In September 2023, INMA awarded 30 young professionals around the world with its fourth “30 Under 30” award as part of its Young Professionals Initiative. This is the 21st in a series of 30 features about the impressive rising media stars who are shaping our industry.

In just four years at the Financial Times, Maria Sakki has made impressive strides — including two promotions that have taken her to the position of lead data analyst.

And while she has an impressive grasp of numbers and data (backed up by a master’s degree in statistics), she is also well known for her exceptional people skills.

With a rare ability to make complex topics easy for stakeholders to understand, she has driven changes smoothly and created a sense of unity and cohesion amongst her team. This has led to developing a culture focused on data-driven decision-making.

Beyond her technical proficiency, Maria’s impact is seen in her ability to inspire and educate her colleagues, fostering a data-driven culture within the FT. Her adaptability and commitment to continuous learning have allowed her to excel in new product development teams and contribute to the FT’s growth.

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