Breaking In: My Unconventional Path to Business Analysis
Speaker: Jing Walker
Before transitioning to IT, Jing served as an International Advisor at CARF International, where she transformed medical rehabilitation programs through quality framework implementation.
In this TEDx-style talk, Jing will share her journey into business analysis through a mid-career switch, highlighting the challenges, turning points, and practical lessons learned along the way. From "what I wish I knew when I started" to a real look at "a day in the life of a BA," this talk is packed with honest insights and relatable takeaways.
Whether you're considering a leap into business analysis or just starting, this session will help you gain clarity, confidence, and direction.
A BA’s Christmas Carol: Lessons from the Future
Speaker: Jay Bammeke
Jay is a seasoned professional consultant specializing mainly in Business Analysis and Business Architecture, and Product Owner roles. Jay’s career spans over 16 years across at least 20 companies, clients across over a dozen industries, and experience in well over 50 projects, including countless different technologies, systems, and platforms.
Implemented via agile, waterfall, and hybrid frameworks, it’s safe to say that versatility; adaptability are at the cornerstone of what makes Jay a great business analysis professional. Outside of work, Jay is a husband and father to 3. As if life weren’t busy enough, he is an avid football player and fan (Arsenal being his choice of poison), is into his whisky, and enjoys opportunities to give back through his local church and other related charitable or community initiatives.
Imagine waking up to a visit from your future self—a version of you who has navigated nearly two decades of Business Analysis and is here to share the wisdom that could change everything. In this TEDx-style talk, Future Jay the BA travels back in time to reveal the four fundamental lessons he wishes he had known before embarking on his BA career.
Through engaging storytelling, practical frameworks, and a touch of humor, Jay distills his biggest insights:
- Understanding the foundation—Before defining what a BA does, you must first grasp the true essence of a project.
- BA’s are the ‘What’ people—The best BAs aren’t just analysts; they are the architects of clarity.
- Character first, skills second—Certifications and training matter, but the real differentiator is who you are, not just what you know.
- Change is inevitable, so embrace it—Like Thanos, change is unavoidable—but instead of fearing it, successful BAs learn to harness it as a powerful force for growth.
If Past Jay had known and applied these lessons earlier, his BA career would have skyrocketed—and for those willing to act on these insights, their success is just within reach. Will you take the lessons from the future and transform your journey today?
Life as a Young Business Analyst: Starting Strong in Your BA Career
Join Joe Haslam and Lauren Hutchinson as they share their experiences navigating the early stages of their business analysis careers. In this engaging and honest session, Joe and Lauren reflect on how they each found their way into the profession, the challenges and wins along the journey, and what they've learned along the way.
They’ll also shine a spotlight on the Young Business Analyst (YBA) Network, discussing their roles as ambassadors, what the network is doing to support new and aspiring BAs, and how you can get involved.
Speakers: Joe Haslam and Lauren Hutchinson
