Tyrone Grandison Chief Executive | Keynote Speaker | Leader | Eisenhower Fellow | AAAS-Lemelson Invention Ambassador | Technology | Data Greater Seattle Area Connect Connect with Tyrone Grandison More actions The Data-Driven Institute Imperial College London Imperial College London See contact info See contact info See connections (500+) 500+ connections I am an experienced and award-winning leader. I have created and led organizations in crafting innovative solutions to some of the world's toughest business and societal problems. I am known for creating powerful visions and using them to drive improvement in complex, matrixed, and sometim... This media is a link This media is a document This media is a document This media is a document Show more Show more of Tyrone’s summary Articles & activity 20,461 followers Solving For The Real Problem Tyrone’s profile photo Tyrone Grandison Published on LinkedIn The year is 2020 and NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office (yes, it's real) has notified the world that an Extinction Level Event (ELE) - let's say a series of asteroids moving quickly on a collision course - is projected to wipe out the Earth in three months. What should our response strategy be? Do we: figure a plan to destroy the asteroids? (Thanks Deep Impact and Armageddon) craft a plan to get humans onto another planet? spend some time figuring out the circumstances behind the asteroids? I am betting that most people would go for Option 1. It is action-oriented. It solves the immediate issue before us. It provides a sense of security, safety, and forward movement. Unfortunately, neither Options 1 or 2 get you to a level of understanding of the root cause of the issue and instead of solving the problem, you most likely end up addressing a symptom. For Option 1, the possibility exists that the asteroids you destroy are a sign of things to come and that there are bigger, faster, weird-behaving masses right behind them. So, taking this approach may only buy us time. For Option 2, because there are no early detection systems on this new planet, we could be buying a few more months (as other asteroids are barreling towards this new planet), we could be getting humanity out of harm's way, or we may be putting the human race in a worst situation (if there are structural issues that make the new planet a ticking time bomb). Option 3 - determining the root cause of the situation - requires calm, focused, objectivity on the What, Why? Where? Who? When? and How? Filling out the scenario with this information not only guides us to the correct path to take, but helps lessen the chances of unforeseen and unexpected subsequent issues. It is well-known insight in computer science that formulating the problem correctly is far more valuable than rushing to a solution based on surface facts about the customer's pain points. However, it has become obvious that far too few people spend time trying to determine the root cause of a problem. Over the past month, I have been reading an increasing number of articles promoting solutions to issues that simply put a controlled solution box around a symptom, rather than solve the real problem. Let's take two areas: the refugee crisis and the diversity crisis in tech. Refugee Crisis Here is the existing narrative with regards to the Refugee Crisis: Global migration has reached an unprecedented scale. Millions of people cross borders every year in search of new opportunities, carrying with them enormous potential to contribute to economic development, address demographic challenges, and foster global interconnectedness. But global migration also comes with pressing challenges. Many migrants undertake perilous journeys only to be exploited or face deportation. Women and children are illegally trafficked across international borders and sold into slavery. Even legal migrants are facing a rising tide of xenophobic backlash. Global refugee numbers are continuously rising as civil wars and conflicts rage on. Climate disasters and changing environment will further cause the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. The current approaches to solving this issue revolves around answering the following questions: What would an effective system for governing global migration look like? Can we create a system for better distribution and regulation of refugee flows? How can we address xenophobia and growing radicalization in recipient countries? How can we better protect the rights of refugees? But what is the root cause of this crisis? Political unrest, civil war, and gentrification stem from unbalanced and unjust economic models and incentive schemes that promote discord, strife and conflict at the micro level in service of (personal) profitability for a select few at the macro level. This inequality and the inability of a few to empathize with others and view them as a part of their family drives the conditions that produce environments where the weak and powerless have to flee; in hopes of increased safety and the possibility of better opportunities. Much of this knowledge and nuance is hidden from most. Much of this activity is (covertly) performed by the elected representatives and wealthy citizens of the countries that refugees migrate to. The public tends to be blissfully unaware. With this knowledge hidden, the general populous is provided with a narrative that paints a picture of a distant problem, in a distant land, involving “others” and completely divorced from themselves, leading to an influx of people that want to drain their resources, take what is theirs, and erode their quality of life and their way of living. The critical first steps in solving this is with education, increased awareness, and empowerment. Educating powerful stakeholders that there are fruitful and lucrative alternatives, which are better for everyone in the long run. Educating the general public on their role, whether knowingly or unknowingly, in creating these crises. Educating the residents of the country that refugees are migrating to on empathy, on the benefits of immigrants, and on demystifying the fears and myths that they hold. Educating the world that addressing the refugee crisis is about more than crafting solutions around the consequences of the problem, but rather creating fundamental and positive changes that address the sources of the issue. Diversity in the Technology Sector Sad to say that since I wrote this piece in June of 2015, it is still relevant and the majority of people don't seem to get it - systemic racism is the root cause for the lack of diversity in computer science. Apple's diversity number haven't changed (more here). Companies are still holding talking sessions between white male and white female leaders on Diversity in Tech (more here). The narrative of it being bigger than race, that we should take incremental steps, and start with white women first is still being pushed (more here, here, here, and here). Accelerators, social entrepreneurs, and social venture capitalists are still being heralded as "the path" forward (more here and here). It appears that it is too difficult for people to be thoughtful, introspective, and to objectively name the root cause - a system built to ensure that one community succeeds at all costs and at the detriment of all other communities. The system needs to be changed to be fair and equitable for all, and its "in-power" community members need to re-socialized. Without this crucial first step, we are putting bandaids on the symptoms and not fixing the root cause. We can create solution layers on top, but still won't stop managers from discriminating and hiding it. These symptom solutions will only lead to new and interesting manifestations of the root cause. Please re-read "Real Talk About Diversity in Tech" and be real with me and yourself as to the problems we need to be looking at. Where are you seeing people addressing the symptom and not the root cause? 21 Likes 8 Comments Like Comment Share See all articles Jayde Lovell This was all your doing. Thank you so much for being the best coach ever. Tyrone commented Go out and advocate for everyone. Tyrone shared this 13 Likes Agreed Tyrone replied to a comment See all activity Experience The Data-Driven Institute Executive Director Company NameThe Data-Driven Institute Dates EmployedMar 2018 – Present Employment Duration10 mos LocationGreater Seattle Area The Data-Driven Institute seeks to catalyze and accelerate the process of solving public health problems, using the collective wisdom of the best approaches and data from the world. The Institute helps communities transform raw data into insights, products, policy and applications. This media is a document Becoming a Nation of Innovation Becoming a Nation of Innovation This media is a link The Data-Driven Institute The Data-Driven Institute Eisenhower Fellowships 2018 Zhi-Xing China Eisenhower Fellow Company NameEisenhower Fellowships Dates EmployedMar 2018 – Present Employment Duration10 mos LocationGreater Philadelphia Area Using China, the world’s most populous country, as my laboratory, I will apply health metrics data and document public health remediation strategies to learn about successful intervention pathways. Connecting with Chinese business leaders and officials at the ministries of health, statistics, science and technology to form collaborations and driving the path forward to an intervention playbook that can be used by any municipality wanting to solve their local issues. See less Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Chief Information Officer Company NameInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Dates EmployedOct 2016 – Mar 2018 Employment Duration1 yr 6 mos LocationGreater Seattle Area Led the IT team at IHME - an independent global health research center at the University of Washington that provides rigorous and comparable measurement of the world’s most important health problems and evaluates the strategies used to address them. Led the delivery of the Global Burden of Disease digital assets on an annual cycle, for the first time ever. Led the creation of IHME's first mobile application, Health Atlas, on both iOS and Android platforms. See less This media is a link Public Health Metrics On The Go Public Health Metrics On The Go This media is a link Using Data to Help People Live Healthier and Longer Lives Using Data to Help People Live Healthier and Longer Lives U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Chief Data Officer Company NameU.S. Department of Commerce Dates EmployedJul 2015 – Aug 2016 Employment Duration1 yr 2 mos LocationWashington D.C. Metro Area Enabled the data initiatives of the bureaus of the Department of Commerce (DOC). Ran operations and execution for the Data pillar of DOC’s Office of the Secretary. Created over 15 new data products for the Patent Office, the US CENSUS Bureau, NIST, NOAA, BEA, etc. This media is a link This media is a link This media is a link This media is a link +14 woyhd.org Co-Founder Company Namewoyhd.org Dates EmployedJan 2013 – Dec 2015 Employment Duration3 yrs LocationLondon, United Kingdom Developed technologies to help consumers determine the privacy of their mobile healthcare apps. The premise behind 'Who owns your health data?' is simple. We believe that everyone who downloads a health app should be able to make an informed choice before they download the app. At present, the terms of use and privacy policies are lengthy, complex and full of legal jargon. See less i18n_media-proxy-image_icon Pre-launch Homepage Pre-launch Homepage University of Technology Adjunct Professor Company NameUniversity of Technology Dates EmployedMay 2013 – Sep 2015 Employment Duration2 yrs 5 mos LocationJamaica Focused teaching and research on Computational Computer Science, with specific emphasis on Computer Security and Privacy. Advised Masters and PhD students in Computer Science. White House Presidential Innovation Fellows Presidential Innovation Fellow Company NameWhite House Presidential Innovation Fellows Dates EmployedSep 2014 – Jul 2015 Employment Duration11 mos LocationWashington D.C. Metro Area Developer Relations and Community Building for the CENSUS' CitySDK. Agile Product Management for Federally-funded initiatives. Facilitated the delivery of over 15 solutions to local problems that leveraged Census data through the award-winning CitySDK. This media is a link This media is a link This media is a link This media is a link U.S. Department of Labor Presidential Innovation Fellow Company NameU.S. Department of Labor Dates EmployedSep 2014 – May 2015 Employment Duration9 mos LocationWashington DC Worked with the US Department of Labor to drive and deliver innovation from all the department's data and systems to create opportunities for American citizens and companies. Co-led and contributed to the Sweat and Toil mobile app, which won the Department's top award for Innovation. This media is a link This media is a link This media is a link METIS, Inc. Managing Partner Company NameMETIS, Inc. Dates EmployedJul 2013 – May 2015 Employment Duration1 yr 11 mos LocationAshland, Oregon Used proprietary methodology, which combined the best of Lean Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints and Appreciative Inquiry to help companies successfully engage in complex root cause analysis to achieve peak team performance, reduce costs and grow profit margins and create new market offers leading to new revenue streams. Helped clients increase their revenue to exceed 30% over the next 12 months. See less This media is a link Metis Inc - Home Page Metis Inc - Home Page Proficiency Labs Intl CEO Company NameProficiency Labs Intl Dates EmployedJan 2013 – May 2015 Employment Duration2 yrs 5 mos LocationAshland, Oregon Oversaw the strategy and direction of the company, performs feasibility analysis on potential projects and personally manages and executes on the privacy , intellectual property and healthcare efforts. The company's focus is on solutions for the difficult problems and secure systems, specifically targeting problems that positively impact the greater social good. This media is a link Proficiency Laboratory international Proficiency Laboratory international Diversity in Privacy and Security Seminar (Di-PaSS) series Founding Co-Chair Company NameDiversity in Privacy and Security Seminar (Di-PaSS) series Dates EmployedJan 2014 – Jan 2015 Employment Duration1 yr 1 mo LocationUSA The Diversity in Privacy and Security Seminar (Di-PaSS) is a workshop series to educate undergraduate and graduate, minority and under-represented students on the Privacy and Security fundamentals and the basics around performing and documenting research in the field. We aim to teach, mentor and coach the next diverse generation of Privacy and Security professionals and researchers. See less i18n_media-proxy-image_icon Homepage Homepage This media is a link Diversity in Privacy and Security Seminar (Di-PaSS) series: Home Diversity in Privacy and Security Seminar (Di-PaSS) series: Home Wonder Women Hacks (Hackathon) Founding Partner Company NameWonder Women Hacks (Hackathon) Dates EmployedJan 2014 – Jul 2014 Employment Duration7 mos LocationLong Beach, CA Wonder Women Hacks has partnered with the California Women’s Conference, the nation’s largest running two-day forum attracts over 100,000 attendees, to offer a unique opportunity to directly interact with the same shared mission to strengthen the personal and professional development of women everywhere. This will be the first ever women’s hackathon to be part of the California Women’s Conference in its 30 year existence! The hackathon will explore and engage in five fundamental elements of a balanced life that are essential to women. Hackers will develop technology solutions that will solve challenges in the following areas: Physical Life, Community Life, Financial Life, Social Life and Career Life. http://wonderwomenhacks.com See less i18n_media-proxy-image_icon WonderWomenHacks Home Page WonderWomenHacks Home Page EqualityTV Chief Technology Officer / Co-Founder Company NameEqualityTV Dates EmployedNov 2012 – May 2014 Employment Duration1 yr 7 mos LocationGreater Los Angeles Area EqualityTV offers transformative shows, webisodes, films, music, and discussions that everyone can enjoy on a global scale. From lifestyle to music, reality to comedy, fashion to sports, we have it all—with a twist. EqualityTV is THE go to Network for all the information and entertainment you need to start. Embracing Alternatives. Dr Grandison leads and manages all technology-related aspects of the online media platform; from user interface design and interaction to infrastructure implementation. See less Hipaantrepeneurs Co-Founder Company NameHipaantrepeneurs Dates EmployedFeb 2013 – Dec 2013 Employment Duration11 mos LocationSan Francisco Bay Area Consulted on privacy and security compliance issues to healthcare companies. Performed HIPAA Risk Assessments, HIPAA Trainings, Focused HIPAA Reviews, HIPAA Compliance Auditing, and De-Identification & Pseudonymization services. i18n_media-proxy-image_icon Homepage Homepage IBM Services Research Program Manager, Core Healthcare Services Company NameIBM Services Research Dates EmployedFeb 2010 – Nov 2012 Employment Duration2 yrs 10 mos LocationSan Jose, California Coordinated research in Security, Privacy and Information Integration. Developed innovative (data ingest and extraction) technologies to allow advanced analytics projects to impact, transfer and ship quickly and more efficiently than state of the art technologies, while addressing the complex issues involved in processing (Broken English) text. Deployed the base technology package, MONGOOSE - MONitoring Global Online Opinions via Semantic Extraction - in the Automotive and Media and Entertainment industries. Developed query personalization techniques for healthcare systems. The technology automatically selected the correct number of personal profile items to use when personalizing a query about one’s healthcare information. Crafted the guidelines, policies, procedures and infrastructure to enable IBM Research to comply with the HIPAA and HITECH legislation. This framework was deployed to other divisions of IBM. Helped define a formal model for cloud computing, to enable cloud computing forensic analysis, which is currently being explored by academia. Alongside the Wellness team of the IBM Taiwan Collaboratory, developed privacy solutions for ingesting and presenting sensor data from medical devices in order to provide patients with secure monitoring of their wellness and fitness goals. Worked with IBM software division to create a common platform for integrating healthcare data to provide a “Single View of a Patient” and a “Single View of a Disease” from a disparate number of sources, in real-time, with high accuracy and completeness constraints. See less This media is a link This media is a link This media is a link This media is a video IBM Almaden Research Center Manager, Data Disclosure Research Company NameIBM Almaden Research Center Dates EmployedSep 2004 – Feb 2010 Employment Duration5 yrs 6 mos LocationSan Jose, California Worked with the IBM Research Headquarters team to evaluate outstanding research accomplishments, streamline research processes and enhance the day-to-day efficacy of researchers worldwide. Led the global, matrixed research team (>12 people) in creating a new way of creating music charts - one which incorporates the web, online communities and social networks - the Sound Index project – for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The project involved using data from Google Groups, Last FM, Bebo, YouTube, MySpace, iTunes and BBC to determine the artists and songs that are hot and which are not at the current moment on the Internet today. The information was visualized and displayed using Flash and AJAX technology from NovaRising Corp. Developed technology for personalized chronic disease management - Health-e-Assistant, which leveraged traditional and Web 2.0 data sources to provide a patient with a dashboard of possible action paths and likely outcomes. Created and co-led the research team (>60 people from India, China, Germany, Switzerland, California and North Carolina) in the formulation, design and delivery of IBM's Shipment Information Sharing Services (SISS), which is a federated network that enabled parties in the transportation and logistics industry to have real-time product visibility, while guaranteeing privacy and sovereignty of their databases. His novel contributions to the project involved the definition of the system architecture and development of the query processing elements of SISS. Co-created technology to address excessive circumvention of security and privacy technology in healthcare information systems – the PRIvacy Management Architecture (PRIMA). The technology elevated current healthcare systems from ones that purport regulatory compliance to ones that proactively safeguards patient healthcare data. See less This media is a link This media is a link This media is a link This media is a link This media is a document Manager IBM Almaden Research Center Company NameManager Dates EmployedSep 2003 – Dec 2007 Employment Duration4 yrs 4 mos LocationSan Jose, California Led the Hippocratic Database (HDB) First-Of-A-Kind (FOAK) Project through the acquisition of a million dollars in research funding to start and sustain the project. Dr. Grandison constructed the overall execution plan, interfaced with over sixty clients to validate the technical and business viability of the effort, helped the IBM Netherlands team to secure a significant deal to build out the Proof Of Concept (POC) for the Academic Medical Center's production environment, led the technology transfer efforts for the research team's deliverables, enabled IBM’s successful bid for the Government of Taiwan’s Biobank project - a multi-million dollar win in the Healthcare sector in Asia-Pacific for IBM and oversaw the successful deployment of Hippocratic Database technology in the Netherlands and India. Dr. Grandison also initiated the inclusion of Fine-Grained Access Control (FGAC), which is based on the cell-level enforcement technology from the HDB Active Enforcement component, into IBM’s DB2 z/OS offering, demonstrated that HDB technology can be applied to Healthcare, Finance, Government, Legal and Scientific Repositories and transferred HDB technology to the Intelligent Trade Lanes (ITL) and Websphere RFID Information Center (WRIC) products. Led the Hippocratic Database Commercialization effort –developing the long term strategy for the deployment of HDB technology, executing on this strategy and driving the HDB Active Enforcement and HDB Compliance Auditing components through the Asset Commercialization process. During this process, he worked closely with the Export Regulations, Intellectual Property (IP) Pricing, IP Law, Contracts & Negotiations, Asset Commercialization Process and Asset Technical Review teams to ensure that all the key deliverables were created properly and reviewed. Both services assets were launched in mid-November 2005. Led groundbreaking work in RFID traceability and privacy-preserving mobile device-to-device communication. See less This media is a link This media is a link This media is a link IBM Almaden Researcher Center Senior Software Engineer Company NameIBM Almaden Researcher Center Dates EmployedSep 2003 – Sep 2004 Employment Duration1 yr 1 mo LocationSan Jose, California Led the creation of technology solutions for privacy-preserving sharing of medical information across Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs), solutions for database forensics and technologies for mining of distributed RFID data networks. Along with Security and Privacy Practice of IBM’s Global Business Services (GBS) and IBM Zurich, defined and instantiated the concept of “Data-Centric Security”. The Data-Centric Security Model (DCSM) articulates a strategy to communicate, in simple terms, with C-Level executives about their security and privacy needs. See less This media is a link Protecting privacy while sharing medical data between regional healthcare entities. Protecting privacy while sharing medical data between regional healthcare entities. This media is a link Data-Centric Security Data-Centric Security University of Queensland Researcher Company NameUniversity of Queensland Dates EmployedJul 2002 – Dec 2002 Employment Duration6 mos LocationBrisbane, Australia Conducted novel research in trust logic – augmenting the subjective logic trust model to handle conditionals and base rates. This media is a link Conditional Inference in Subjective Logic Conditional Inference in Subjective Logic Imperial College London Tutor, Laboratory Assistant, Teaching Assistant Company NameImperial College London Dates EmployedSep 1999 – Jun 2002 Employment Duration2 yrs 10 mos LocationLondon, United Kingdom Tutored and provided laboratory and teaching assistance for the following courses: Reasoning About Programs, Artificial Intelligence, Logic, Discrete Mathematics, Computational Complexity, Declarative Programming, Architecture I, Operating Systems II, Operating Systems Concepts and graduate programming in Prolog, C++ and Java. Show 5 more experiences Show fewer experiences Education Imperial College London Imperial College London Degree NamePhD Field Of StudyComputer Science Dates attended or expected graduation 1999 – 2003 IBM TJ Watson Research Center IBM TJ Watson Research Center Degree Namemicro MBA Field Of StudyBusiness Dates attended or expected graduation 2005 – 2005 University of the West Indies University of the West Indies Degree NameMSc Field Of StudySoftware Engineering Dates attended or expected graduation 1997 – 1998 University of the West Indies University of the West Indies Degree NameBSc Field Of StudyComputer Science, Economics Dates attended or expected graduation 1994 – 1997 Jamaica College Jamaica College Show fewer education Volunteer Experience Seattle Human Rights Commission Commissioner Company NameSeattle Human Rights Commission Dates volunteeredOct 2018 – Present Volunteer duration3 mos Cause Civil Rights and Social Action The Seattle Human Rights Commission was established in 1963 to advocate for justice and equal opportunity, to advise the City of Seattle on human rights issues and to collaborate with public and private sectors in order to educate them on methods to prevent and eliminate discrimination city-wide. Innovative Data Mining & Advanced Analytics Partners (IDMAPs) Chair, Advisory Board. Company NameInnovative Data Mining & Advanced Analytics Partners (IDMAPs) Dates volunteeredJan 2018 – Present Volunteer duration1 yr Cause Science and Technology IDMAPS provide clients with expertise in Big Data Architecture, Data Governance, Business Intelligence Reporting and Dashboards, Advanced Analytics & Data Science, Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence, Business Process Management & Optimization. The team has over 50 years of combined experience in Information Technology, Telecommunications and Data Management experience garnered across various sectors and industries including Government, Financial Services and Telecommunications. Social Justice Fund NW Black Led Organizing Giving Project Member Company NameSocial Justice Fund NW Dates volunteeredSep 2018 – Present Volunteer duration4 mos Cause Civil Rights and Social Action This Giving Project supports community organizing led by and for Black communities and communities of African descent who are working to end anti-Black racism and discrimination, support and invest in Black leadership, and sustain movements for Black liberation to achieve a world where Black lives are no longer systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. This grant will therefore fund and help sustain the momentum of groups who are organizing to build power for Black communities and improve the quality of Black life in the Northwest. PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION FELLOWS FOUNDATION Secretary Board Of Directors Company NamePRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION FELLOWS FOUNDATION Dates volunteeredSep 2017 – Present Volunteer duration1 yr 4 mos Cause Science and Technology The PIF Foundation works to support the PIF program, to connect alum and sponsors, to promote alumni projects and accomplishments, and facilitate conversations about how to continue to ensure success and expansion of the program and its activities. PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION FELLOWS FOUNDATION Team Captain - Board of Directors Company NamePRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION FELLOWS FOUNDATION Dates volunteeredSep 2016 – Sep 2017 Volunteer duration1 yr 1 mo Cause Science and Technology Presidential Innovation Fellows represent the best talent our nation has to offer to deal with the new challenges of today. As entrepreneurial leaders in design and technology, fellows are asked to take on difficult, multi-headed and technologically-oriented problems and create transformational changes to make a real and lasting impact. The Presidential Innovation Fellowship Foundation is an alumni organization for all former Presidential Innovation Fellows, the PIF Foundation serves to preserve the history and development of the program over time. The PIF Foundation works to support the PIF program, to connect alum and sponsors, to promote alumni projects and accomplishments, and to coordinate get-togethers to promote continued conversations about how to continue to ensure success and expansion of the program and its activities. Operation Code Vice Chair Of The Board Of Directors Company NameOperation Code Dates volunteeredJan 2017 – May 2018 Volunteer duration1 yr 5 mos Cause Economic Empowerment Operation Code provides an efficient way into a tech career for veterans and their families. We work directly with Senators, Congressmen, and Congresswomen to allow veterans total control of their future by permitting the use of the GI Bill on coding bootcamps.