Mike has secured his spot as a top data and AI leader in North America with a career grounded in sustained, cross-industry execution. With over three decades spanning diverse sectors, he brings a pragmatic understanding of how data translates into operational improvement and commercial impact. At Brown & Brown, his focus on deploying and embedding AI by connecting disparate business units, improving product visibility, and enabling better decision-making at scale has been inspirational. What sets Mike apart is his emphasis on culture with building data literacy, fostering cross-functional teams, and investing in people as the real drivers of adoption. In an industry still grappling with fragmented implementation, his ability to align technology, teams, and business outcomes marks him out as a leader delivering durable impact.
Mike Vaughan is Chief Data Officer at Brown & Brown Insurance, where he partners with business, analytics, and technology leaders to build a data-driven, innovation-focused culture across the enterprise. Working across Brown & Brown’s retail, Arrowhead programs, Bridge Specialty Group, and enterprise teams, he helps ensure data is used effectively to strengthen decision-making and accelerate product development.
Mike brings more than 30 years of experience spanning technology and data leadership roles across a wide range of industries, including textile manufacturing, PC manufacturing, aerospace, consulting, retirement services, banking, and insurance. That breadth has shaped a practical, business-first approach grounded in solving real problems and delivering scalable outcomes.
Known for his collaborative leadership style, Mike is passionate about building strong partnerships across functions and creating environments where teams can thrive. He places particular emphasis on teammate development, investing in coaching, growth opportunities, and team-building practices that strengthen both performance and culture.
Throughout his career, Mike has valued the relationships built along the way, viewing trust, shared purpose, and long-term collaboration as essential ingredients in driving meaningful change through data.
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?
“Active listening, collaboration, and entrepreneurship are critical for data and AI leaders to partner with the business and drive the reengineering of processes required to truly transform an organization with AI.
“All three have been influential within Brown & Brown as they are all deeply ingrained in our culture.”
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?
“Get out of your comfort zone and force yourself to grow. Seek new opportunities that require you to learn new areas of the business, learn new technical skills, and create new relationships.”