Kendall McNeil — Data scientist
Kendall McNeil
Kendall joined the team in January 2024 as our Data Scientist.
What I do for city Leadership
In my role as the Data Scientist at City Leadership, I oversee data operations across all five of our programs: Choose901, Choose901 Alumni, Give901, Teach901, and Serve901.
My primary responsibility is to ensure the cleanliness, security, and accessibility of all data within City Leadership, spanning from Teach901 teacher retention survey responses to Choose901 Alumni educational development data.
By transforming this data into actionable insights, I provide our team with the necessary information to advance our mission of recruiting, developing, and empowering leaders within our vibrant city.
CONNECT WITH ME
How I got to Memphis…
Though my roots lie in Houston, Memphis now feels like home. I arrived here in 2012 to attend Rhodes College, and, apart from brief stints in New York City and Massachusetts, I've been here ever since.
My experience at Rhodes College was remarkable—a vibrant environment where intellectual discourse and critical thought thrived. It simultaneously nurtured in me a love for this city and a passion for educational equity.
Why I Choose901
As you probably know, Memphis holds a special significance—from its gritty charm and scrumptious cuisine to its distinction as the largest majority Black city in the US. Additionally, Memphis is the smallest city I’ve lived in, and I like its size.
It’s a unique and memorable place, and although I cherished my years in New York City, my husband and I often found ourselves reminiscing about Memphis. Eventually, we couldn’t help but return, drawn back by the city’s undeniable appeal.
MEET THE McNeils
McNeil Fam
Jackson and I have one adorable son!
In my free time, you'll find me enjoying quality time with my better half Jackson and our toddler. We’re often with friends outdoors, trying new restaurants, or playing ping pong. Additionally, I'm a blogger and reader, particularly drawn to authors who make research accessible to the general public.
Some recent favorites include:
Rescuing Socrates by Dr. Roosevelt Montás
All books by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Why We Sleep by Dr. Matthew Walker
Upstream by Dr. Dan Heath
Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS by Dr. Andy Field
And for lighter reading, the Children of Blood and Bone series by Tomi Adeyemi
As for my blog, I am particularly fascinated by the intersection of data science leveraging Python code and Industrial-Organizational Psychology (workplace psychology). I obtained my Master’s degree from Harvard University in I/O Psych, where I focused my research on the impact of trauma on knowledge retention. If you are a fellow data geek, please do reach out as I love connecting with others in the field—especially locally!