Rising Stars of the Profession: Julia Buffinton

Julia Buffinton is a Senior Data Science Consultant at LMI, a consultancy dedicated to powering a future-ready, high-performing government. In this role, she has delivered technical solutions to customers including the Department of Defense, NASA, and the Army. Julia joined LMI after completing a master's degree in information and data science at the University of California, Berkeley while working full-time at McAllister & Quinn, a DC-based consulting company that supports clients in higher education and health care to secure federal funding. At McAllister & Quinn, Julia served as Grants Network Manager, overseeing the firm's network of contract grant writers and was promoted to Director of Strategic Initiatives, focusing on improving processes to increase efficiency and developing cross-practice coordination on priority projects. Julia started her professional career as a lab manager for the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language Lab at the University of Maryland. She has a bachelor's degree in linguistics from Cornell University, with minors in cognitive science and computer science.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

In early 2020, I led the establishment of LMI's Women in Data community of practice, the mission of which is to strengthen LMI's inclusive culture and foster diversity and inclusivity in data science and similar technical fields, with a focus on gender.

Building an inclusive atmosphere in data science and other technical fields, where women and minorities are underrepresented, is a priority for me personally and LMI as a whole. Our Women in Data group serves to raise awareness of these diversity challenges and empower women to succeed in technical roles. Since its launch, we've hosted dozens of professional development and networking events, presented at regional Women in Data Science conferences, and grown our membership to over 90 people.

What advice would you give a professional just beginning a career in consulting?

Now is the time to try different things – make sure to stretch yourself and explore projects and topics that may be outside of your comfort zone. The first step in building your own brand as a consultant is figuring out who you are and what you want to be known for, which sometimes takes a little experimentation. You never know what you'll stumble into that may become your next passion.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

I particularly enjoy the variety of projects I've been able to work on, the different clients and domains I've been exposed to, and most importantly, my colleagues. LMI has built a supportive and collegial atmosphere; it's energizing to come to work at a place where I get to share ideas with smart and motivated people on how to solve the government's hardest problems.

What's the best advice – personal or professional – you've ever received?

When I was worried about a mistake I made in my first job out of college, my mother reassured me that "you don't work in a hospital – no one is dying." Mistakes happen, and it's important to stay calm and maintain perspective on the situation. If I'm feeling stressed about a deadline, or if something doesn't go as planned, I take a step back and remind myself that no one's livelihood is at stake, and it'll all work out in the end. Especially for young professionals in consulting, there's a lot of pressure to work long hours and perform at the highest level. Our work is important but it's also important to look out for our own mental health.

What does being honored as a Rising Star mean to you?

I'm incredibly honored to be recognized as a Rising Star. I've had a lot of fun as a consultant at LMI, and I work hard to deliver high-quality and impactful results to our clients. It means a lot to see that I have been able to make a difference. I am grateful to my colleagues, mentors, and sponsors at LMI who have helped me develop in my role as a consultant.