Andrew Drinkwater, MBA's Linkedin Analytics

I'm passionate about helping institutions turn complex data into clear, actionable strategy. As President and Co-Founder of Plaid Analytics, I work at the intersection of data science, enrollment strategy, and higher education transformation. We help colleges and universities across North America make better decisions—whether that’s forecasting enrollment, navigating international student policy changes, integrating student systems, or building a data informed culture. With a background in institutional research and enrollment services, I’ve been on the front lines of the data chaos many institutions face: disconnected systems, unclear ownership, and inconsistent definitions. I co-founded Plaid to fix that—through smart tools, streamlined processes, and a team that genuinely understands how universities work. I also teach Analytics and Interpretation in the Faculty of Applied Science at UBC, helping the next generation of professionals build the skills to ask the right questions, visualize results effectively, and think critically about data in context. Current areas of focus: • AI and predictive modeling for enrollment and course planning • Scenario planning for domestic and international enrollment • Empowering stakeholders across the institution to use data effectively Always happy to connect with others working to make data more useful, ethical, and impactful