Data to Drives: CDO Magazine Connects Cincinnati Leaders at Topgolf

At CDO Magazine’s Executive Community Dinner, Cincinnati area data, tech and security leaders enjoyed celebrating the first day of summer, connecting with their peers and competing to connect with the ball at Topgolf on June 20.

Camille Prado, CDO Magazine Global Editor, says about hosting the event: “What a pleasure it was to see our Cincinnati community having fun and some friendly competition at Top Golf while swapping stories of the challenges and successes in their roles. We’re thrilled to have the privilege of making space and creating a shared experience for peers to connect, collaborate, and build relationships that elevate everyone’s game – on and off the tee.”

 “It was great to step away from the traditional ‘dinner environment’ and get to know one another on a more personal level,” reflects Doug Fuller, TriHealth System Executive, Analytics & Decision Support. “The CDO Executive Dinner at Top Golf provided a great opportunity to meet and network with peers across a wide range of industries. We shared our perspectives and experiences across a wide range of topics – from analytics to AI to parenting.”

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Jake Lorz, Cintas VP and Chief Information Security Officer, agrees, adding: “Last night's CDO Magazine networking event was a classic example of the power of bringing together visionary tech and data leaders. The always vibrant discussions and networking opportunities underscore the critical role active communities like CDO Magazine’s play in driving innovation and solving challenges. By fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing, we are shaping a future where data, AI, and cybersecurity can truly transform and enable business operations.”

Paycor VP, Data Office Christopher Eldredge believes you need to know what the world is doing if you want to be world class. “These events are a great way to learn from other leaders in the data world.”

Andy Willingham, Munich Re Information Security Officer, values the relaxed atmosphere and broader community, saying: “The Topgolf event was top notch. The venue, food, and company were above par. I've participated in other events that were focused more around IT and information security, so it was really great to meet new people and expand my network.” 

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Summing up the event, Arun Kumar Moolchandani, Travelers Senior Director, Data Engineering, Lead Data Engineer, says, “It was great to meet fellow data leaders from the Midwest in a fun and casual environment at TopGolf. Camaraderie, collaboration and a bit of friendly competition was in the air!” 

Further, he describes it as an evening where we discovered that our prowess with data translates surprisingly well to golf swings. Each swing and miss served as a reminder that, while we may not always hit the mark, we continuously strive for improvement. The conversations were as sharp as our best shots, ranging from predictive analytics to the latest trends in data & ML engineering across industries, all while enjoying the unique camaraderie that comes from shared passions. The evening was a perfect blend of networking and leisure, underscoring the importance of balancing work with play.”

 Moolchandani adds, “Thanks to the CDO Magazine team for organizing the event. Looking forward to many more such outings, where we can connect with our friends and peers, share insights, and perhaps even perfect our golf game!”

Special thanks goes to the following sponsors, whose partnership helped make the event a success.

*Arun Kumar Moolchandani is a member of the CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board. Jake Lorz is a member of the CDO Magazine Global Security Board.

Executives attending the CDO Magazine Cincinnati Executive Community Dinner included:

Jill Campbell, CITC LLC Principal Consultant; Tim Cholvat, University of Cincinnati Executive Director; Dave Corfman, Totes-Isotoner Sr. Director of IT; Brad Coppel, Cintas Manager, IT Security; Christopher Eldredge, Paycor VP, Data Office; Doug Fuller, TriHealth System Executive of Analytics; Joe Lammers, Cintas Director IT Portfolio; Jake Lorz, Cintas VP & CISO; Arun Kumar Moolchandani, Travelers Sr. Director, Lead Data Engineer; Emily Morgan, Coterie CISO; Dave Ramsey, former Macy's Director, Analytics and Data Science; John Reder, Cincinnati Children's Director Data & BI Platforms; Tracy Ruberg, The Circuit/T6 Group Executive Director; Rohit Sharma, Fechheimer Brothers Company Director Enterprise Applications; John Sikorski, PL Marketing (for Kroger) Vice President of Retail & Technology; Thomas Wagner, IT Transformation Executive; Lynn Watson, Dinsmore & Shohl Director, Security, Risk & Compliance; Cedric Wells, The Gorilla Glue Company Director, IT Infrastructure Services; Dan Whitacre, University of Cincinnati Adjunct Professor; Andy Willingham,Munich RE ISO; Jocelyn Whitfield, Fifth Third Vice President & Director, Information Security Engineering; Byron Couch, Coretek Account Executive; Warren Greenberg, Lydonia Technologies Regional Vice President of Sales; John Haggarty, Fortinet Major Account Manager; Micheal Krieger, AHEAD Client Director; Michael Sutter, Enlivened Tech CEO; Heather Wade, Synergistic Sr. Client Manager & Strategist; Ed Walsh, Lydonia Technologies Chief Data Officer; Andrew Whetsel, Lydonia Technologies Account Executive; Lien Yoder, Synergistic Sr. Client Director; Karyl Cunningham, CDO Magazine Global Event Manager; Kylie McCarthy, CDO Magazine Global Event Manager; Mindy Mobley, CDO Magazine Global Event Director; Jackie Osborne, CDO Magazine Global Event Manager; Douglas Patterson, CDO Magazine Art Director; Camille Prado, CDO Magazine Global Editor; Lisa Runkle, CDO Magazine Global Event Manager; Michelle Ziegler, CDO Magazine Global VP, Partner Development and Events.