Mat Hughes
Analytics Strategist · Helping you replace Tableau modernize Alteryx escape vendor lock-in build decision-centric tools adopt AI without the hype escape the dashboard trap stop exporting to Excel make dashboards do something close the insight-to-action gap rationalize your tech stack avoid moving to PBI automate your Tableau governance build white-labeled analytics automate analysis with AI automate actions enable rather than replace break free from read-only figure out what's next rethink self-service build AI that amplifies people (no really) align metrics across the org (no really) make analytics human (no really) be data-driven (no really) create a single source of truth (no really) activate data™ hydrate the ontology™ democratize insights™ leverage your data assets™ mature your data culture™ operationalize your metrics™ unlock data value™ synergize your semantic layer™ become insights-led™ accelerate time-to-insight™
I spent a decade at InterWorks helping Fortune 500 companies figure out why their analytics investments weren't paying off. That meant evaluating platforms, building training programs for hundreds of practitioners, and designing embedded analytics systems that people actually want to use.
These days I'm writing about what comes after the dashboard era, and about the AI question that's tangled up in it. Most organizations are adopting AI in ways that impress their boards but don't actually help their people. I'm interested in the alternative: practical AI that amplifies human judgment rather than replacing it. Still working through what that looks like. Happy to talk if any of this resonates, whether that's about a role, a project, or just a conversation.
What I Can Help With
AI Strategy
Not the hype. Use case evaluation, implementation roadmaps, and AI that serves users instead of impressing procurement. Human-centered AI means knowing when not to automate.
Use cases · Roadmaps · Practical implementationEmbedded Analytics
Multi-tenant, white-labeled, RLS-secured. The hard stuff that looks easy in demos but breaks in production. I've built these systems for ISVs and enterprises alike.
Multi-tenant · RLS · White-label · ISVLearning at Scale
AI transformation requires building data and AI competencies faster than traditional L&D can deliver. I help organizations design learning infrastructure that works at pace—personalized pathways, learning analytics that reveal what's actually landing, and measurement frameworks that tie training to outcomes.
Learning Analytics · LMS/LMX · Competency MeasurementPlatform Migrations
Moving off legacy BI? I've helped Fortune 500s navigate migrations where the real challenge isn't the technology—it's building the business case, managing license costs, and bringing users along. The goal is doing more with less without losing capability.
Tableau → Sigma · On-prem modernization · Alteryx modernization · License optimizationExperience
InterWorks
2014 – 2025
11 years
4 leadership roles
500+ practitioners trained
Fortune 500 clients
Product Architecture Lead
Designed BI 3.0 platform assessment strategies for Fortune 500 clients modernizing to cloud-native analytics. AI strategy consulting including use case evaluation, solution design, and implementation roadmaps.
Director of Solutions Architecture
Built solutions architecture team and delivery systems. Developed service offerings for emerging analytics technology partners.
Analytics Practice Lead
Led teams of consultants and architects. Designed Analytics Pathways Program—competency-based progression model.
Earlier Roles
Analytics Team Lead → Regional Practice Lead → Team Lead (Platforms). Founded the practice specializing in Tableau Server & Enterprise Self-Service.
Tableau · Sigma · dbt · Alteryx · Snowflake · Databricks · Azure · AWS
What's Next
The question I keep coming back to: how do organizations adopt AI in ways that make their people more effective, rather than just cutting costs or chasing trends? Not anti-AI—but pro-human. I'm working through that here.
If you're wrestling with the same questions—or building something that takes this seriously—I'd like to hear from you.
Get in Touch