Top 10 Data Science Mentors (2026)
Discover the top 10 Data Science Mentors in 2026. Expert coaches with proven success in delivering data science advice to applicants and companies alike.
Posted January 10, 2026
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Within Data Science, the right coach can sharpen your strategy and help you stand out in a field where the bar keeps rising. Below is a carefully curated list of proven coaches with deep domain expertise and mentorship track records. From C-suite leaders to recent grads who’ve cracked today’s market, you’ll find the specialist right for you. See all our coaches here.
Annie F.
Experience: Chief Data Officer with 30+ years in the data industry. Has built high-performing teams and led major data initiatives. Deep experience with hands-on mentoring across internships, first roles, and leadership transitions.
Specialties:
- Leadership progression
- Resume reviews and interview preparation
- Career acceleration for underrepresented professionals
Annie combines executive-level perspective with practical coaching. If you’re targeting your first DS role or negotiating a bigger offer, she brings thousands of resume reviews and hundreds of interviews’ worth of insight. As a woman in tech and CDO, she’s particularly supportive of underrepresented candidates ready to move faster.
"Annie is a no nonsense and empathetic mentor. After a decade working as a software engineer for a large company I wanted to interview for new positions. After discussing my experience and my goals she was able to guide me in revising my resume and positioning my past work in a way that would stand out from application to interview. She was also really helpful with evaluating offers and negotiation."
- Jennifer M., Coached by Annie and landed a role at Shopify
→ Book a free intro call with Annie
Michael H.
Experience: Director-level data science leader at Google, Uber, LinkedIn, Stitch Fix, and Pandora. Built teams across ads, marketplaces, and recommender systems.
Specialties:
- Job search strategy
- Career path design
- Stakeholder management
- Technical problem-solving
For candidates seeking real-world guidance from leading tech DS organizations, Michael offers both hiring insights and extensive experience in organizational design. He’s especially effective for anyone seeking a clear career path backed by the realities of building teams.
"Mike has helped me through several career transitions spanning 10 years, both within companies and between companies. He offers a very calm perspective to careers and changes in companies that balances my appetite for trying to do too much all at once. His advice has been a welcome voice just when it is needed."
- June A., Coached by Micahel
→ Book a free intro call with Michael
Sean A.
Experience: Former Machine Learning Engineer at BCG delivering AI solutions for top clients. Experience in scaling consumer experiences and building an AI-driven distribution company. Coached 50+ applicants with a direct style.
Specialties:
- Consulting applications
- Building and showcasing tangible products
- Practical portfolio strategy
- Navigating data-driven operations
Sean cuts through fluff and helps you ship work that speaks for itself. If you’re targeting top-tier consulting or want portfolio pieces that win interviews, his “get to the why” approach delivers. Ideal for ambitious candidates ready to take calculated risks and translate analytics into business impact.
→ Book a free intro call with Sean
Sonali M.
Experience: Product Manager at Microsoft focused on Azure AI Studio and Machine Learning. Background in CS and Economics, with experience in UX/qualitative research.
Specialties:
- AI/ML product thinking and execution
- Technical skill development
- Career development for aspiring data scientists
- UX and qualitative analysis integration
Sonali combines product management and ML platform expertise to help candidates build user-centered data products. She’s a thoughtful guide for early-career talent and career shifters.
"Sonali is a really good teacher, she helped me modify my BQ answers and give me some advice on how to interview. She has tons of experience and knowledge in data science, marketing, business."
- Alice A., Coached by Sonali and landed a role at Synergies
→ Book a free intro call with Sonali
Alex I.
Experience: 15 years in DS/Analytics across companies like Meta and LinkedIn. Mission-driven coach helping professionals make confident and informed career decisions.
Specialties:
- Career direction and role targeting in DS/Analytics
- Early-career strategy
- Management insights
- Practical job-search planning
Alex is ideal for candidates who need clarity and a plan. With experience spanning scrappy startups to Big Tech, he helps you choose the right path. Particularly strong for those navigating the fast-changing DS landscape.
"I had a great call with Alex today. I came prepared with my questions, and we were able to cover all the points I wanted to discuss. His insights were incredibly helpful, and I feel more confident moving forward with the strategies we talked about. Highly recommend!"
- Jyoti K., Coached by Alex
→ Book a free intro call with Alex
Vincent F.
Experience: Recent graduate who navigated interviews at top tech companies like TikTok and Lyft. Transitioned from a business background into data science by iterating on the process.
Specialties:
- Breaking in from non-technical backgrounds
- Technical and behavioral interview mastery
- Structured job-search playbooks
- Rapid iteration on applications and projects
Vincent has navigated the current market’s challenges and developed a repeatable system to overcome them. If you’re pivoting, his structured approach cuts guesswork and accelerates results. Expect a practical game plan that helps you stand out fast.
"I had a great experience getting my resume edited and receiving interview tips from Vincent. He is very knowledgeable and dedicates time for coaching sessions. Additionally, he thoughtfully spends time after the sessions to provide further support."
- Minoo Z., Coached by Vincent
→ Book a free intro call with Vincent
Monica T.
Experience: Staff Data Scientist at LinkedIn with 7 years of experience serving as the technical lead for multiple top projects.
Specialties:
- Advancing core DS skills to a staff level
- Technical leadership
- GenAI applications in production
- Preparing for roles in top tech environments
Monica brings current, big-league experience to candidates aiming high. If you’re leveling up to senior/staff or refining impact stories, her perspective on what wins inside top organizations is invaluable.
"Monica gave great insights on the interview preparation and was easy to work with."
- Darren M., Coached by Monica
→ Book a free intro call with Monica
Luke S.
Experience: Biomedical data scientist with a Harvard PhD in biomedical informatics focused on clinical AI. Data scientist in Health AI with 6+ years in the space.
Specialties:
- Applied ML in healthcare
- Foundations in statistics/biostatistics
- Concept reinforcement and one-on-one coaching
Luke blends researcher rigor with the heart of a teacher. He's a standout mentor for candidates pursuing healthcare AI and for learners who benefit from clear explanations. If you're looking for practical, applied data science support, Luke is a strong match.
→ Book a free intro call with Luke
Aram B.
Experience: Harvard University data scientist. Led Armenia’s first data-driven youth NGO by building a national-scale Python database.
Specialties:
- Python and R for real-world analytics
- Regression modeling
- Research design and data collection at scale
- Tailored plans for breaking into DS
Aram is excellent for hands-on learners and self-starters. He’s particularly attuned to candidates seeking practical skill-building and portfolio-ready projects. Expect grounded guidance and momentum from someone who’s led teams and shipped meaningful work.
→ Book a free intro call with Aram
Simran B.
Experience: Harvard Business School MBA candidate and a former ML Engineer at Twitch. Has helped teach and mentor 1,000+ students in software and DS.
Specialties:
- Machine learning fundamentals
- DS interview readiness for Big Tech and startups
- Product thinking for ML and DS roles
- Career navigation
Simran’s cross-functional background makes her a powerful coach for candidates who straddle engineering, machine learning, and data science. If you want to translate models into user value, she’ll help you craft the narrative and skills to match. Great for applicants eyeing Big Tech rigor with startup speed.
"I approached Simran for help with both technical and behavioral mock interviews while preparing for a software engineering role. I was on a tight timeline, and Simran was quick to help. She was incredibly professional, understanding, and patient. Having experience being in the interviewer’s shoes herself, she was a fantastic mock interviewer—providing strong insights into what interviewers are actually looking for along with invaluable, actionable feedback based on my performance. What stood out most was her ability to be warm yet honest—she created a supportive environment while still pushing me to improve. Our sessions helped me feel much more confident, and I ultimately landed the offer I was aiming for. She also always took time at the end of our sessions to chat about general life/career advice, which I really appreciated. Overall, Simran was a fantastic coach! I couldn’t recommend her more."
- Coached by Simran and landed a role at Verily
→ Book a free intro call with Simran
Find the Best Coach for Your Data Science Journey
Expert guidance shortens the learning curve, and in data science, that can be the difference between months of frustration and your next offer. Explore coach profiles and book a free 15-minute intro call to test the fit, or browse all coaches here.
Not sure where to start? Jump on a free strategy and coach-matching call with the Leland team, and get matched to the mentor who’ll move you forward fastest. Find the right coach and start building your data science career today.
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- 20 Common System Design Interview Questions (With Sample Answers)
Top Data Science Mentors – FAQs
How can a data science mentor help me break into the field if I don’t have a technical background?
- A mentor can guide you through the relevant skills to prioritize, suggest portfolio projects that translate your existing background into data-relevant experience.
What specific role does a mentor play in preparing for data science interviews?
- During the preparation for data science interviews, mentors provide a supportive environment by running mock interviews, giving feedback on coding performance, and helping you refine your projects. They also share insider perspectives on what hiring managers actually look for, which can help alleviate any anxiety you may have.
Can mentorship help me advance from an entry-level analyst to a senior or leadership role in data science?
- Yes, mentorship can significantly contribute to your career progression in data science. Many mentors focus on helping you develop leadership skills and technical depth, providing guidance that can accelerate your move to senior or executive-level data science positions.
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