Bill Kinneman is a seasoned leader in data analytics, business intelligence, and strategic insights, bringing decades of experience in both startup and corporate environments. Throughout his distinguished career, he has been at the forefront of transforming data into actionable intelligence, enabling companies to drive strategic decision-making, improve operational efficiencies, and enhance overall business performance. His expertise spans data analysis, business strategy, customer insights, and technological innovation, making him a respected figure in the data and analytics space.
Most recently, Bill served as Vice President of Data and Insights at Hearst Newspapers, where he led both the Data & Insights and Data Engineering teams. In this role, he was instrumental in supporting the company’s data infrastructure, overseeing reporting needs, and navigating complex technical migrations to remediate years of technical debt. He played a pivotal role in rebuilding teams, establishing higher operational standards, and strengthening stakeholder relationships. His leadership extended beyond internal operations—he actively fostered collaboration with other Hearst companies, combining resources to drive innovation and efficiency across the organization. Notably, he sponsored and judged Hearst’s first-ever generative AI hackathon, demonstrating his commitment to emerging technologies and their application in media and analytics.
Before joining Hearst, Bill was the Senior Director of Analytics and Insights at Flipboard, where he managed the Data & Insights team during a period of rapid change and strategic pivots. Under his leadership, the team adapted to shifting company priorities by implementing standardized reporting tools and providing comprehensive analysis on initiatives such as e-commerce, video and audio streaming, and affiliate programs. His ability to align analytics with corporate strategy helped Flipboard navigate the evolving digital media landscape.
Prior to Flipboard, Bill held the role of Vice President of Business Strategy and Intelligence at Spring Inc., where he was responsible for all business metrics, customer research, data integrity, and reporting tools. He successfully built and led a team of analysts and researchers, providing key business insights that shaped strategic decisions. His collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Product, Marketing, Data Science, and Tech, ensured that data-driven insights were at the core of the company’s operations.
At Slice, Bill served as Vice President of Business Intelligence, where he provided thought leadership on data analysis and marketplace insights for a fast-growing food-ordering startup. He built the company’s Business Intelligence function from the ground up, driving data acquisition, restructuring operational procedures, and refining key business metrics. His analytical support was instrumental in securing Series B funding, a testament to his ability to leverage data for business growth.
Bill’s extensive experience in business intelligence also includes leadership roles at Gilt.com, where he developed a data-driven strategy encompassing analytics, data science, and business intelligence tools. He designed a Voice of Customer study that significantly influenced the company’s strategic direction. As an Advisory Board Member for Coupang, he shared his expertise on best practices in analytics and customer scoring, helping shape the company’s approach to data-driven decision-making.
His earlier career saw him in senior analytical and business intelligence roles at Rent The Runway, Simon & Schuster, Barnes & Noble, and HarperCollins Publishers, where he honed his skills in data-driven strategy, customer insights, and business intelligence. With a strong foundation in analytics and a keen ability to transform raw data into strategic business insights, Bill has played a critical role in shaping the success of multiple organizations across media, e-commerce, and technology industries.
Bill holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from Rutgers University, a background that underscores his ability to blend analytical rigor with a deep understanding of market trends and consumer behavior. His career is defined by his passion for data-driven decision-making, leadership in analytics, and the ability to build high-performing teams that deliver meaningful business outcomes.
Throughout his career, Bill Kinneman has proven to be an invaluable asset to the organizations he has served, consistently driving innovation, improving data infrastructure, and ensuring that analytics serve as the foundation for strategic growth. His impact on the data and analytics field is profound, and his leadership continues to shape the industry as he remains at the forefront of emerging trends and technologies.
Character: Bill Kinneman is a dedicated and results-driven leader who fosters collaboration, integrity, and innovation within his teams.
Knowledge: With deep expertise in data analytics, business intelligence, and strategic insights, he has successfully transformed data into actionable business strategies.
Strategic: He has a proven ability to align analytics with corporate objectives, driving operational efficiency and business growth across diverse industries.
Communication: An effective communicator, Bill bridges the gap between technical teams and stakeholders, ensuring data-driven insights translate into impactful decisions.
