Leading with Purpose: Faculty Spotlight on Joseph Cazier

Joseph Cazier isn’t just teaching students about analytics — he’s guiding them to lead with it.

A clinical professor of information systems and an expert in analytics and decision-making,
Cazier brings years of experience from academia, industry, and global organizations to the
classroom. His mission is clear: Equip the next generation of data professionals to tackle real-
world problems with purpose, not just technical skill.

For Cazier, effective leadership is about identifying the value a project can create and charting a
course to achieve it while working collaboratively and purposefully with others along the way.
Drawing on his extensive experience working with global organizations like the United Nations,
HiveTracks, and CGIAR, Cazier emphasizes that analytics must always serve a greater
purpose. Whether addressing challenges in food security or global health, the goal remains the
same: Use data to solve problems that matter.

But Cazier is quick to point out that technology and data tools, while powerful, are just one part
of the equation.

“In the business world, many AI and analytics projects fail to deliver the expected returns,” he
says. “This highlights the need for us to align our skills with tangible outcomes and show real
value through data rather than just using technology for its own sake.”

This philosophy shapes Cazier’s teaching approach at ASU. An advocate for experiential
learning, he believes that by bridging the gap between theory and real-world application,
students can gain invaluable experiences applicable to their future careers.

“To truly understand the potential of analytics, students need more than just theoretical
knowledge,” Cazier explains. “When we bring real-world examples into the classroom, we make
the lessons more impactful and relatable.”

To do this, Cazier encourages his students to focus on solving meaningful problems that excite
them, an approach that drives them to seek out the tools and techniques that are best suited for
the task at hand, rather than simply memorizing the latest technologies.

“If students are passionate about the problem they’re trying to solve, they’ll naturally seek out
the right tools to tackle it,” he says. “The technology becomes a means to an end — helping
them achieve something that matters.”

While the AI and data analytics landscape is rapidly changing, Cazier believes that the core
principles of leadership and value creation remain unchanged.

“To succeed in analytics, it’s not just about staying up to date with the latest tools,” he says. “It’s
about identifying value, creating a clear path to it, and executing well. These fundamentals are
just as important today as ever, even with the rapid advancements in technology.”

One framework Cazier frequently draws on comes from the Institute for Operations Research
and the Management Sciences (INFORMS). It outlines five “manageable tasks” that address
common reasons projects fail but that professionals can anticipate and control. Cazier
integrates these principles into his teaching, helping students turn classroom lessons into
actionable, value-driven results.

“By teaching these best practices, I give students the tools they need to succeed and avoid
common pitfalls in real-world projects,” he says.

As an educator and researcher, Cazier’s focus remains on purposeful analytics and mentoring
students to grow into leaders capable of navigating the complexities of the data-driven world.

“Experiential learning and mentorship are critical,” Cazier says. “By working closely with
someone who has faced similar challenges, students can learn to make fewer mistakes and
execute projects more effectively.”