Cincinnati Data Leaders Forecast 2025 Trends at CDO Magazine Boardroom Dinner

An intimate group of data, analytics, and AI leaders from across Cincinnati got together at the CDO Magazine Executive Boardroom Dinner on November 19 to explore "Technology Trends & Their Impact Heading into 2025."

The event featured candid exchanges on critical topics like the evolution of AIOps, recent achievements in AI, and the steps required to foster a robust data-driven culture over the coming years. Executives also reflected on the lessons learned in 2024 and identified actionable strategies to navigate the opportunities and challenges of 2025.

“CDO Magazine creates forums that promote community and collaboration, enabling technology leaders to share ideas, grow networks, and advance the technology ecosystem in Cincinnati," says Todd James, Kroger subsidiary 84.51 Chief Data & Technology Officer.

Sharing his take, Marc Cordray, First Financial Bank FVP, Sr. Director, Enterprise Data Management, says: "Despite years of emphasizing the importance of being data-driven, many organizations still struggle to understand what this looks like internally. I think the current generative AI landscape is putting greater pressure on aligning organizational structures in a way that facilitates data literacy, fosters the reuse of data assets, and aligns AI use-cases to measurable outcomes. Technology is only a piece of a more holistic and complex framework."

Steve Wanamaker, CDO Magazine Founder & Publisher, reflects: "It’s crucial to create spaces where top minds in technology and data leadership can come together to share insights and strategies. As we look ahead to 2025, these conversations are vital in helping organizations not only adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape but also harness the full potential of emerging technologies like AI and AIOps to drive meaningful business outcomes.”

Summing up the event, moderator Dwayne Emerson, Client Services Partner at AHEAD, says, “The small settings and broad discussions on topics that will shape business in Cincinnati in 2025 and beyond was very energetic with this group last night. The power of candid conversation with no hidden agenda is magical.”

Special thanks goes to AHEAD for their partnership in making the event a success.

* Todd James and Marc Cordray are members of the CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board.

Executives attending the Cincinnati CDO Magazine Executive Boardroom Dinner included: 

Matt Booher, The E.W. Scripps Company Sr. Director, Data & Analytics; Bob Castellini, Wells Fargo Advisors Managing Director, Investments; Marc Cordray, First Financial Bank FVP, Sr. Director, Enterprise Data Management; Blair Davis, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Director, Decision Science, Quality & Transformation; Matthew Dowling, Great American Insurance Group Divisional AVP, Enterprise Analytics; Christopher Eldredge, Paycor VP, Data Office; Todd James, 84.51 Chief Data & Technology Officer; Akhil Mahajan, Procter & Gamble Technical Director, Data & AI; Durga Mantha, Elevance Health Director, Engineering; Charis Santillie, Charis Your Life Fearless Transitions Coach; Dwayne Emerson, AHEAD Client Services Partner; Taylor Gorning, AHEAD Managing Director; Steve Wanamaker, CDO Magazine Founder & Publisher; Michelle Ziegler, CDO Magazine Global VP, Partner Development & Events.