Good day to everyone on the green side of the Force,
I’m Igor Alcantara, and I’m honored to join the great team of Qlik Partner Ambassadors. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself, share a bit of my journey, and explain why I’m so excited to be here. Why do I feel the need to introduce myself? Well, I just think when you're new to a place or position, it is the polite thing to do. In addition, I just love writing, so any excuse to put my thoughts on paper is one I gladly take.
Since I am not George Lucas who introduced his famous saga in Episode IV, let's start from the beginning. I was born in 1977, the same year the Voyagers 1 and 2 set off into space and Elvis and Marc Bolan passed away (though I promise I’m not a reincarnation of the King nor I have any glam). I am not Slavic descendant, although I love their culture. I am only called Igor because my father, as a great fan of music, thought I was born on the same day as Stravinsky. Funny thing is that he got the wrong composer. I was actually born on the same day as another Russian, Tchaikovsky, but please, don't call me Pyotr.
My roots are in Brazil (Minas Gerais), where I moved around several states (MG, DF, CE, RR, SP), and eventually, I made my way to the United States 11 years ago. I lived in Los Angeles, then Boston, and now I call Alpharetta, just north of Atlanta, home. Every place has taught me something new, and I’m grateful for each chapter in my life.
I started programming when I was eight years old. I had no computer then, which forced me to write and test my code on paper. However annoying, this build my debug and troubleshoot skills and taught an important lesson: sometimes a challenge can turn up to be an opportunity. My adventure with The Green Side of the Force began only 5 months after I joined IPC Global: over 20 years ago, in 2004. It was before QVDs or Set Analysis existed, a long time ago in a galaxy far far away.
It almost never happened. Although technology was always in my blood, my academic life in Brazil began in a Medical School. It was fun and challenging, it gave me my first internship at the morgue (still my calmest job ever), but it never felt quite right. After years debating, I decided for the pursuit of happiness instead of just a good paycheck, and by my fifth year, I quitted the Medical School and moved to a different state to focus on computer science. This new town was a place where I knew nobody nor had a job, which even forced me to live in my car for some time, then in a small house with no furniture before things started to get on track. It was a difficult shift, but it’s one I’ll never regret.
Music and literature have always played an important role in my life. I enjoy reading, especially works by Slavic writers like Kafka, Chekhov, Kundera, ÄŒapek, Gogol, and Dostoyevsky. I have a deep appreciation for rock and roll from the 60s, 70's and 90s, heavy metal (the heaviest, the better), and I have fond memories of playing the violin and guitar in various bands. I probably know more about The Beatles than I know Qlik and, if you're not careful, I will find a way to add the fab four (the band, not Liverpool mid fielders) trivia any chance I get to any topic. When I was invited to record a podcast about the greatest band of all time, what was supposed to be short became a 6-hour episode. I also have a soft spot for Star Wars, a series that has inspired me in its own quiet way, and The Godfather, where I learn to appreciate cannoli and never trust Fredo.
Writing is another true passion of mine. In a previous chapter of my life, I even wrote a few fiction books to give life to ideas that stirred my heart and give a little peace to my busy autistic brain. I almost always wrote in blogs, websites and even had a monthly column at Microsoft's MSDN Magazine.
Alongside writing, I love sharing knowledge through education and public speaking. At first, it was difficult. As like many people in the spectrum, I felt uncomfortable near new people (or people in general) but while in the Medical School, where we had to present to dozens of students and professors every single week. It was when I made the decision to force myself into this frighting challenge. I began to study storytelling, presentation techniques, public speaking, and many more training and workshops. What was a phobia soon became a hyperfocus and later a talent. It's a defining part of my personality: if you're give me a task, I will never say "I do not have the skills to do it". I will study, I will give everything, and I will perform the best I can.
I was a college professor for a few years and Qlik instructor for many more. I’ve been fortunate to speak at events, host podcasts, deliver demos, and even work as a Microsoft official speaker and academic cell leader in the past. I guess when people invite me I am unable to say no. This is something I really like to do, I have helped others to do, and I know I can do it well. Today, I’m excited to bring that same enthusiasm and commitment to the Qlik community.
I also contribute to the Data Voyagers blog and YouTube channel, and I help lead four Qlik meetup groups in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, and the Northwest. Professionally, I work as a data scientist, specializing in statistics, data science, AI, and scientific research: fields that allow me to blend creativity with a love for discovery. Besides all of what Qlik provides, I program in R and Python on a daily basis. Currently, I am the Director of Data Science & Education at IPC Global, a company that gives me all the support and freedom I need to explore, innovate, and test the boundaries of what is possible, with the core goal of helping our customers and colleagues to achieve their potential.
Some friends say that what defines me is that I’m a collection of failures, that I am a persistent loser. They are right. I haven’t succeeded in every pursuit. Actually, I failed in most. I didn’t become a professional musician, a full-time novelist, a medical doctor, or the assistant of a villain crazy scientist like many Igors before me. I was not even named correctly, but I always give 100% in everything I do. I believe that if you do something, there is no reason to give it your very best. Every setback is a lesson, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow. As I step into this new role, I’m mindful of my imperfections and remain committed to learning and contributing my best.
Thank you for welcoming me into this community. I look forward to sharing experiences, learning from each other, and exploring the power of data together. Most importantly, I am excited to help others, bring balance to the Force, and start a new chapter in my life.
May the Force and the Data be with you,
Igor Alcantara