Emily Lyons, Chief Enterprise Data & Data Science Officer, Liberty Mutual Insurance

[…] science and digital analytics teams focused on improving claims outcomes. Emily went on to lead Claims Operational Solutions, overseeing functions such as data science, workforce management, claims technology, and innovation. This role expanded her experience in operational leadership and cross-functional execution. From 2018 to 2023, Emily served as Chief Data Officer for Global Retail […]

Asha Saxena, Founder and CEO, World Leaders in Data and AI

Asha Saxena is Founder and CEO of World Leaders in Data and AI, where she focuses on advancing data and AI leadership through global community building, education, and enterprise engagement. Her career has been shaped at the intersection of data, product, and business transformation, with a consistent focus on closing the gap between insight and […]

Van Lin, Sr Director, Strategic Alignment Office, Freddie Mac

[…] Data Officer. With more than 25 years of experience, including over two decades in leadership roles, she has built a career at the intersection of business and technology, focused on data operations, governance, and transformation. Van’s professional journey at Freddie Mac has progressed through a wide range of roles from programmer analyst to senior […]

Tijuana Willis, VP, CDO Governance, Zurich American Insurance Company

Tijuana Willis is Vice President of CDO Governance at Zurich American Insurance Company, where she leads governance initiatives that support enterprise data management and strategic alignment. With more than three decades at Zurich North America, Tijuana brings deep institutional knowledge and a consistent track record of delivering large-scale data programs. Tijuana is responsible for advancing governance frameworks that ensure data is […]

Michael Leal, SVP Enterprise Data Senior Manager, Truist

[…] Data Senior Manager at Truist, where he leads enterprise data initiatives focused on governance, risk management, and operational performance. With more than 15 years of experience in technology and data-driven transformation, he brings a structured, delivery-focused approach to managing complex programs within large-scale organizations. Since joining Truist, Michael has progressed through a series of […]

Craig Lescher, Data & AI Governance Director, Sidley Austin LLP

[…] an increasing need to balance innovation with regulatory and reputational considerations. Craig’s role extends beyond governance design into execution and interim leadership across adjacent areas, including marketing technology and product management within finance. This breadth reflects a pragmatic approach, embedding governance within real operational contexts rather than treating it as a standalone function. Prior […]

Ari Kaplan, Global Head of Evangelism, Databricks

Ari Kaplan is Global Head of Evangelism at Databricks, where he works with organizations worldwide to advance the use of data and AI at scale. His career spans multiple waves of technological change, from early database systems and the rise of the internet to modern lakehouse architectures and AI-driven platforms. Ari began as one of the early […]

Randy Bean, Founder, CEO, Advisor, Data & AI Leadership Exchange

[…] who focuses on projects that create value for the company while terminating those that do not deliver a return, and a strategist who deeply understands the AI technology landscape.” 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 […]

Sushma Punuru, EVP, Chief Data Officer, Global Payments

[…] business needs. Today, at Global Payments, Sushma evaluates every initiative through an outcomes-first lens. Her leadership emphasizes translating data and AI investments into measurable commercial impact, ensuring technology serves as a catalyst for transformation. As a data and AI leader, which traits and skills do you think matter most, and which of those […]

Sandeep Mahajan, Director, Data Science, Walmart

[…] of operations, data, and people to deliver AI and analytics that change how work gets done at scale. His career has been shaped by the belief that technology only creates value when it is grounded in real workflows and adopted on the front line. Sandeep began his career in large-scale operations and supply chains, […]

Richard Leaton, Vice President – Data, Analytics, and AI, Novelis

[…] competitive asset. He champions the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning at scale, while modernizing data governance, unifying master data, and bridging IT and operational technology. Richard’s leadership reflects a practical, business-first approach, grounded in the belief that data and AI deliver value only when they are embedded into real-world operations. […]

Richard Floyd, Chief Data & AI Officer, City National Bank

[…] Richard has built and scaled teams that promote data-centric cultures and embed evidence-based decision-making into everyday business processes. He places strong emphasis on data literacy and aligning technology initiatives with business outcomes, ensuring that data capabilities translate into measurable value. Richard’s perspective is rooted in the belief that data serves as a guiding compass—helping […]

Meenal Iyer, VP, Data, Surveymonkey

[…] as the GET framework (Growth, Effectiveness, and Trust) for evaluating AI initiatives. In addition to her leadership role, Meenal is an active advisor and mentor within the data and technology ecosystem. She advises venture capital firms investing in data and AI tools and serves on advisory boards for several emerging companies. She also mentors aspiring data professionals and […]

Meaghan Ferrigno, Senior Vice President, CFO & CDAO, Destination Canada

[…] leader. Meaghan Ferrigno is Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Destination Canada, where she operates at the intersection of strategy, finance, technology, and performance. Her career has not followed a traditional or linear “data” path. Instead, it has evolved through roles with direct accountability for results, trade-offs, and […]

Joshua Paul Nafman, VP, Data, Diageo

[…] advertising executions on nytimes.com. Seeing millions of users actively engage with a technically and visually sophisticated digital experience sparked his long-term fascination with the intersection of creativity, technology, and scale. He then moved brand-side, spending the next decade at Pepsi, KIND, and Hello Products. There, his focus shifted from traditional TV advertising to digital, […]

John Rogers, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Cotality

[…] clinical trial software for a global pharmaceutical company, and even taken delivery of new Boeing 777 aircraft in Seattle. Across these varied roles, John has focused on how data, technology, and deep industry expertise can work together to deliver meaningful change. He believes the most effective solutions combine strong technical capability with domain knowledge to create systems that […]

Dr Paul Pallath, Chief Data & AI Officer, GoFundMe

[…] technical skills) you would give to an aspiring data or AI leader aiming for the C-suite? “My non-traditional advice is to stop treating AI transformation as a technology program. At this point, it’s clear AI can work. What determines success is whether you can redesign the people-and-process system around it. “Most organizations fail because they try to fit AI […]

Chris Gifford, Chief Data Officer, American Express

[…] can do, what they cannot do, and why strong foundations matter. Helping senior leaders understand that AI depends on disciplined data practices is often what enables sustained progress. The most effective data leaders serve as translators between technical teams and business leaders, building shared understanding and trust. That trust ultimately unlocks far more value than technology alone.”

Bryce Macher, VP, AI Engineering, FanDuel

[…] technical skills) you would give to an aspiring data or AI leader aiming for the C-suite? “I have learned that real leverage comes from both people and technology being at the cause of decisions, not at the effect of them. “Many aspiring data and AI leaders focus on producing better analyses, models, or dashboards. […]

Bhagyesh Phanse, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Starbucks Coffee Company

Bhagyesh Phanse is Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Starbucks Coffee Company, where he leads global data strategy and advanced AI development to drive customer engagement, operational efficiency, and business growth. With more than 18 years of experience, Bhagyesh has built his career transforming data and analytics capabilities within large, customer-focused organizations. Bhagyesh began his […]