Meet Chris, A Senior Business Analyst

We had the opportunity to connect with Chris Stanga, Senior Business Analyst, to learn more about his expertise in business analytics, data visualization, and data integration. Chris brings a problem‑solving mindset and a passion for continuous learning that helps clients turn complex data challenges into clear, actionable solutions.

What specific problems do you solve with your expertise in business analytics, data visualization, and data transportation?

I help organizations make sense of disconnected and complex data so they can make better decisions, faster. Many clients struggle with having data spread across multiple systems that don’t naturally communicate with each other. I work to bring that data together, ensure it’s accurate, and present it in a way that’s easy to understand and act on. That often means identifying gaps in data flow, resolving inconsistencies, and building visualizations that turn raw data into clear insights. Instead of clients spending time questioning their data, they can trust it and focus on using it to improve performance, efficiency, and outcomes.

What advice would you give someone new to your field? 

Back when I was finishing my undergraduate degree, I was asked where I wanted my degree to take me. This was seventeen years ago. I stated that I wanted to apply that knowledge to creating and working for a Fortune 500 company. I am a constant learner and teacher and never would I have thought that working for a company like Interstates could afford me that opportunity, to not only work for one but multiple entities that are ranked in that group. My advice would be to dream big early and continue to learn and grow. The possibilities are endless.

What skills do you think are most important for success in business analytics and data visualization?

Strong problem-solving skills are at the core. The ability to break down complex issues and methodically work toward a solution is critical. Equally important is communication. Being able to translate technical findings into clear, actionable insights for a non-technical audience is what ultimately drives value. Curiosity and a willingness to continuously learn are also key. The tools, technologies, and best practices in this field are constantly evolving, so staying adaptable is essential. Finally, attention to detail matters more than people often expect. Small inconsistencies in data can lead to major misunderstandings, so being thorough and precise is a must.

What do you most often advise clients to do when they’re trying to improve a data or analytics process?

The first thing I recommend is to simplify. Many data challenges come from overly complex processes that have grown over time without being reevaluated. Taking a step back to understand the core objective—what decision needs to be made and what data supports it—can eliminate unnecessary noise. I also encourage clients to prioritize data quality over quantity. Having more data isn’t always better if it isn’t reliable or consistent. Building a strong foundation with clean, well-structured data makes everything else—from reporting to advanced analytics—more effective. Finally, I stress the importance of making solutions user-friendly. Even the most technically sound system won’t deliver value if people don’t understand or trust it.

What's the most interesting challenge/project that you've solved? 

Debugging solutions has always been an educational driver for me. It’s like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, but you're not able to find that one missing piece. I was working on a solution for a client that engaged with multiple systems. What made this project stand out was the level of uncertainty involved. I was working across multiple systems, most of which I understood well, but there was one that I hadn’t worked with before. That added an extra layer of complexity because I couldn’t rely on experience to guide me. The challenge became a true investigation—working through each system, validating assumptions, and narrowing down potential points of failure. At first glance, everything appeared to be functioning correctly, which made it even more interesting. The issue wasn’t obvious and required digging into the smallest details. Ultimately, the root cause came down to something very simple: a single yes/no checkbox. That contrast—between the complexity of the overall system and the simplicity of the issue—is what made it so engaging. 

Moments like that reinforce the importance of patience and persistence in problem-solving. They also create great learning opportunities, not just for me but for others, because they highlight how even the smallest elements can have a significant impact on a larger solution.

What technology or innovation are you excited about in your field? 

Traditionally, I have worked in a field with a considerable amount of code that requires a human to interact with a keyboard. With the current impact and growth of artificial intelligence, both efficiency and accuracy can be improved. Generative AI (designed to create new, original content—such as text, images, videos, audio, and code—by learning patterns from massive datasets) can help address many of these needs while freeing developers to focus on higher‑value work.

On the other side of solution implementation, agentic AI (autonomous systems that act independently to achieve specific, complex goals with minimal human oversight) will allow this developer to improve their output productivity and quality by allowing the AI to resolve and implement solutions while freeing the developer to move to the next solution. Solution development will still need human governance for control issues, but I am excited to see this elevate many technological solutions like never before.

What does a typical day look like in your role?

No two days are the same, which is part of what I enjoy most. A typical day usually involves a mix of collaborating with clients, troubleshooting data or system issues, and developing or refining solutions. Some days are focused on debugging and identifying the root cause of a problem. Other days are spent building data pipelines or creating dashboards that help tell a story with the data. There’s also a strong element of communication—working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders to make sure solutions align with business needs. It’s a balance of problem-solving, development, and continuous learning, especially as new tools and technologies evolve.

What gets you excited about your job?

I am a continuous learner and teacher. My drive comes from the wide variety of technologies that Interstates works with. It is rare to come to work each day without learning something new or working with a new technology. I enjoy learning, but I also enjoy sharing what I learn with others. The best part is working alongside like‑minded people who value teaching and sharing as much as I do.

Chris’s focus on simplifying complex data, improving data quality, and building solutions people can trust reflects the impact he brings to every project. His combination of technical skill, communication, and curiosity continues to make a difference for clients at Interstates.