Andrew Foster is Chief Data Officer at M&T Bank. His career spans three continents and major financial centers, including London and New York. That international experience has shaped a pragmatic, globally informed approach to data leadership.
Andrew began his career building hands-on expertise in data and analytics at institutions both small and large, learning the discipline from the ground up. Today, Andrew leads AI and data strategy where he is responsible for shaping data and advanced analytics support growth, risk management, operational performance, and more. His mandate includes modernizing data infrastructure, strengthening governance, and ensuring that AI initiatives are aligned with measurable business outcomes.
Having worked across geographies and financial institutions of varying scale, Andrew brings a balanced perspective on how to build resilient, scalable data organizations that create lasting enterprise value.
As a data and AI leader, which traits and skills do you think matter most, and which of those have been most influential for you in your current position?
“Traits like stakeholder influencing and the ability to absorb and distill complex concepts into consumable messages.
“Leaders need the ability to lead a team of experts whose individual knowledge surpasses your own in their domain area and to deliver outcomes in complex matrix organizations.
“By doing this you can influence, inspire, and cajole an organization to its target state.”
Reflecting on your career, what is one non-traditional piece of advice (outside of technical skills) you would give to an aspiring data or AI leader aiming for the C-suite?
“Take communication training and do an improv course.”