Cincinnati Data & Security Leaders Talk AI & Trends at CDO Magazine Community Dinner

Leading executives in data, analytics and security gathered at Great American Ball Park on March 12 for CDO Magazine’s Cincinnati Executive Community Dinner. The dinner was an opportunity for industry experts to network and exchange their unique experiences and perspectives. 

Speaking on the event, CDO Magazine Founder and Publisher Steve Wanamaker says: “The Cincinnati data, analytics and security community is experiencing exciting growth. It is serving as a catalyst to champion technology that’s impacting the Midwest.”

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The evening’s panel discussion focused on “Trends Most Impacting Enterprise Data, Analytics & Security in 2024.” Panelists Todd James, 84.51˚ Chief Data and Technology Officer; Matt King, Belcan Chief Security and Data Officer spoke with moderator Craig Ottaviani, Cohesity Senior Director of Sales, Ohio Valley Enterprise, on:

• Their most important AI priorities

• Their digital transformation journeys

• Current trends around experimentation with advanced technologies

• The impact of AI governance

• Measuring ROI from data, analytics & security investments

Sharing his key takeaways from the discussion, Arun Kumar Moolchandani, Travelers Senior Director, Data Engineering, says:

1. Different organizations are in different stages of their AI journey. However, there is distinctive executive support for adopting AI across the board. For GenAI, 2023 was the year of education and experimentation, and 2024 is going to be the year of delivering value.

2. When sharing what others can learn from their journey, James suggested starting with internal use cases first, then external use cases. As technology is rapidly changing, it will create a new normal and organizations need to embrace this new normal.

3. Regarding KPIs to measure success of GenAI initiatives, the speakers recommended using “EBITA contribution” as a measure of value delivered. In the initial stages, data literacy and education can be considered as well.

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Christopher Eldredge, Paycor Vice President, Data Office, valued the chance to learn from his peers both their strategic priorities “as well as some of the key challenges that I'm also facing. It was great to really understand that everybody is dealing with similar topics.”

Moderator Ottaviani was honored to be part of the event, saying: “It was evident as soon as I walked in that this is a community of people looking to share and exchange knowledge.”

Speaker James agrees: “What I like the most about CDO Magazine is it brings the technical community in Cincinnati together, making us better as individuals and making us better as a community. It makes a big difference.”

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Summing up the event, panelist King says: “CDO magazine events are always top-notch. I love sharing my experiences as well as learning from the experiences of others. What Steve has built provides us an opportunity to do just that. We only grow as a collective community, and I’m proud to be a part of this one. This Community Dinner reminded me that we all have data challenges, especially as it relates to responsible usage of AI. The key to moving forward is a balance between taking risks and being cautious, along with learning from each other’s mistakes.”

The CDO Magazine Cincinnati Executive Community Dinner was sponsored by CoStrategix, Cohesity and Enlivened Tech.

Leaders attending included:

Jarrod Anderson, SYRV Chief Technology Officer; Liz Andrews-Bock, Fifth Third Bank SVP, Software Engineering; Nicole Beckwith, The Kroger Company Manager, Threat Operations; Jeff Boerio, U.S. Bank SVP, Director, Incident Response; Matt Booher, E.W. Scripps Company Sr. Director, Data & Analytics; Gregg Burke, Stellar Director, Business Development; Jill Campbell, Campbell IT Consulting; Bob Castellini, Wells Fargo Advisors Managing Director, Investments; Mike Carr, Kroger BISO; Nancy Colton, Carelon Staff VP, Enterprise Data & Analytics; John Conrard, 84.51° Technical Director, Governance & Risk Management; Dave Corfman, Totes-Isotoner Sr. Director, IT; Brian Cunningham, American Financial Governance Director; Christopher Eldredge, Paycor VP, Data Office; Robert Fraley, 84.51° Director, Data Engineering; Mufaddal Frosh, TriHealth Director, Data Solutions; Matt Godsted, 84.51° Director, Enterprise Security; Aaron Gomez, Supply Chain Consultant, Principal Solutions Architect; Richard Hempel, SYRV CEO; David Imhoff, Kroger Director, Application Security; Todd James, 84.51° Chief Data & Technology Officer; Mike Kelley, EW Scripps Company CISO; Matt King, Belcan Chief Security & Data Officer; Joe Lammers, Cintas Director, IT Portfolio; Daniel Laakso, U.S. Army Professor, Military Science; Jake Lorz, Cintas VP & CISO; Akhil Mahajan, Procter & Gamble Director, Data & Analytics; Vikas Mahajan, Travelers Insurance AVP, Data Engineering; Robert McInerney, Synchrony Bank SVP, Technology Service Delivery; Arun Kumar Moolchandani, Travelers Insurance Sr. Director, Data Engineering; Filipe Oliveira, Aero Fulfillment Services Director, IT; Tuan Phan, ThreatReel AVP, Data Security; Parag Pujari, Valley Asphalt Corporation CIO; Dave Ramsey, former Macy's Director, Data Science & Product Analytics; Matt Scheurer, Financial Services Industry AVP, Computer Security & Incident Response; Rohit Sharma, Fechheimer Brothers Director, Enterprise Apps; Lynn Watson, Dinsmore & Shohl Director, Security, Risk & Compliance; Cedric Wells, Gorilla Glue Director, IT Infrastructure; Tracie Wichman, Fifth Third Bank Chief Technology Strategy Officer; Dan Whitacre, former Kroger Sr. Director, Kroger Labs and Transformation; Jonathan Adams, SALIX Data President; Lance Coulter, Cohesity Sr. Account Executive; David Fatherree, CoStrategix RevOps Analyst; Nina Fennema, Wavicle Data Solutions Sr. Client Executive; Andy Losekamp, CoStrategix VP, Sales; Katie Nelson, Wavicle Data Solutions Associate Director; Craig Ottaviani, Cohesity Sr. Sales Director; Andrew Simmons, Wavicle Data Solutions Partner; Mark Smith, Cohesity Systems Engineer; Gary Wilson, CoStrategix Director, Account Management; Christine Zmich, RSM Director; Steve Wanamaker, CDO Magazine Founder & Publisher; Michelle Ziegler, CDO Magazine Global VP, Partner Development & Events; Camille Prado, CDO Magazine Global Editor; Mindy Mobley, CDO Magazine Global Events Director; Karyl Cunningham, CDO Magazine Global Events Manager; Kylie McCarthy, CDO Magazine Global Events Manager; Jackie Osborne, CDO Magazine Global Events Manager; Douglas Patterson, CDO Magazine Art Director.