Ruud is a results-driven AI and Data Science professional with 11+ years of experience developing and deploying machine learning models, data pipelines, and scalable AI solutions. He specializes in deep learning, predictive modeling, and advanced analytics, leveraging frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and MLFlow to build AI-driven applications. With a strong background in cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and DevOps tools (Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD), he ensures seamless integration of AI models into production environments. Ruud is passionate about ethical AI, automation, and transforming data into actionable insights that drive innovation and business growth. He thrives in collaborative environments, mentoring teams and working cross-functionally to deliver impactful AI solutions.
Worked with a large global research and advisory firm to design and develop a data platform including architecture, prototyping, and development of data extract, transformation, cleansing, and integration of structured and unstructured data.
Developed optimal design of data warehouse environments, analyzing complex distributed data deployments and making recommendations to optimize performance.
Transformed raw data into useful information and insights using analytics, BI, and visualization tools.
Worked collaboratively with the board to develop a strategy and approach to defining business challenges to be answered by data analytics.
Managed other data scientists' workload and priorities and developed product/area-specific Data Science roadmaps with increased job efficiency of 45%.
Developed strategies to help clients activate their analytics and create a more data-driven culture.
Supported the development of the Data Analytics team both as line manager and mentor for junior team members.
Measured the effectiveness of improvements through deep analysis of data on performance metrics, striving for high-quality, cost-effective improvements.
Amazon S3 (AWS S3)
AWSPythonBusiness to Business (B2B)
TableauLooker Studio
Dynamic Analysis
Sales Forecasting
Trend Forecasting
Marketing Analytics
Predictive Modeling
G-Star RAW
Senior Data Scientist
2020 - 2021 (1 year)
Amsterdam (Hybrid), Netherlands
Formulated, suggested, and managed data-driven projects to further business interests, tracking and making suggestions for ways to improve KPIs.
Measured the effectiveness of improvements through deep analysis of data on performance metrics, striving for high-quality, cost-effective improvements.
Assisted in the design of various experiments, formulation, discovery of various hypotheses, and training and scoring of existing and potential models.
Identified key performance metrics and benchmarks related to user behavior, user segmentation, and user retention.
Data-driven Marketing
PythonR Programming
Linear Programming
TableauFinancial Forecasting
BigQuery
Bayesian Statistics
Dynamic Pricing
Marketing Analytics
Data ScrapingFinancial Data Analytics
Scientific Data Analysis
Git Repo
NOVI Hogeschool
Data Analytics Teacher
2018 - 2021 (3 years)
Utrecht (Hybrid), Netherlands
Taught Data Science, full-stack development, and cybersecurity-related courses such as Machine Learning, UML, and R/Python programming.
Researched new teaching techniques and strategies and presented findings to other college professors.
Reviewed the current curriculum to check if updates are needed.
Developed intricate algorithms based on deep-dive statistical analysis and predictive data modeling that deepened relationships and strengthened longevity and personalized interaction with customers, leading to a 25% increase in customer satisfaction and 16% increase in sales.
Updated the company's data warehousing techniques, data recall, and segmentation, resulting in a 30% increase in usability for non-technical staff members.
Developed an ETS for data sources used for reporting by the sales, inventory, and marketing departments and modernized the data streamlining processes, reducing redundancy by 25%.
Built statistical models using historical data to conduct customer-based pricing and constructed several predictive models such as bad debt and churn models, resulting in a 20% lower churn and 8% lower high-risk debtors.
Developed prediction algorithms using advanced data mining algorithms to classify similar properties together to develop sub-markets dividing each zip code into sub-markets.
Refined personalization algorithms for 400K customers on web and mobile, boosting engagement and time spent on the platform by 25%.
Solved complex business problems using Machine Learning techniques like Regression, Classification, Supervised and Unsupervised Recommenders, increasing team efficiency by 20% and reducing costs by 27%.
Performed market analysis to efficiently achieve business objectives, increasing sales by 34%.
Used web scraping techniques to extract and organize competitor data for evaluation.
Researched and analyzed political systems in various countries and developed and implemented (social) media strategic plans and political proposals for clients.
Used R to create a matrix of political, demographic, and household data to develop a set of predictive models that applied a score to every voter.
Identified voters who would be positively influenced by ads, mailings, social media, and other outreach efforts, which resulted in local political parties winning several municipal and provincial seats.
Utilized NLP and deep learning techniques to design a Seq2Seq model for a chatbot, using TensorFlow and PyTorch frameworks. The bot was finely tuned to provide context-aware, human-like responses, emulating the tone and expertise of a real customer service representative.
The AI-powered chatbot provided more tailored support, resulting in a 25% increase in customer satisfaction, a 10% reduction in customer wait time, and a 7% improvement in Net Promoter Score (NPS).
The project showcased the potential of NLP, deep learning, and AI-powered automation in revolutionizing customer service, contributing to more personalized, scalable, and efficient customer interactions.
A robust churn prediction model was developed, which analyses subscribers' historical behavior to accurately forecast the likelihood of churn. This was initially done using logistic regression but was later enhanced using advanced data science and machine learning techniques.
Utilizing social network analysis (SNA) for insights into subscribers' interaction patterns, variables capturing the influence of network dynamics on churn behavior were created. The variables were integrated into an ensemble model combining XGBoost and Random Forest algorithms, improving the model's predictive power. Iterative optimization and hyperparameter tuning further boosted the model's accuracy by 18%, outperforming the baseline.
This project demonstrates the effective use of AI, machine learning, and data-driven decision-making in solving complex business problems, enabling proactive customer retention strategies, and reducing churn rates. SNA and ensemble techniques were used, emphasizing the importance of diverse data sources and advanced analytics for actionable insights.
The project aimed to increase customer retention in underserved neighborhoods with limited internet access through advanced data science and AI techniques.
A web scraping bot was designed and implemented to extract, analyze and predict competitors’ expansion plan trends and opportunities; this data fueled machine learning models for customer segmentation and churn prediction.
The AI-powered strategies resulted in a 40% increase in retention rates and provided a scalable framework for future data-driven decision-making.
Developed an AI-powered recommendation engine for a retail company, using machine learning algorithms to increase customer purchase volumes through real-time product suggestions.
The system was built with Python, Scikit-learn, and TensorFlow, incorporating customer segmentation and predictive analytics for personalized recommendations and future buying behavior anticipation.
The implementation resulted in a 15% increase in average order value, 20% boost in repeat purchases, and 10% reduction in cart abandonment, demonstrating the impact of AI in optimizing retail strategies and enhancing customer engagement.
Developed an AI-powered platform for the oil and gas sector that provides predictive maintenance, emissions management, and sustainability compliance. It integrates machine learning, IoT sensor data, and advanced analytics to deliver actionable insights for operational excellence and safety.
The system leverages forecasting models and anomaly detection algorithms to predict equipment failures and maintenance needs with 90% accuracy, reducing unplanned downtime by 20%. Integrated IoT sensors monitor greenhouse gas emissions in real-time, aiding in identifying emission hotspots, forecasting trends, and reducing the organization’s carbon footprint by 15%.
The platform incorporates automated reporting tools to streamline sustainability certification, saving hundreds of manual hours annually. It provides insights for improving sustainability metrics and aligns with global initiatives such as the OGCI and the Paris Agreement, thus positioning the organization as a leader in sustainable practices.
Education
AI & Data Science Expert 3-Star Program - 2016
GAIN® - The Global AI network
2019 - 2019
MSc Environment and Resource Management
VU Amsterdam - Netherlands
2012 - 2014 (2 years)
Post-initial MA Latin American and Caribbean Studies
University of Amsterdam - Netherlands
2010 - 2012 (2 years)
BA Political Science/International Relations/International (Public) Law