Columbus Data Leaders Address Data Transformation Challenges at CDO Magazine Dinner

CDO Magazine’s Executive Boardroom Dinner on September 24 offered a unique opportunity for data, analytics and AI executives in the Columbus area to network, learn from industry peers, and gain a deeper understanding of the latest trends and best practices in data strategy.

The event featured a panel discussion around “Data Transformation: What It Really Means Today and in the Future."

The panel of experts were:

• Kelly Dearwester, Old National Bank Chief Data Officer

• Drew Smith, OhioHealth Chief Data & Analytics Officer

• Mark Marshalek, Farmers Insurance Head, Data Governance

 The discussion was moderated by Mike Anderson, Tealium Founder & CTO.

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Sharing his takeaway from the event, panelist Dearwester emphasizes the multifaceted challenges data leaders face, including regulatory pressures, the exploration of Generative AI, and the need to effectively organize data to enable key business decisions. He notes, “Data leaders must spend quality time with the business and deeply understand what success looks like.”

Dearwester outlines several key ingredients to a successful data strategy:

1. The ability to quickly identify business insights (aligned with business strategy)

2. Deliver them to the appropriate channel (easy to act upon)

3. Energize teams to act upon insights (buy-in is critical)

4. Measure the results to ensure actions are effective (are we moving the right needle/measure).

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Panelist Smith likes the value of the collaborative environment that CDO Magazine creates. “Connecting with like-minded peers who are leading large organizations through the data and AI journey in the small, connected setting that CDO Magazine arranges is always worth two hours of my time,” says Smith.

He appreciates the broader insights from the panelists that prompt him to rethink existing strategies and values the opportunity to delve into deeper discussions with fellow leaders. “The CDO Magazine team does a great job gathering the community and curating the environment to make sure these discussions come alive,” Smith adds.

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Panelist Marshalek agrees and emphasizes the experience of contributing and learning from others. “It was an incredible opportunity to not only share my insights in the data space but also learn from three other knowledgeable leaders from different industries. I always seem to walk away from these with just a little more insight into future trends that eventually benefit my organization. Absolutely wonderful event,” Marshalek says.

“The Columbus Executive Boardroom Dinner was more than just a gathering—it was a unique platform for leaders to engage in candid conversations about the future of data transformation. We take pride in facilitating these invaluable connections, creating environments where data and analytics leaders can exchange insights and collaboratively shape the industry's future," says Michelle Ziegler, CDO Magazine Global VP, Partner Development & Events.

Special thanks to Tealium for making the CDO Magazine Executive Boardroom Dinner such a resounding success.

*Kelly Dearwester, Drew Smith, and Mark Marshalek are members of the CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board.

Executives attending the Columbus Executive Boardroom Dinner included: 

David Blum, United Wheels Chief Information Officer; Ursula Cottone, Huntington National Bank Chief Data Officer; Tonjia Coverdale, Associated Bank SVP, Chief Strategy Officer, Operations & Technology; Tim Cunningham, Grange Insurance Chief Information Officer; Jasmine De Gaia, Wells Fargo SVP, Head, Customer Data Strategy; Kelly G Dearwester II, Old National Bank Chief Data Officer; Seth Freeman, Bath & Body Works VP, Integrated Marketing & Media; Todd Henley, Northwest Bank VP, Chief Data Governance & Privacy Officer; Laura Koester, Cardinal Health Engineer in Enterprise Logistics IT; Nan Li, Nationwide Insurance VP, AI/ML & Statistical Practice; Tom Marlow, Liberty Mutual Insurance Global Data & Analytics Executive; Mark Marshalek, Farmers Insurance Head, Data Governance; Paul Nichols, Abbott Sr. Director, Insights & Analytics; Jim Perry, CAS Sr. Manager, Data Management; Richard Playko, BMW Financial Services Manager, Data Management & Analytics; Drew Smith, OhioHealth Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Orlando Sprockel, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Director, Information Technology; Robert Weishaar, Cincinnati Insurance Companies VP, Small Business Analytics; Hope Yin Former U.S. Bank SVP, Head, Engineering Engagement; Mike Anderson, Tealium Founder & CTO; Jodie Jansen, Tealium VP, Customer Success; Patrick O’Keefe, Tealium RVP, Sales; Chris Russell, Tealium Sr. Strategic Account Executive, Enterprise; Michelle Ziegler, CDO Magazine Global VP, Partner Development & Events, Lisa Runkle, CDO Magazine Global Event Manager.