implications for Clients and the Community
The expansion of the SWD team arrives at a crucial time of growth and sustained demand for effective communication training. By welcoming Torban and Biesecker, the organization significantly increases its capacity to partner with companies, agencies, and institutions through specialized team training programs.
More importantly, this growth is designed to scale capacity without compromising quality. The team remains deeply committed to preserving the thoughtful, high-standard experience that clients have come to expect from every engagement. Expanding the roster ensures that SWD can continue serving its existing client base and wider community while simultaneously broadening the reach of a discipline that leadership and staff care about so passionately.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the months-long journey of candidate evaluations, interviews, and final decisions, leadership regards it as a profound stroke of fortune that professionals of Torban and Biesecker’s caliber chose to align their careers with the company.
Each new team member brings the organization closer to fulfilling its ultimate mission: empowering individuals to communicate more effectively with data and driving positive, meaningful change through clearer understanding. As Torban and Biesecker step into their roles—with their voices and work soon appearing across SWD workshops, blogs, podcasts, and community channels—the broader organization stands ready for its next chapter of growth and impact.
