Resume

Amy Folkestad

Product Analyst & Data Scientist

Impact: Amy is an expert user analyst who leverages data insights to align cross-functional teams around shared goals. With her infectious enthusiasm for analytics, she transforms complex technical requirements into clear, compelling presentations that drive product innovation and elevate user experiences.

Expertise: Leadership, Training & organizational transformation, Executive presentations, User analytics, Machine learning

Professional Experience

Senior Business Analyst

BLN24 | Census Bureau | Remote | June 2024 – Present

• Leading user analytics to drive executive decision-making, optimizing search optimization and product implementations to improve the customer experience and data accessibility. (Google Analytics)
• Managing analytics sprint planning and KPI tracking, presenting quarterly performance insights to influence product roadmaps and communication strategies. (Jira, Excel)
• Defined and executed web optimization goals by integrating qualitative and quantitative research, driving data informed decision making.
• Diagnosed and resolved a high impact indexing error, increasing traffic to 215 key pages. (Bing Webmaster Tools, Python, SEO analytics)
• Conducted technical audits to identify and rectify critical site errors, validating prioritization through user impact analytics.
• Improved data products and FAQ content by analyzing user paths and search term data to inform improvements for the business sector and survey directorates.

Education and AI Training

Part time consultant | Centennial, CO | November 2023 – May 2024

• Completed a six-month intensive AI and Machine Learning certificate through UC Berkley and Calculus II at Arapahoe Community College while working as a part time consultant.
• Partnered with a local wealth management firm to develop an AI-based retirement simulator leveraging probability and statistics for financial forecasting.

Enterprise Data & Business Analyst

Stanley Consultants | Centennial, CO | January 2023 – October 2023

• Reduced HR admin time by 40 hours/month by pioneering an applicant tracking process. (UKG, SQL)
• Influenced HR data architecture by advising C-suite leaders on analytics research and modeling.
• Improved data quality by updating entry logic to ensure regulatory compliance. (Deltek)
• Implemented a structured processes for intake and reporting. (ServiceNow, PowerAutomate)

Founder & Digital Strategy Consultant

Design Web Design Studio | Centennial, CO | January 2013 – January 2023

• Led content, web, and marketing strategies for 100+ businesses, and data analytics for one Fortune 500 firm.
• Scaled business operations, facilitating change management between cloud ecosystems and SAAS providers. (Cloudflare, Server migration, API, Payment integration)
• Lowered technology costs by 55%, researching more affordable solutions and identifying inventive adaptations with existing technologies. (Zapier, CMS)
• Increased web traffic by 239% and refined customer segmentation using user analytics & keyword strategy. (Google Analytics)
• Drove a 32% revenue increase by optimizing content and ad targeting for ideal customer demographics.
• Conducted A/B testing and UX improvements to enhance customer engagement and conversion rates.
• Prevented security breaches by implementing proactive eCommerce attack countermeasures. (Authorize.net)

Adobe Instructor

Arapahoe Community College | Littleton, CO | February 2010 – October 2017

• Designed and led professional development courses for the workforce and community program.
• Taught the fundamentals of Photoshop and Lightroom to empower students to reach their personal and professional goals through the use of Adobe’s Creative Suite.)

Technical Skills

Python, R: Data science, AI, machine learning, model selecting, cross-validation, statistical analysis

SQL, JSON: Data analysis & optimization

Azure, AWS: Cloud computing, data storage, networking, IAM (identity and access management), security, DNS

Google Analytics (GA4, GSC): User analytics, search engine optimization, A/B testing, marketing research

Tableau, PowerBI, Excel: Data visualization

Jira, Asana, ServiceNow: Project management, agile and waterfall, IT support, operations, sprint planning

Adobe Creative Suite: Infographics, branding, marketing (technical manuals, trade show displays), graphic design

AI Retirement Simulator

Certificates

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Machine Learning & AI | UC Berkley
Excel & Tableau | Maven Analytics