Kendell Timmers is Senior Vice President of Data Analysis, Science, and Insight at CNN, where she leads efforts to translate data into strategic decision-making and measurable business impact. With a career spanning airlines, finance, and publishing, she brings a broad industry perspective and a consistent focus on using analytics to drive growth, improve efficiency, and sharpen organizational performance.
A strategic data and analytics leader, Kendell has built a reputation for tackling complex challenges in fast-moving, data-driven environments. She is known for optimizing data assets to unlock revenue opportunities, streamline operations, and enable smarter decisions across the business. Her work reflects a balance of technical fluency and commercial focus, with an emphasis on delivering tangible outcomes rather than theoretical insight.
Some of Kendell’s proudest career moments have come from rallying cross-functional teams to build something new or to make complicated processes work better. Highlights include helping bring first-party targeting to The New York Times’ advertising business and leading initiatives that improved operational effectiveness through smarter use of data.
Kendell is recognized as an inspirational and collaborative leader, committed to hiring and developing high-impact teams aligned around shared goals. She leads with curiosity, values healthy debate, and is driven by a belief that strong data cultures are built through both innovation and execution.
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 number one trait is curiosity. Data people always need to be asking ‘Why?’ and seeking to understand the story behind the result.
“Additionally, strong collaboration and communication skills are required to be the connective tissue between all functions in the organization.
“Strong logical thinking and emphasis on facts as data is the source of truth and basis for decision-making.
“Have the ability to tell the unbiased story rather than tell people what they want to hear, and an eagerness to change, adapt, and try new tools and methodologies constantly.”
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?
“Build a strong network, including many people outside of data.
“You will need to understand how every part of your company works; from how finances work and how the company makes money, to how the HR function works, to how marketing, product and every other specific function in your company operates, to be able to lead at a high level. Focusing only on technical skills and relationships within the data and tech side will not get you to the next level.”