CDO Magazine Summit Sparks Knowledge Exchange among Data & AI Execs

CDO Magazine Summit Sparks Knowledge Exchange among Data & AI Execs
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The CDO Magazine Summit 2024 drew leading data, analytics, and AI executives from across North America to Cincinnati to exchange learnings, tackle common challenges, and refine industry practices on October 1. An impressive list of speakers and experts representing a variety of industries such as healthcare, banking, financial services, government, and retail launched CDO Magazine’s Data, AI & Security Week.

The opening summit was followed by the CDO Magazine AI Boardroom Event on October 2, and the Cybersecurity Summit on October 3.

Steve Wanamaker, Founder and Publisher, CDO Magazine, says, "The CDO Magazine Summit is more than just a gathering of industry leaders; it's a platform for exchanging groundbreaking ideas and shaping the future of data-driven business strategies. We're proud to bring together the brightest minds to explore how organizations can harness data and AI to drive real-world impact."

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CDO Magazine thanks the host city Co-Chairs of the CDO Magazine Summit for their leadership: Alexandra Castillo, UC Health VP & Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Bharath Prabhakaran, University of Cincinnati VP & Chief Digital Officer; Mike Brigger, Cintas Sr. Director, Analytics & Enablement; Nate Murray, Fifth Third Bank Chief Data Officer; Todd James, Kroger subsidiary 84.51˚Chief Data & Technology Officer; and Brett Starr, The Cincinnati Insurance Companies VP, MLOps, Data Engineering & Intelligent Automation.

Featuring more than 80 expert panelists, 25 engaging panel discussions, interactive boardroom sessions, and keynote presentations, the event offered participants a valuable platform to connect with peer thought leaders. Attendees had the chance to ask questions in live Q&A segments and explore vendor exhibits showcasing the latest in emerging technologies. Leaders exchanged ideas, shared real-world challenges and solutions, and networked with their peers to foster collaboration.

The discussion topics included:

  • Emerging trends and technologies in data analytics

  • Advanced analytics/AI at scale

  • Unlocking business value through AI

  • Responsible AI

  • The evolving CDO/CDAO/CAIO roles

  • Leveraging data mesh & data fabric

Speaker Paula Osborn, U.S. Department of State Deputy Chief Data & AI Officer, shares that the CDO Magazine Summit is “unlike any conference” she has been to. “I learned more in one day at this summit than in multi-week trainings,” she says. Hearing from peers who are grappling with or have solved issues she is currently working on has given her “actionable tasks and scheduled brainstorms with new CDO Magazine community friends” for when she is back in DC.

“I went expecting to just speak on a panel, and came away with new ideas and solutions for building out enterprise platform teams, developing enterprise AI, AI change management strategies, and more. I now have a community to bounce ideas off of, and new friends to brainstorm with. All leaders in a constantly developing and emerging field need a community like this, and I'm so happy I found mine at the CDO Magazine Summit,” adds Osborn.

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Panelist Bhavna Mehta, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Assistant VP, Data & Analytics, thanks CDO Magazine “for hosting such a fantastic event! It was great to reconnect with familiar faces and catch up on our progress since we last met.”

Sharing her observations, Mehta says, “This time, I noticed a shift in the presentations and discussions — from underlying data integration challenges to a focus on data democratization and federation, highlighting the tangible benefits we’ve begun to see. Responsible AI also emerged as a key theme, with the current awareness around generative AI serving as a powerful tool to draw attention to the importance of traditional AI and data readiness. Loved the idea of bringing AI to the data, encouraging us to think differently about how we deliver insights faster.”

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Speaker Tiffany Perkins-Munn, Head of Data and Analytics for JPMorganChase's Connected Commerce business, says that she had a delightful time at the CDO Magazine Summit in Cincinnati, speaking on a fascinating panel with Shanna Anderson from Fifth Third Bank and Jason Pridemore from Gray Construction on ‘Navigating the Future: Must-Know Trends and Best Practices in Data, Analytics, and AI’ with moderator Robert Parolin from IBM.

Some of the “exciting opportunities” at the summit for Perkins-Munn included:

  • Insightful discussions: The summit featured expert speakers and panel discussions that delved into the latest advancements in AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity, providing attendees with valuable insights applicable across various industries.

  • Networking opportunities: Attendees had the chance to connect and collaborate with colleagues and industry leaders, fostering new partnerships and expanding professional networks.

  • Showcase of innovations: The event highlighted cutting-edge technologies and capabilities in the data and analytics space, offering participants a firsthand look at emerging tools and strategies to enhance their organizational efforts.

Keynote speaker Chaitanya Garikapati, Mars Head Data & Analytics, MARS Pet Nutrition North America, shares key takeaways from his presentation on “Data Transformation: Paving the Way for an AI Driven Future” with Kishor Gummaraju, Tiger Analytics Chief Customer Officer:

  • The key to AI-driven transformation lies in an integrated strategy with clear goals, strong leadership commitment from top to middle management, and high-caliber talent.

  • Central governance with an agile mindset, along with consistent communication, ensures alignment and accountability.

  • A business-led, modular technology and data platform allows for scalable and adaptable AI initiatives, setting the foundation for future growth.

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Speaker Kavita Gupta, American Express VP, Enterprise Data Platforms, describes the Summit as a “very well-attended event, with leaders across a variety of industries representing the forward strides companies are making in data management and governance, enterprise AI strategy, foundational capabilities of data security, quality and observability, and so many more rich and relevant topics.”

“It was so great to be part of the annual global CDO Magazine Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio. The collective experience, knowledge and perspectives in the room were staggering. I enjoyed being on the panel to discuss how companies are creating growth and efficiency in their business through AI, and how they are capturing the ROI around this transformation,” Gupta adds.

Gupta highlights her excitement about “the numerous new acquaintances made during the summit,” and hopes to “continue the dialogue and share in the best practices well beyond the two days! The hospitality from Steve Wanamaker and his entire team, and the attention to detail make it an enriching experience through and through.”

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Sharing an update on LinkedIn about her panel on "AI at Scale: Unlocking Immediate Value in Large Enterprises," panelist Cindy Tu, Discover Financial Services Director IT & Data Audit, writes, “We had such an engaging audience... It was so great to catch up with my data community friends and make new connections.”

Tu also shared the following takeaways from the session:

  • Establishing an AI governance structure is a key first step towards managing AI risks. Key stakeholders like legal, compliance, risk, and audit should all have a seat at the table.

  • Data governance is an enabler not hindrance for AI implementation.

  • Everyone should experiment with AI tools regardless of the roles.

  • Data governance is the foundation for AI Governance. We still need to focus on data governance while experimenting with AI simultaneously.

Paula Osborn, Bhavna Mehta, Tiffany Perkins-Munn, Chaitanya Garikapati, and Cindy Tu are members of CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board.

Executives speaking at the CDO Magazine Summit included:

Greg Adams,The Drees Company VP, Information Technology; Shanna Anderson, Fifth Third Bank Sr. Director - Insights, FDIC, & Customer Data; Kishore Aradhya, Frontdoor Head, Data Engineering & Architecture; Himanshu Arora, Former Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Yogesh Bhardwaj, Sensata Technologies Sr. Director, GSO, Data & IT Shared Services; Mike Brigger, Cintas Sr. Director, Analytics & Enablement; Jill Campbell, AFMCLC Program Manager; Alexandra Castillo, UC Health VP, Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Ashok Chennuru, Elevance Health Chief Data & Transformation Officer; Patrick Chew, AIT Worldwide Logistics VP, AI & Data Science; Marc Cordray, First Financial Bank Sr. Director, Enterprise Data Management; Chathuri Daluwatte, Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease Head AI Diagnostics; Sarang Deshpande, Franciscan Health VP, Data & Analytics; Jason Duke, US Fish & Wildlife Service Chief Data Officer; Brian Dummann, AstraZeneca VP, Insights & Technology Excellence; Christopher Eldredge, Paycor VP, Data Office; Adam Evans, Dinsmore Manager Information Governance & Records; Chaitanya Garikapati, Mars Head Data & Analytics, MARS Pet Nutrition North America; Matt Gosted, The Kroger Co. Cybersecurity Strategy Architect; Rob Golden, Great American Insurance Group Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Juan Gorricho, TD Bank Executive Product Owner, Data as a Service & Data Strategy; Emily Greenwood, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Lead Analyst, Business Intelligence; Kavita Gupta, American Express VP, Enterprise Data Platforms; Jim Halcomb, EDM Council Global Head Research & Development; David Heere, Victoria's Secret Security Architect; Todd Henley, Northwest Bank Chief Data Governance & Privacy Officer; Chris Hutchins, Lifepoint Health SVP, Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Alan Jacobson, Alteryx Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Aravind Jagannathan, Freddie Mac VP & Chief Data Officer; Ryan Kaplan, Fifth Third Bank Sr. Director, Data & Analytics; Pranav Kapoor, Sun Life AVP, Audit Analytics; Ryan Kean, Total Quality Logistics Chief Information Officer; William Kemerer, Allegion VP, Global Data & Analytics; Dennis Kettler, FIS/WorldPay Head Data & AI; Matt King, Belcan Chief Security & Data Officer; Kayleigh Lavorini, Fifth Third Bank VP, Director Data Engineering & Data Strategy; Nan Li, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company VP, AI/ML & Statistical Practice; Vikas Mahajan, Travelers Indemnity Company AVP, Data Engineering; Tom Marlow, Liberty Mutual Head Global Data Strategy & Alignment; Mark Marshalek, Farmers Insurance Head Data Solutions; Geoff McCormack, Progressive Insurance Enterprise Architect, Data Strategy; James McIntyre,YMCA Greater Cincinnati Chief Information Officer; Bhavna Mehta, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Assistant VP, Data & Analytics; Mickey Mentzer, Cincinnati Reds Sr. Director Baseball Systems; Steve Miller; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Director Data Engineering; Arun Kumar Moolchandani, Travelers Sr. Director, Lead Data Engineer; Deval Motka, Genesco Inc Chief Data Officer; Sameer Mungur, Fintech Chief Data Officer; Nate Murray, Fifth Third Bank Chief Data Officer; Narendra Narukulla, JPMChase VP, Quant Analytics Manager; Tasneem Nipplewala, Mass Mutual Head Architecture Data & Security; Paula Osborn, U.S. Department of State Deputy Chief Data & AI Officer; Amit Parulekar, Brown-Forman Director, Global Advanced Analytics & AI Strategy; Jonathan Paul, Fifth Third Bank VP, Director IT Data & AI Governance; Jillian Payne, 84.51° VP, AI Product Management; Scott Peachey, Bread Financial Director, Data Governance & Oversight; Darren Pedroza, Western Alliance Bank Sr. Director, Head Enterprise Data & Analytics; Jonathan Pena, Humana AVP Data Science; Tiffany Perkins-Munn, JP Morgan Chase Head Data & Analytics | JPMC Marketing; Bharath Prabhakaran, University of Cincinnati VP & Chief Digital Officer; Jason Pridemore, Gray Inc. Director Analytics, Artificial Intelligence & Data Governance; Priya Rajaram, FIS/Worldpay Sr. Director, Global Head Merchant Data Solutions; David Ramsey, Former Macy’s Director Data Science; Priya Reddy, Reprise Financial VP EDM, Chief Data Officer; Josette Riep, University of Cincinnati AVP IDEAS, Integrated Data Engineering & Application Services; Tracy Ruberg, T6 Group/The Circuit Executive Director; Flavia Saldanha, Fifth Third Bank AVP, Data Strategist; Shubha Sampath, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati VP, Data & Analytics; Sanjay Saxena, Bread Financial VP, Data Management, Privacy & Protection; Vikrant Saxena, Global Atlantic Financial Group Analytics Officer; Ross Schalmo, Eaton VP, Chief Data Officer; Fahad Shaikh, Interac AVP, Data Strategy & Delivery; Ferial Sheybani, Colliers VP, Head Technology & Data Canada; Chris Sibila, Financial Center First CU Chief Information Officer; KP Singh, Norton Healthcare System Director Data Governance; Tarun Sood, American Century Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Brett Starr, The Cincinnati Insurance Companies VP, Data & Analytics Engineering; Sandy Steiger, Total Quality Logistics Sr. Director, Advanced Analytics; Latha Subramanian, General Motors Financial Sr. VP; Xin (Cindy) Tu, Discover Financial Services Director IT & Data Audit; Denise Turley, US Chamber of Commerce VP, Technology; Jason Tyree, American Family Insurance Distinguished Engineer Enterprise Digital Risk; Jane Urban, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals VP, Customer Engagement Operations; J.D. Whitlock, Dayton Children's Hospital Chief Information Officer; George Casey, RSM Principal; Steve Daly, New Era Sr. VP Solutions, Global Digital Transformation; Clyde Gillard, HPE/NVIDIA Business Development Manager; Kishor Gummaraju, Tiger Analytics Chief Customer Officer; Shrayansh Gupta, EY Managing Director, AI & Data Leader; Josh Higginbotham, Centric Consulting Sr. Architect; Zach Hinson, NVIDIA Retail & CPG Industry Lead; Matt Hitt, NVIDIA OEM Sales Manager; Amy Horowitz, Informatica VP, Data Governance & Data Integration; Jason Hubbard, NVIDIA Solutions Architect; Mark Johnson, CoStrategix Chief Growth Officer; Raj Kanuparthi, Narwal Founder & CEO; Priyanka Karan, AHEAD Field Chief Technology Officer; Palmer Karsh, Burtch Works Market Co-Founder & Director Market Operations; Nigel Newton, Dataiku Sr. Business Transformation Advisor; Tim Padilla, Datavid Director, Sales & Consulting North America; Dan Sandman, HPE AI Solutions Category Manager; Dominic Sartorio, Denodo VP, Product Marketing; Somesh Saxena, Pantomath Inc. CEO & Founder; Gagandeep Singh, Tiger Analytics Regional Sales Head; Craig Smith, Pantomath Inc. VP, Customer Experience; Paul St Vil, Securiti VP, Sales Engineering; Andy Stone, Pure Storage Chief Technology Officer, Americas; Andrew Taylor, HPE/NVIDIA Sr. Alliance Manager; Beverly Wright, Wavicle VP, Data Science & AI; Or Zabludowski, Flexor Co Founder & CEO; and Steve Wanamaker, CDO Magazine Founder & Publisher.

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