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Kelley professor Brittany Lambert wearing glasses presenting data charts on a large screen in a modern office setting

Transform data into decisions through better storytelling

Kelley Executive Education's Data Storytelling course teaches professionals how to transform complex analyses into clear, compelling stories that influence stakeholders and drive better business decisions.

Register now

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Why data storytelling matters

Organizations generate more data than ever before, but data alone doesn’t drive decisions. Too often, valuable insights become buried in dashboards, spreadsheets, or lengthy presentations that overwhelm rather than persuade. The professionals who create the greatest impact know how to identify what matters most, connect with their audience, and communicate recommendations that inspire actions.

Kelley’s storytelling with data course teaches you how to bridge the gap between analysis and action by transforming information into meaningful business stories that resonate with stakeholders.

We offer our innovative program in two formats to accommodate our learners. Sign up for a one-day, in-person workshop or a multi-week online learning experience. In both, you’ll focus on a project of your own as you learn how to communicate insights with greater clarity, confidence, and impact, whether your work involves presenting to executives, clients, cross-functional teams, or customers. No advanced data science background is required.

Upcoming dates

Dates: November 11
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET
Format: In-person workshop
Location: 16 Tech, Indianapolis, IN
Price: $995

Register

Live online offering available spring/summer 2027.

Want to learn more?

Fill out the form below to request more information.

Program overview

This course is designed for professionals who regularly analyze, interpret, and present data to inform business decisions. Unlike many data storytelling courses, this program is built around your work, not hypothetical case studies.

Throughout the program, you’ll bring a current presentation, report, dashboard, or analysis from your organization and improve it using proven storytelling frameworks, instructor coaching, and peer feedback.

What you’ll learn

Understand your audience
Learn how to identify stakeholder priorities and tailor your message before creating slides, charts, or dashboards.

Develop stories that drive action
Move beyond reporting information to explain what happened, why it matters, and what decisions should come next.

Design more effective visualizations
Create charts and graphics that simplify complex information, reinforce your message, and improve audience understanding.

Deliver persuasive presentations
Build confidence communicating recommendations that influence executives, colleagues, clients, and decision makers.

Create a repeatable framework
Apply practical techniques you can use every time you communicate business insights.

Learn by applying your own project

Learning is most effective when it’s immediately relevant.

Instead of completing generic exercises, you’ll work on a presentation, dashboard, report, or analysis from your own organization throughout the program.

With guidance from the instructor and feedback from peers, you’ll strengthen your work while learning practical storytelling techniques you can continue using long after the course concludes. You’ll leave with a refined product that's ready to present.

Who should attend

This data storytelling course is ideal for professionals who regularly communicate data-driven insights, including:

  • Business analysts
  • Business intelligence and analytics professionals
  • Project and program managers
  • Operation leaders
  • Marketing professionals
  • Finance and accounting professionals
  • Consultants
  • Strategy professionals
  • Product managers
  • Leaders responsible for presenting recommendations

No advanced data science experience required

You don’t need a technical or programming background. If you work with spreadsheets, dashboards, reports, presentations, or business metrics, you’ll gain practical skills that help you communicate data more effectively.

Choose your learning experience

In-person workshop

In-person workshop
November 11, 2026
16 Tech | Indianapolis, Indiana
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET

Spend the day collaborating with fellow professionals as you develop and refine your project through instructor-led activities, facilitated discussion, and hands-on coaching.

Enroll now

Live online program

Spring/summer 2027
Experience the same practical curriculum through a multi-week, live online format that provides additional opportunities for project development, peer collaboration, instructor feedback, and iterative refinement between sessions.

Registration coming soon

Showcase your new skills

In addition to earning a certificate of completion from the Kelley School of Business, you will also earn a digital badge to showcase your skills on platforms like LinkedIn. These credentials show your network the concrete and in-demand skills you earned from taking this Kelley program.

Kelley Executive Education Data Storytelling digital badge

Frequently asked questions

This program focuses on communicating business insights, not performing advanced analytics or programming. If you regularly work with reports, dashboards, spreadsheets, or presentations, you’ll benefit from the practical communication techniques taught throughout the course.

No. Participants only need basic experience working with business data and presentation tools.

Bring a laptop, a charger, a current workplace presentation, report, dashboard, or analysis that you’d like to improve during the program.

Yes. Following the inaugural in-person workshop, the Data Storytelling course will also be offered as a live online experience beginning in spring/summer 2027.

Learning objectives

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

  • Analyze the needs, priorities, knowledge, and expectations of a specific audience
  • Tailor the message, level of detail, and communication approach for different stakeholders
  • Identify the central insight or “Big Idea” within a data driven project
  • Transform analytical findings into a clear narrative that explains what is happening, why it matters, and what should happen next
  • Select visualizations that accurately and efficiently communicate key insights
  • Apply visual hierarchy, takeaway titles, and annotation to direct audience attention
  • Design presentation slides that support understanding rather than overwhelm the audience
  • Align data, visuals, narrative, and recommendations into one cohesive message
  • Communicate data driven insights with greater clarity, confidence, and influence
  • Apply data storytelling principles to a real project from their own organization
Pencil and paper icon

Access a customizable supervisor request letter to support your case for attending a Kelley professional development program.

Meet your instructor

Kelley Executive Education Data Storytelling digital badge

Anna Deeds

Anna Deeds is a senior lecturer at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, where she has been shaping business communicators for more than a decade. A two-time recipient of the Trustees’ Teaching Award and multiple student-selected Teaching Excellence Awards, she was most recently honored with the Panschar Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award, the school’s highest recognition for undergraduate instruction.

At Kelley, Anna teaches business communication courses to undergraduates and professionals in Kelley Executive Education Programs, where her courses in executive presence, influential communication, and data storytelling help connect ideas to action. She also provides individualized coaching for Kelley Executive Education learners, guiding them to tell compelling stories with data and to influence with credibility.

Her expertise includes business communication, executive presence, influential communication, storytelling with data, and imposter syndrome. She develops curriculum and workshops for audiences ranging from first-year students to senior executives, drawing on her experience in communications at General Electric’s Appliance Park and as associate director of admissions at Kelley. Anna earned her BA in Communication from Bellarmine University and her MS in Higher Education from Indiana University.

Questions?

Please reach out to us at kelleypd@iu.edu to learn more about the Data Storytelling course and other world-class programs offered by Kelley School of Business Executive Education Programs.

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