Bridging Global Finance, AI, and the Future of Data Science at UNC Charlotte: IIieva Ageenko

The UNC Charlotte School of Data Science is pleased to highlight Professor Ilieva Ageenko’s leadership, industry knowledge, and educational influence. Her work places SDS at the forefront of applied data science education. Bringing executive expertise from driving digital transformation at top U.S. financial institutions, Professor Ageenko plays a significant role in bridging corporate strategy, artificial intelligence, and responsible innovation in the classroom. She contributes to ensuring that students obtain a practical, forward-thinking education that is based on ethical, data-driven decision-making through her dedication to mentoring, global perspective, and emphasis on real-world problem solving.

When Professor Ilieva Ageenko walks into the classroom at UNC Charlotte’s School of Data Science, she presents more than academic expertise—she brings real-world leadership experience from the front lines of digital transformation at three of the top ten U.S. banks.

Her professional career has involved global leadership, AI innovation, and enterprise strategy. She is now using those experiences to help mold the upcoming generation of data-driven leaders.

From Boardrooms to Classrooms

Professor Ageenko made a deliberate transition into academia following years in top professional positions. While she succeeded directing high-performing teams and enterprise-wide strategies, she discovered a new sort of influence in teaching.

“The classroom lets me show students how to approach problem-solving,” she explains. “It’s about framing business problems, not just analyzing data. Storytelling becomes a bridge between insight and action.”

Her experience in the field provides students with a unique advantage: exposure to the real-world applications of data science decisions in complex organizations. She highlights that digital transformation is about people, not just embracing new technology.

“Success depends on communication, cross-functional coordination, and a culture that embraces change,” she says. “The biggest transformation is mindset.”

Teaching Data with Purpose

Across courses like Visual Analytics and Predictive Modeling, Professor Ageenko emphasizes her teaching on one fundamental idea: data must drive decisions that matter.

Instead of starting with the dataset, she advises students to start with the business challenge. The user is who? What effect does it have? How will success be determined?

“Learning comes alive when students understand why their analysis matters — how it affects a customer, a strategy, or a real business outcome.”

Her lessons typically involve open-ended, real-world scenarios that encourage students to think critically, adapt imaginatively, and communicate properly. She thinks those human abilities are more crucial than ever in the era of artificial intelligence.

Responsible AI and the Human Factor

Professor Ageenko is enthusiastic about responsible innovation and has extensive experience in the connection of AI and business strategy.

“AI doesn’t replace judgment — it raises the bar for it,” she says. “Cognitive bias research reminds us that models can inherit our blind spots. Organizations that succeed will balance speed with safeguards, transparency, and explainability.”

She educates students to understand AI not as a magical answer, but as an effective tool that must be guided by ethical awareness and human oversight.

A Global Perspective on Data and Leadership

Having lived and taught in many countries, Professor Ageenko adds a global lens to her lectures. Her view of how environment influences results was shaped by her experiences.

“Culture influences how people lead, make decisions, and interpret information,” she explains. 

“To design relevant products and services — or to lead diverse teams — you need cultural intelligence.”

This approach appears in her classroom through projects that require students to adapt analytics for various audiences, markets, and views. Data, she teaches, is universal — but how we use and present it must be culturally conscious.

Championing Women in Data Science

Professor Ageenko is also a passionate advocate for women in STEM. She thinks that in order to increase opportunities, representation and mentoring are essential.

“Students need to see role models who reflect their aspirations,” she says.

Events like UNC Charlotte’s annual Women in Data Science Conference play an important part. These encounters frequently encourage women to continue and persevere in data science professions by putting students in touch with business executives and highlighting successful career choices.

“Confidence grows when students see what’s possible,” she adds.

What Makes UNC Charlotte Different

Professor Ageenko believes UNC Charlotte’s School of Data Science stands out because of its applied, industry-connected approach.

“Our classrooms combine formal learning with practical experience,” she says. “Through weekly seminars, collaborative projects, and industry-sponsored capstones, students connect theory to real business challenges and measurable outcomes.”

It’s a model that reflects her own career path — where strategy, technology, and leadership must work together.

Preparing Students for Real-World Impact

Professor Ageenko’s top priority is for her pupils to graduate with more than just technical capabilities. She wants them to be engaging storytellers, flexible thinkers, and moral decision-makers.

“In this era of AI, the ability to think critically and communicate insights clearly is what truly sets leaders apart.”

By merging global experience, executive leadership, and a passion for mentorship, Professor Ilieva Ageenko is helping UNC Charlotte students do more than study data – she’s teaching them to utilize it to make a difference.