Business analysts as thought leaders
Hello there! The last time we saw each other, I posted about business analysis resources everybody should follow in 2024. Since then, I have been thinking about the fact that, yes, of course, we know blogs, podcasts, or other resources by their public names. Who does not know about Modern Analyst? Or BA Times? Or BA Digest by Blackmetric Business Solutions? Well, after that guide appeared, I hope that much more, but the question is this: do you know about the people behind it? About business analysts who run such amazing things?
A couple of months ago, I had a conversation with a bunch of seasoned business analysts about education, books, resources to learn from, etc. I started bringing up names – Karl Wiegers, Angela Wick, Debra Paul, Adrian Reed, and many more. To my surprise, past the first one, people failed to recognize the names. With just a little help, they put names to faces, but I still was a little confused. Basically, they proved a theory back then, even though I did not stop too much on that at the time.
So what?
Realizing this, I checked how many articles are there about top business analysts you should follow. And I found only a couple! Nonsense! That is why this article was born. I strongly believe that people should know who those people are who shape today’s business analysis. Experts should recognize thought leaders and learn from them. Both rising stars and seasons veterans – business analysts ought to navigate a bright myriad of faces. It is not only a question of recognition, as one might think after such an introduction; there is a practical application too. For example, looking through the list of speakers for a conference, you might know immediately if it is worth it. Or when you see another webinar, free or not, you may find right away if there might be something interesting in there.
Long story short, meet business analysts you should follow in 2024 if you are still not doing so. Cheers!
Business analysts to follow in 2024
If you have never followed these people, I am not sure what you have been doing. I know it’s bold, but that is how I feel. Change my mind!
Business Analysts: Industry Titans
Karl Wiegers 🇺🇸
A living legend of business analysis. Author of numerous books, a software development consultant, speaker, trainer, songwriter, and just a great person! Learning from Karl is always a pleasure. Must follow!
Angela Wick 🇺🇸
Angela is a globally recognized business analyst—author, trainer, speaker, blogger, coach, and consultant with over 25 years of experience promoting modern business analysis practices.
Debra Paul 🇬🇧
Dr. Debra Paul is an expert with over 30 years of experience in business analysis. She is a Managing Director of a training and consultancy company specializing in business analysis and change.
Laura (Brandau) Brandenburg 🇺🇸
Founder and CEO of Bridging the Gap, a training company helping business analysis professionals kick off their careers since 2008. One of the pinnacles of modern business analysis.
Adrian Reed 🇬🇧
Consultant, Speaker, Author & Trainer in Business Analysis. Principal Consultant at
Blackmetric Business Solutions. Adrian Reed is a true advocate of the analysis profession.
Howard Podeswa 🇨🇦
Howard Podeswa is a real thought leader in business analysis and agile. His “Business Analyst’s Handbook” is a real pageturner, which is a must-have for every business analysis expert.
Jared Gorai 🇨🇦
Jared is one of the key members of IIBA, bringing the business analysis community together as Director of Chapter & Member Engagement with his 20 years of experience in the field.
Rainer Wendt 🇩🇪
President of IIBA Germany, one of the most influential chapters in Europe. The person behind the European Business Analysis Day Conference. Great expert with over 20 years of experience.
Lynda Girvan 🇬🇧
Experienced business consultant, trainer, agile coach, author, and practitioner with over 25 years of experience; regular speaker at European and international audiences.
Helen Winter 🇬🇧
Helen is a change management expert with over 20 years having worked as a business analyst, project manager, program director, and management consultant. Renowned book author.
Barbara Carkenord 🇨🇦
Business analyst, passionate about enabling people and organizations to succeed through analysis. Author, speaker, consultant, and one of the founders of IIBA, with over 30 years of experience.
Bindu Channaveerappa 🇬🇧
A renowned business analysis and cybersecurity expert with over 15 years of experience. Co-author of IIBA Cybersecurity Analysis Certification and IIBA London Communities Director.
Stefan Bossuwé 🇧🇪
Stefan co-founded IIBA Brussels and has been an ambassador for the chapter for over 15 years. Business consultant, international speaker, and holistic business analyst.
LN Mishra 🇺🇸
Authored 20+ books on business analysis. LN has over 25 years of professional experience in software product development and business analysis. The key person behind the Adaptive US education provider.
Nick de Voil 🇬🇧
Nick is a seasoned expert in the field of business analysis. His advice and guidance are a very worthwhile investment for anyone wishing to develop in this knowledge area. Over 30 years of excellence.
Christina Lovelock 🇬🇧
Writer, speaker, and qualified coach. Over 20 years of experience in Organisational Change, Strategy Development, and Digital Leadership. Book author, an active contributor to the BA community.
Jamie (Higa) Champagne 🇺🇸
Overly passionate business analysis professional speaker, author, trainer, and surfer. An accomplished speaker, trainer, and business consultant. Business analysis expert with over 20 years of experience.
Fabrício Laguna 🇧🇷
With over 25 years of experience as a business consultant, instructor, and speaker, Fabrício Laguna is passionate about spreading business analysis’s best practices and principles to a global audience.
Filip Hendrickx 🇧🇪
Innovating BA. Inspiring people as a speaker, author, trainer, coach, and conference organizer. President @ IIBA Brussels Chapter. 10 years in business consulting after 10 years in software engineering and research
Yulia Kosarenko 🇺🇦/🇨🇦
BA & EA consultant, speaker, and coach. Professor of Business Analytics. Over 30 years of experience. Active BA community contributor: led webinars and participated in podcasts.
Business Analysts: Renowned Experts
Susan A. Moore 🇺🇸
A product management professional with over 15 years of experience working on technology’s Business and IT sides. IIBA Community Engagement Manager
Igor Arkhipov 🇦🇺
A business analyst by trade who loves his job and who converted his mentoring and teaching hobby into a school for people to learn new skills. Over 10 years of business analysis experience.
John Wisner 🇬🇧
John has 20+ years of Financial Services Experience in leading cross-functional change teams and Business Analysis.
Eno Eka 🇨🇦
Founder of Business Analysis School. Consultant & International Keynote Speaker. Powerful business analysis influencer. Over 10 years of experience in the business analysis knowledge area.
Vanessa Lam 🇺🇸
Vanessa specializes in building data-driven organizations where operations and leadership understand and trust the data, treat data as a resource, and use data to make day-to-day and strategic decisions.
Alice Svadchii 🇫🇷
Trainer, coach, speaker. Enthusiastic content creator in Business Analysis. Founder of “Best Of Business Analyst,” the 1st community of French-speaking Business Analysts.
Georgiana Mannion 🇦🇺
Live and breathe business analysis, change management, service design, user experience, facilitating, training, coaching, mentoring, and speaking. Over 10 years of experience in business analysis.
Dr. Michael White 🇺🇸
One of the top IIBA certification training providers. Business analyst with over 25 years of experience.
Paddy Dhanda 🇬🇧
An Edutainer who specializes in boosting collaboration through engaging learning experiences. Influencers with vast experience in excelling human skills through the power of visualization.
Jeremy Aschenbrenner 🇬🇧
A skilled Business Analyst and IT Manager who utilizes technical knowledge, business acumen, and excellent communication skills to solve problems and take advantage of business opportunities
Jamie Toyne 🇬🇧
Agile Business Analysis Leader and Community Builder with experience in both public and private sectors. Guest speaker at numerous events and contributor to numerous BCS publications.
Thando Jacobs 🇬🇧
Business Analyst with over 5 years in business analysis and over 10 years of experience in financial services. Host of the Inside Business Analysis podcast. And just an awesome person!
Stuart Mullinger 🇬🇧
Business Analysis consultant focussing on business strategy, transformational change, process improvement, and training. Over 15 years of experience.
Simon Platt 🇬🇧
Principal Business Analyst with extensive leadership experience spanning 10+ years. An active member of the Business Analysis community.
Maja Golubic Piric 🇭🇷
A passionate Business Analysis Professional dedicated to the continuous promotion of business analysis. Helping companies to create value. Promoting business analysis standards of practice.
James Dean 🇮🇪
President of IIBA Ireland. Business Analyst with over 6 years of experience working in various domains, such as corporate and business registries, life sciences, and the energy domain.
Hannah Pearson-Coats 🇳🇿
Business Analyst with over 10 years of experience. Active contributor to the business analysis community.
Imtiaz Kaderbhoy 🇬🇧
Business Consultant/Business Analyst with over 15 years of experience. He aims to support his fellow IT professionals with their training, coaching, and mentoring needs.
Obi Nwokedi 🇬🇧
Digital Business Analysis with several years of experience in product management and digital transformation. Active blogger.
On a finishing note
Iurii Gomon
Your humble editor, the Passionate Business Analyst. If you have reached this far in reading this article – I am truly impressed by your persistence and wish you the best of luck!
Who else to follow?
Full disclosure – there are more than, at least, 45,000 business analysts worldwide. Where did I get this number? IIBA Directory graciously helped me with this. But of course, there are many more people out there! I selected my list based on both who I followed for many years, knowing that they share great ideas and those who I personally met for the past years and was inspired by. I hope that this list was helpful to you. As a call to action, I dare you to keep learning, getting inspired, and, one day, getting back to the community by producing your own recommendations on who to follow in the years to come.
Is that your first visit to Passionate BA?
If you have just started reading my blog, I must indicate that you can find many other helpful materials on a blog page. You will find my business analysis digest, my articles, and more! Enjoy!