Karen Bouez is now a Workforce Intelligence and Analytics Manager at Caterpillar Inc. in Dubai, where she works at the intersection of people strategy, workforce metrics, and data-driven decision-making. Originally from Lebanon, she built an international path into analytics through a mix of business education, marketing experience, and a growing interest in how data shapes real outcomes inside companies.
Karen first planned to pursue economics at the American University of Beirut, but she ultimately chose business. “In my mind, business would give me more options later on.” During her program, she developed a specific interest in marketing. “I’m a creative person by nature, and marketing allows me to leverage my creative side.” Even then, data was already part of her learning experience, planting the first seed of the shift that would later define her career.
After graduating, Karen joined an advertising company, working in marketing and social media while staying close to data through engagement analytics and campaign performance. She later took a brief consulting role, which reinforced something important: every industry needs people who can work with data. For Karen, it became less of a career pivot and more of a natural next step.
Why Karen chose the Master in Business Analytics & Data Science*
Karen moved to Madrid to pursue the Master in Business Analytics & Data Science at IE University, driven by a desire to be part of the next wave of digital change. “Back in 2019, the tech-driven world was still an idea that you read about on the internet. I wanted to ride the wave before it crashed.”
The program helped her build practical understanding across data, coding, and machine learning, while also showing how companies were applying those skills in real settings. “We were learning with case studies from companies and actual data, which helped me understand how to make something out of the data in front of me.”
Outside the classroom, she described settling into Madrid quickly.
Outside the classroom, she described settling into Madrid quickly. “The transition was smooth. Madrid is similar to how we live and think in Lebanon—the vibes are pretty much the same.” She built strong friendships and stayed connected to the IE community beyond graduation, including through the IE Venture Lab. “My friends and I joined the IE Venture Lab as students, and then again as alumni. We even had mentors to help try to bring our idea to life.”
From marketing to people analytics and workforce intelligence
After graduating, Karen moved into a more technical, analytics-driven career path. She later worked in Dubai in people analytics, bringing together her business foundation and her growing technical skill set. “The Master in Business Analytics & Data Science played a huge part in this shift. The program was life-changing from all perspectives, both professional and personal.”
She previously joined Chalhoub Group, where she worked as a senior people analytics analyst. Although the sector changed, she continued to rely on skills from her marketing background and applied them to workforce challenges. She described her work as a multi-disciplinary role that blended technical and strategic responsibilities. “I’m a manager, I’m a data scientist, I’m a data analyst, I’m a data translator and I’m a consultant. I wear multiple hats at work and I enjoy it so much.”
In that environment, her focus centered on changing how organizations think about talent and decision-making.
“It’s already changing and transforming—you won’t have people partners anymore, you will have people analytics consultants, who will help managers make decisions on people.” She emphasized that analytics shifted HR away from instinct-led choices and toward measurable evidence. “Big data is bringing a lot of value and changing the way HR is perceived. Before it was very transactional, and now it’s more strategic.”
Building analytics impact at Caterpillar Inc.
Karen’s career continued evolving into workforce strategy and analytics leadership. At Caterpillar Inc. in Dubai, she worked in analytics-focused management roles, supporting HR decision-making across the EAME region. Her responsibilities included leading people analytics and HR metrics, building dashboards, reports, and KPIs that helped leadership act on real-time workforce insights.
Her work also included developing Power BI dashboards tracking attrition, headcount, demographics, talent acquisition, and workforce trends, and delivering internal education sessions to strengthen analytics and AI awareness. She contributed to HR automation initiatives designed to reduce manual workload and improve employee experience, including automation across pre-onboarding, onboarding, and offboarding stages. She also supported the use of AI agents to improve accessibility to HR services and boost productivity across the region.
Across her trajectory, Karen consistently positioned herself at what she described as the crossroads between data-driven insight and the human side of work, using analytics to challenge assumptions and improve how companies support their people.
A program built for curious, ambitious career changers
Karen believed the Master in Business Analytics & Data Science prepared students for a fast-moving field where constant learning became part of the job. “It’s a fast-moving field and if you don’t know something today, you’ll have that and 10 other things to learn tomorrow.” She encouraged future students to fully engage with the program and the people in it. “I think the program will give you as much as you give it—so be ready to go the extra mile.”
“Your network is your worth, both professionally and personally. I am still connected to my friends from the program, and I’m very grateful for that.”
For Karen, the degree supported a message she wanted future students to take seriously: career direction doesn’t have to be fixed from the start. “No matter your background—whether it’s business, technical, engineering, consulting, communications or marketing—you can learn and later take on a data science role. Plus, you’ll be fit for the future. Who doesn’t want that?” She urged students considering the program to take the step. “The program is life-changing—it’s going to change the way you see the world. Take advantage of it. It’s short and it’s rewarding, and it will change your life like it did mine.”
*At the time Karen studied at IE, the program was presented as the Master in Business Analytics & Big Data.
