Sara Kay

Background

About Sara Kay

newsletter.datagremlingobrr.comI build data systems that turn complexity into clarity, whether that's production ETL pipelines, ML classification systems, or research that gets published. At IBM, I'm developing automation for sensitive data detection by designing decision tree frameworks, evaluating ML models, and building pipelines with Python, Terraform, Datadog, Vector, and VRL to reduce manual toil and support audit compliance. Saving engineers from repetitive tasks is my love language Previously at Moody's Analytics, I designed and deployed production ETL pipelines for KYC compliance data through an early-career rotational program. I built cross-functional data workflows supporting product and analytics teams, implemented sensitive data detection systems that automated regulatory requirements at scale, and engineered chunking systems for LLM integration using LangChain that increased citation accuracy by 92%. I'm currently completing my M.S. in Business Analytics at Carnegie Mellon (May 2026). I graduated with honors from Dartmouth College with a B.A in Computer Science Modified with Quantitative Social Science.Tech Stack & Tools :Programming: Python, SQL, PySpark, R, Pandas, Tableau, Scikit-learnAI/ML: LangChain, RAG, NLP, PyTorch, AWS BedrockCloud & Infra: AWS, Databricks, Terraform, Datadog, Vector, VRLCertifications: AWS Certified Data Engineer, AWS Cloud PractitionerOn the side, I'm conducting research related to AI and human flourishing. I'm a member of MAPOR (Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research) and published in Applied Finance Letters, NCFR's Family Focus, and Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences. Last year, I presented at MAPOR (student fellowship recipient) and Psychology of Technology Conference on topics spanning AI resilience and survey methodology bias. When I'm not wrangling data or building observability systems, I'm deep in anime fandoms, crafting cozy game-inspired experiences, or building personal tools to manage my digital chaos. Side projects include an AI-powered Uma Musume bot with RAG architecture, metadata management systems, GUI applications with kawaii aesthetics, and multi-platform content analytics dashboards. For more details, check out my LinkedIn posts! I also run my own home-manufacturing setup with a Glowforge laser cutter, Silhouette Cameo, sublimation printer, and button maker. I enjoy doing crafts for charity raffles and experimenting with automating my product photography pipeline. Feel free to reach out at sara@sarakay.me to chat, collaborate, or swap ideas :)