Education
Stack
Experience
Skills
Interests
Lexicon
How I Built This

Education

My academic path has been an important foundation in shaping how I approach problem-solving and structure complex ideas. This section outlines recognized programs and learning environments that have contributed to my growth.

Qualifications

  • High School

    IEB Matric

    St John's College Houghton

    English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Science, German, Art

    1st Team Tennis Captain, Sports Colors, Choir, Orchestra, Jazz band
  • Stellenbosch University

    Bachelor of Commerce BComm Economics

    Stellenbosch University

    Economics & Statistics

    Mens Rowing Captain, Student assistant to Department of Economics, Wine Tasting Society
  • Postgraduate

    Bachelor of Commerce BComm (Hons) Statistics

    Stellenbosch University

    Statistical Quality Control, S-Plus/R, Data Mining, Experimental Design, Multivariate Methods, Sampling Techniques, Stochastic Models, Applied Stochastic Simulation, Applied Times Series Analysis

    Student assistant to Department of Actuarial Science and Statistics

Certifications

  • TESOL Certificate

    144 hour TESOL

    Language Corp Asia

    This course focused on teaching English as a foreign language. The 144 hour course included 2 weeks of practical teaching at the Pannasastra University of Cambodia

    2012
  • TESOL Certificate

    SAS PMLR92

    SAS institute

    Predictive modeling and logistic regression. Paid for by Telesure

    2013
  • TESOL Certificate

    SAS LWPRG2

    SAS Institute

    Data manipulation techniques. Paid for by Capitec

    2015
  • TESOL Certificate

    Data Scientist with Python

    Datacamp

    Data Science using CPython

    2022
  • ICS 200

    ICS 200

    Vulcan Wildfire Management

    IS200, Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, reviews the Incident Command System (ICS), provides the context for ICS within initial response, and supports higher level ICS training. This course provides training on, and resources for, personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within ICS. Paid for by Western Cape Government.

    2022

My Stack

HTML5 CSS3 JavaScript Python Flask Dash google NumPy SQLA
anaconda railway pandas Spyder Flask Dash azure NumPy SQL

My stack reflects a hybrid background in data science, data reporting & visualization, and full-stack experimentation. From environment management to deployment, these are the tools I am currently using the most in 2025:

Operating System

macOS macOS

Environment Management

Anaconda Anaconda

Code Editor

spyderIDE Spyder

Version Control

git git

Web Applications

flask Flask

Dashboarding

Streamlit Streamlit
Plotly Plotly

Cloud Deployment

Railway Railway

Backend & Mapping

SQL SQLAlchemy

Visual Suite

Canva Canva

Organisations I've worked for

I’ve worked across junior and senior roles that balance analytical rigor with storytelling & product thinking. This section highlights key milestones from my professional journey so far.

Telesure
Insurance

Pricing and Advanced Analytics

I Worked as a SAS programmer in the pricing and advanced analytics team at Telesure, putting business strategy into action through technical programming.

Developed predictive models and data-driven insights to optimize pricing strategies, ensuring competitive yet profitable outcomes. Collaborated closely with actuarial and business intelligence teams to refine risk assessment models and enhance data accuracy.

Leveraged large datasets to identify trends, forecast performance, and drive strategic decision-making. Automated key analytical processes to improve efficiency and reduce operational bottlenecks in the pricing workflow.

Office
SAS Programmer
Mar 2013 - July 2014 (full-time)
Capitec Bank
Retail Banking

Credit Decision Support

As a statistician in the Credit Decision Support team at Capitec, I played a key role in developing data-driven strategies to enhance credit risk assessment. I worked with large financial datasets, applying statistical models and machine learning techniques to analyze borrower behavior and predict creditworthiness. My insights helped refine the bank’s credit scoring models, improving risk evaluation while ensuring responsible lending practices.

Beyond model development, I collaborated closely with business analysts and risk managers to translate complex statistical findings into actionable business strategies.

Through my role, I helped Capitec strengthen its data-driven approach to credit decision-making, ultimately supporting financial inclusion and sustainable lending growth.

Office
Statistician
Jul 2014 - Sep 2015 (full-time)
Centbee
Crypto

Social Network Analysis

I did advanced analytics consulting for Centbee, a blockchain-based fintech focused on crypto payments and adoption.

My work involved leveraging Python to extract and analyze transactional and behavioral data, providing the team with insights into product usage, wallet activity, and market segmentation. I supported strategic decisions by visualizing trends, identifying patterns, and offering clear, data-led recommendations to improve user retention and platform efficiency. My contribution played a part in sharpening the company’s focus on measurable growth and real-world adoption metrics.

Office
Analytics Consultant
Jun 2022 - Aug 2022 (part-time)
Hanoi Films
Media

Media Strategy & Production

As founder and director of Hanoi Films, I built a successful boutique media company that delivered creative and strategic content for over 170 clients across four continents.

I led production from concept to delivery, including documentaries, corporate videos, commercials, and social content — often in multiple languages. I thrived in a highly adaptive environment, working with NGOs, startups, and educational institutions to deliver tailor-made digital strategies and media solutions.

My ability to lead diverse teams, implement cloud-based collaboration tools, and streamline the post-production process played a crucial role in building long-term client relationships and scaling the business.

Office
Co-Founder | Director
Jan 2016 - Jan 2022 (full-time)
TACTIP Law Firm
IP Law

Strategic Communication

At ACTIP, a regional IP law firm in Southeast Asia, I was brought on as a contract consultant to enhance internal and external communications.

My responsibilities extended beyond language training into business communications strategy — helping partners and legal professionals improve their international client engagement, pitch delivery, and negotiation language.

I tailored workshops and one-on-one sessions that bridged legal nuance and business fluency, empowering the team to present confidently in English across a variety of global legal contexts.

Office
Communications Specialist
Apr 2016 - Apr 2018 (contract)
Ha Noi University FIS
Education

Communication for Development

Working closely with a senior professor at Hanoi University, I curated and delivered an original course titled Communication for Development, designed to equip students with the skills to use media and storytelling as tools for social impact.

The course blended theory and practice, with an emphasis on intercultural communication, grassroots media, and development strategy. In parallel, I co-led a communication school initiative called Song of Your Heart, where we organised outreach programmes for school students focused on empathy-building, public speaking, and community engagement.

This role deepened my passion for education and development while allowing me to shape meaningful learning experiences for young changemakers.

Office
Lecturer & Programme Coordinator
Jan 2017 - Jul 2019 (contract)
Wauko
Forex

Currency hedge Dashboarding

At Wauko, a dynamic FinTech startup, I built out the company’s analytics infrastructure within the Treasury and Forex divisions. I led the development of an internal financial data app — taking it from initial concept to Azure deployment — and engineered multiple working APIs to automate daily forex data retrieval.

My work included setting up the company’s first Azure-based analytics server within just two weeks. I used a tech stack that included CPython, Java, HTML, and CSS to ensure flexible, scalable, and efficient solutions.

This role fused my passion for software development, financial data systems, and strategic thinking in a fast-moving startup context.

Office
Wau Creator
Aug 2022 - May 2023 (full-time)
Engen
Fast Moving Consumer Goods

Channel Clustering

As part of Engen's Channel Clustering team, I contributed to data-driven strategies for optimizing retail operations across the business. My role focused on identifying and analyzing purchasing patterns, segmenting store clusters, and supporting data-backed decision-making around product placement and merchandising.

In my short time at Engen I became a data steward for my department and also wrote and tested process documentation for channel clustering with BlueYonder software.

Office
Merchandise Analyst
Jun 2023 - Mar 2024 (full-time)
FLTA tennis Vietnam
Sports

Tennis Coaching

At FLTA, I led tennis coaching and operations at a high-performance academy catering to both local and international players.

As Head Coach and Manager, I was responsible for designing training programs, mentoring junior coaches, and coordinating with parents and international institutions for athlete placement. I fostered a culture of discipline, resilience, and personal growth, balancing elite coaching with day-to-day management of facilities, scheduling, and team leadership.

This role honed my leadership, cross-cultural communication, and organizational skills in a dynamic sports setting.

Office
Head Tennis Coach and Academy Manager
Mar 2019 - Sep 2021 (full-time)
The Society Pass
Start-Up

Media Strategy & Production

I joined SoPa, a venture-backed tech startup, as a media producer during a critical growth phase. My role involved leading media production efforts, from storyboarding to editing, for key corporate content.

My standout contribution was creating the company’s realization video — a high-impact, narrative-driven piece that helped secure investment and played a pivotal role in their IPO on the NASDAQ.

Working closely with the executive team, I developed content that aligned with investor messaging and captured the company’s vision in a compelling, visually striking format.

Office
Media Producer
Dec 2019 - May 2020 (contract)
KykNet Spasie
TV Show

Spasie TV Series, Overberg Region

I worked as Director of Photography for Walla Films for Season 1 of Spasie, a regionally produced television series that has since grown to its third season. My role involved leading all aspects of visual storytelling — from camera setup, lighting design, and shot composition to coordinating with the director and post-production teams.

Working on location in the Overberg, I translated creative vision into compelling visuals that captured the spirit of the show. This project required adaptability, technical precision, and collaboration under tight production schedules, and contributed to the foundational visual identity of the series.

In the Field
Director of Photography
Dec 2021 - Mar 2022 (contract)
Somerset College
Sports

Leadership through Sport

While training for the Universities Boat Race, I was invited to coach the U14 novice boys’ rowing team at Somerset College. I developed and led a comprehensive training program focused on introducing students to the fundamentals of rowing — balancing the sport’s discipline and technical rigour with a fun, engaging atmosphere.

I managed all aspects of the team’s logistics, including a week-long rowing camp in Elgin, weekly bus trips to the dam, and coordination of weekend inter-school regattas. Beyond coaching, this role allowed me to mentor and motivate young athletes, fostering their growth in both sport and character.

Office
u14 Rowing Coach
Jul 2009 - May 2010 (contract)

Skills that I bring to the Table

My skill set spans design, data, code, and strategy—with an emphasis on adaptability and clarity in execution. Here’s a high-level view of what I’ve developed proficiency in, both technically and creatively.

  • Programming Languages

    Python

    R

    HTML

    CSS

    JavaScript

    SQL

    SAS

    DAX

    read the docs comfortable expert

    People Languages

    English

    Vietnamese

    Afrikaans

    German

    Dutch

    basic proficient native

    Animal Languages

    Cat

    Dog

    Software

    Adobe Cloud

    Azure Cloud

    Google Cloud

    Office 365

    Git

    Github

    SAS

    Railway

    read the docs comfortable expert
  • Data Analysis

    Extracting meaningful insights from complex data.

    Project Management

    Managing timelines, deliverables, and resources.

    Risk Modeling

    Building models to identify, quantify, and mitigate financial risks across scenarios.

    Financial Forecasting

    Using historical data and trends to predict future revenue, expenses, or market conditions.

    DevOps Practices

    Automating deployment, version control, and collaboration between dev and ops teams.

    Design Thinking

    Core to my approach — framing problems, ideation, prototyping.

    Quantitative Analysis

    Applying statistical methods to data for strategy or performance evaluation.

    Cloud Platforms (Azure, ACC, GCP)

    Building, deploying, managing applications and data storage in cloud environments.

    Machine Learning

    Developing algorithms that learn from data to predict outcomes or classify patterns.

    API Integration

    Creating RESTful APIs to exchange data and automate workflows.

    Audience Segmentation

    Grouping audiences by behavior, demographics, or needs to tailor strategies.

    Service Design

    Full UX — mapping full end-to-end systems, holistic thinking.

    Project Scoping

    I am strong at defining and managing project boundaries clearly.

    Stakeholder Engagement

    This pairs with my focus on expectation-management.

    Content Lifecycle Planning

    Strategizing content from idea to publication, distribution, and archiving.

    Technical Writing

    I enjoy and am skilled in documentation, proposals, and instructional material.
  • I score myself above my general peers in:

    Empathy Icon

    Empathy

    Integrity Icon

    Expectation Management

    Expectation Management Icon

    Integrity

    Collaboration Icon

    Collaboration

    Adaptability Icon

    Active Listening

    Drive Icon

    Adaptability

  • 100% success rate Voted best person in the world

My Main Interests

Outside of work, I’m driven by curiosity—whether it’s reading about behavioral science, exploring new data art, or experimenting with side projects. This section is a snapshot of what keeps me engaged and inspired in life.

  • Fiction

    • Branden Sanderson
    • Gabriel García Márquez
    • Ayn Rand
    • Paulo Coelho
    • William Golding

    Non-Fiction

    • Daniel Kahneman
    • Yuval Noah Harari
    • Michael Lewis
    • Malcolm Gladwell
    • Bill Bryson

    Author Links

    Sanderson Gladwell Marquez Harari Rand Lewis Kahneman Coelho Golding
  • I Play

    Tennis

    I play irregularly and follow the ATP tour.

    Running

    Love park runs and trail routes near my house.

    Golf

    Currently a 14HC and occasional ringer.

    I Watch

    Formula 1

    Watch all the race weekends on TV. Go Oscar!

    Chess Boxing

    I enjoy this because you can win by either checkmate or knockout!

    Isle of Man TT

    Follow this every year on TV.
  • Hiking

    Lepidoptery

    Taxonomy

    Birdwatching

    Documentaries

  • Church

    Park Runs

Lexicon

Every domain has its own language. This is my personal glossary — a living list of terms, concepts, and mental models I reference often.

Select a word to see its definition. You can also scroll

Building this site

This site is both a portfolio and a playground—built from scratch to reflect both content and craft. Here’s a quick breakdown of how I designed, developed, and deployed it.

This Project took me just over 80 hours from start to finish. You can see a timeline below:

2025-04-02

Portfolio Website Kickoff

Created Conda Environment, set up Flask, initialized Git repo, planned website sections.

Duration: 3 hours
2025-04-02

Basic Routing & Templates

Created Flask routes and Jinja template. Did Navbar section and created requirements.txt as well as testing app.py and pushing to Origin

Duration: 2 hours
2025-04-03

Not the Start I wanted

Spent an hour troubleshooting why my css colors weren't updating. Figured out I had darkmode on and turned it off. Centered some divs for confidence building after that

Duration: 2 hours
2025-04-03

Collecting Assets, setting up layout

downloaded company logos. Tried 3 JavaScript/CSS methods before deciding on final animations and transitions for sections.

Duration: 3 hours
2025-04-04

Working on Experience Carousel and card

Built carousel for company logos. Built job card templates.

Duration: 4 hours
2025-04-04

1 Section Down, 6 to go!

Finished job cards. Tweaked and fixed some animation stuff. Added contact stuff to site footer

Duration: 3 hours
2025-04-06

Education section

Re-used the same cards from the experience section but made them into accordions.

Duration: 8 hours
2025-04-07

Skills section

Use the accordion elements I made yesterday to make 4 skills containers. Hmmm, what skills are important is an important question but I want to categorize these correctly. Made my brain into a png.

Duration: 5 hours
2025-04-10

Skills section... finished

Took a long, deep look into industry specific skills and what I best have. Switched around accordions, added Skill-Pills.

Duration: 3 hours
2025-04-10

Made the timeline section

Made a simple timeline that shows site progress.

Duration: 2 hours
2025-04-14

Plan out site analytics

Reading up and comparing IP2location, GeoIP, Echarts and planning what needs to be done for this side-quest.

Duration: 2 hours
2025-04-15

Refactoring

Refactored single html page into multiple section tempates to make things a bit easier to seperate.

Duration: 1 hour
2025-04-17

Site analytics and database

Set up SQLAlchemy and test/integrate viewer data

Duration: 2 hours
2025-04-22

Site analytics and database continued

Spent full day on this task but struggling with mapping. Dropping this idea for now so I can get back on track.

Duration: 7 hours
2025-04-24

Lexicon section

Set up Lexicon Section with javascript and json

Duration: 3 hours
2025-04-25

Populate lexicon

Put about 100 important words into my lexicon

Duration: 2 hours
2025-04-29

Tech Stack section

Set up tech stack section. As this is one of the last sections, I'm just using elements I've created from previous sections. No need to reinvent the wheel.

Duration: 2 hours
2025-04-29

Finish Tech Stack Section

Summarised stack into 9 cards. Got logo icons and added those

Duration: 3 hours
2025-04-30

What are my interests?

Broke down my interests into 4 categories. It's going to be similar to the skills accordion.

Duration: 3 hours
2025-04-30

Clean Up Time!

Went through all 7 sections to see that everything is working. Fixed Nav bar title & tool-tips. Also redid IP2loc so that it just does an API call instead of needing to store the bins locally.

Duration: 2 hours
2025-05-01

Colors and proof reading

Weather outside today is cold and rainy... perfect weather for practical color science

Duration: 4 hours
2025-05-01

Freeze dependencies and deploy!

Following cold and rainy theme, I'm freezing my deeps and putting this up!

Duration: 1 hour
2025-05-01

Deploy!

Fighting to get website up. It's up! Definitely need to fix lots of stuff.

Duration: 4 hours
2025-05-07

Deployment Feedback and fixes planning.

Majority of viewers were on mobile and no mobile view. Research mobile UI tips and fixing. Get mobile friendly view up by weekend (maybe 5 hours work?)

Duration: 3 hours
2025-05-08

Desktop First and Responsive Design

I have 1,600 lines of CSS rules that I need to refactor and simplify, and while doing this I'm also going to work on the mobile view.

Duration: 4 hours
2025-05-09

Desktop First and Responsive Design Continued

Refactored around 1,000 lines of CSS and can probably finish this next time I work on it.

Duration: 4 hours
2025-05-12

Responsive Design Continued

A lot of manually fixing the CSS line by line and adding to a MASSIVE media query at the bottom of the script.

Duration: 4 hours
2025-05-12

Finish CSS, Merge, Redeploy!

Finally finished CSS. Push to Github. Redeploy. Mobile Friendly DONE

Duration: 4 hours
2025-05-17

502 Bad Gateway: Production Server Down

Well, umm.... The GOOD news is that I've been getting lots of traffic to my side. The BAD news is that I've run out of free hosting credits. This entire project so far has cost me $0, and my budget to fix this is still $0.

Duration: 4 hours

© 2025 Kyle Davidson

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