Alum Fellow Elena Grewal ’02 on Data, Ice Cream, and Asking for Help

During her speech, Grewal explained that when she first started Hopkins as a seventh grader, the curriculum was challenging for her, especially in math and English. Eager not to fall behind, Grewal continued to seek extra help. Eventually, she went on to win the “Most Improved” award in seventh grade. Later, Grewal won the Baldwin Essay Prize in eleventh grade, then graduated at the top of her class. 

“It was an important lesson for me that sometimes you're going to be behind, out of your element, and you may need other people’s help. Take it. The point is to learn and grow, not do it yourself.” Grewal said.  

Grewal’s journey beyond Hopkins has been one of forging new paths. While pursuing her PhD in Education at Stanford, with a special interest in the interactions of children from different socioeconomic backgrounds, Grewal had to take several introductory coding and statistics classes—humorously noting that she was in a class full of undergraduates. 

Her training in coding and statistics eventually led her to a job as a data scientist at Airbnb in 2012, becoming the first person to hold that title at the company.

Grewal explained that when she arrived at Airbnb, she felt the same way she had when she first arrived at Hopkins.

“All the tools were different, and I needed to learn them very quickly. I asked my colleagues for help constantly.”

Eventually, Grewal became the head of data science, leading a team of over 200 people, a role she credits to her willingness to ask for help. While presenting to top Airbnb executives, she reflected on how the extracurricular activities she participated in at Hopkins such as The Razor, a cappella, and the debate team, were critical to her professional relationships and confidence. 

“Extracurriculars are really the life-skills part of your Hopkins education,” Grewal said. “These activities taught me how to work with people. They taught me how to get up in front of a crowd… I didn’t have any problem getting up in front of the executives.”

By 2019, Grewal had left Airbnb and returned to New Haven to launch Data 2 the People, her own data science consulting firm focused on using data for real-world impact—fighting climate change, supporting public education, advancing human rights, and empowering communities to make informed choices for the public good.

After the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Grewal was walking through her neighborhood in East Rock when she passed an empty storefront.

“I had this vision of how amazing it would be if it were an ice cream store,” she said. “It was right next to this beautiful park, and I imagined people walking in the park and coming to get ice cream.”

Although Grewal had “no idea” how to run an ice cream shop, she did what she had learned to do throughout her life: she asked for help– and she collected data.

While the storefront of Elena’s on Orange was under construction, Grewal posted a survey with a QR code on the front door, inviting the community to share input on the flavors they wanted to try. Using the insights from the responses, Elena’s on Orange became a popular fixture in the East Rock community, known for its delicious ice cream, long lines, and happy customers. 

Customer feedback remains a core part of her business model. Every Wednesday, the shop offers a “test kitchen” flavor with customer feedback playing a key role on whether that flavor earns a spot in the regular rotation. 

Grewal is now teaching Real World Environmental Data Science—a course she designed—at the Yale School of the Environment. Between teaching at Yale, managing Elena’s on Orange, and being a mom to a toddler with baby #2 on the way, she is keeping busy and happy to be back in New Haven.

To round out her visit to Hopkins, Grewal spent the morning connecting with students in a brunch Q&A, and a visit to Dr. Gries’ Multivariable Calculus class. Students were curious about how she uses data in running her small business, and asked about recommendations for the best courses to take for a career in data science. They were especially interested in Elena’s latest ice cream flavors and whether they were hiring for the summer season, which, indeed, they are. She encouraged them all to apply, and of course, ask for help if they need it.

The Hopkins Fellows program was established in 2005 to enrich the Hopkins learning experience by exposing students to alumni who inspire, challenge, engage, and educate through sharing their unique life experiences.