At Guild 2024, a select group of senior data and AI leaders explored not just the strategic remit of the CDAO, but the emotional clarity and resilience the role demands. It wasn’t a conversation about dashboards or pipelines—it was about what it truly takes to lead transformation in environments that are fast-moving, ambiguous, and often under pressure. We captured the key takeaways in Voice of the CDO 2024.
Post-event Dael Williamson, EMEA CTO at Databricks, Volker Buscher, CDO and Senior Advisor, DataIQ and Catherine Taylor, Senior Director of Enterprise Data & Analytics at Elsevier came together to further unpack the human side of data leadership.
“There is an emotional cycle many CDAOs experience in their roles. It often starts with optimism, energy and a sense of purpose —what they describe at Saïd Business School at Oxford University as “walking in sunshine.” But for many, the sunshine doesn’t last. Disillusionment can set in when organisational complexity, resistance, or misaligned expectations start to bite,” explained Volker.
The real job: leading through ambiguity
In many ways, the CDAO role is unique. Unlike a traditional P&L owner, many CDAOs must lead by influence—not authority. They’re expected to deliver value, modernise infrastructure, manage risk, and guide AI strategy—all while navigating shifting expectations from the board, the C-suite, and their own teams.
It’s not surprising that many leaders, as Catherine shared, go through a phase of internal friction.
“A lot of angst comes when your aspirations for what data could do don’t match what the business is ready for,” she explained. “But that’s also when you learn to ground yourself—not in the hype, but in what’s possible right now.”
That grounding matters. Because in a role where success is rarely linear, emotional clarity becomes a core leadership skill. It’s what allows a CDAO to navigate resistance, prioritise wisely, and help others stay calm amid change.
It’s a theme we will be exploring much more deeply at Guild 2025.
Resilience is a strategic asset
The conversation turned to the nature of transformation: it isn’t a moment—it’s a series of small, sustained choices that accumulate into momentum. As Catherine described it, success often comes from anchoring in tangible progress rather than chasing perfection.
“You don’t transform overnight. You build trust through consistent delivery—one use case, one conversation, one relationship at a time.”
The leaders who thrive in this environment? They’ve stopped expecting clarity from others. Instead, they bring it with them. They own their narrative. They scrutinise business goals, challenge assumptions, and build partnerships. And most of all, they understand what game they’re playing—which means they aren’t thrown off course every time the business pivots or a new technology trend lands.
It’s not a personality trait. It’s a practice.
And it’s one data and AI leaders are refining together at Guild.
This is why Guild exists
Now in its fourth year, Guild is the only closed-door forum where senior data and analytics leaders explore not just how to deliver impact, but how to sustain themselves while doing it.
This year, as AI-first ambitions accelerate, the stakes are higher than ever. The noise is louder. The expectations are sharper. And yet, the opportunity to lead with confidence, clarity, and integrity has never been greater.
These conversations only happen at Guild.
“The first time I attended Guild while I was CDO at Arup. I felt like I’d found my tribe,” – Volker Buscher, CDO and Senior Advisor, DataIQ.
“Guild’s secret recipe: provocative and motivating perspectives, high-quality presentations and panels by experienced CDOs/CxOs, and meaningful, relevant and actionable discussions.” – George Papadatos, Global Head of Data Strategy and Data Assets, Syngenta.
Register your interest in attending Guild
Guild is an invitation-only event for senior data and AI leaders. This year, it takes place from 17th to 19th June in Brihuega, just outside of Madrid, Spain.
If you would like to contribute your voice and experience to this unique think tank, register your interest here.
