Chandhu Nair is Senior Vice President of Stores, Data, Artificial Intelligence and Innovation at Lowe’s, where he leads enterprise efforts to embed data and AI into core retail operations and customer experiences. His career has been shaped by working at the intersection of scale, complexity, and real-world impact, primarily within large global organizations where data is abundant, and decisions carry meaningful consequences.
Chandhu began his career in engineering and data platforms, developing a strong foundation in building systems that support speed, reliability, and better decision-making. Early on, Chandhu recognized that technical excellence alone does not create value, but impact comes from translating data into decisions that change outcomes.
Across successive leadership roles, Chandhu has focused on building foundational capabilities that enable organizations to move faster and operate more effectively. His experience has reinforced the view that data and AI are not standalone functions, but multipliers that must be deeply integrated into how businesses run.
At Lowe’s, Chandhu has further refined this perspective within the context of a complex, hands-on retail environment. He emphasizes the importance of aligning data and AI with the realities of the sales floor, supply chains, and digital channels where clarity and usability are critical.
Chandhu’s leadership approach prioritizes practical application, strong cross-functional partnerships, and scalable platforms, ensuring that data and AI initiatives deliver sustained, real-world impact rather than isolated innovation.
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?
“The most important traits for effective data and AI leadership are business fluency, judgment, and the ability to build trust. Technical expertise is essential, but it is not sufficient. Leaders must understand how the business actually operates and where data and AI can realistically improve outcomes.
“Judgment matters because not every problem needs AI, and not every AI capability should be deployed. Knowing where to invest, where to pause, and where to simplify is critical. Trust is equally important as data and AI systems influence decisions at scale, so leaders must earn confidence from executives, associates, and customers through transparency and reliability.
“At Lowe’s, partnership has been especially influential. Progress happens when data and AI teams work closely with merchants, store operations, digital product teams, and supply chain leaders. That collaboration ensures solutions are grounded in real needs and are adopted at scale. The ability to listen, translate, and align across disciplines has been one of the strongest drivers of impact in our organization.”
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?
“My advice would be to spend as much time learning how decisions are made as learning how systems are built. Many aspiring leaders focus on mastering the latest technologies, but the C-suite is ultimately about judgment, influence, and clarity.
“Seek out roles that expose you to ambiguity, trade-offs, and competing priorities. Learn how to communicate complex ideas simply and how to say no when needed. Pay attention to incentives, organizational dynamics, and how trust is built over time.
“Another important lesson is to resist the urge to chase novelty. Sustainable leadership comes from consistency, credibility, and delivering results repeatedly. If you can become known as someone who connects technology to outcomes and helps others succeed, you will naturally earn a seat at the table.”