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Pierre Myburg, Software and Platform Engineering Lead, Accenture

Pierre has more than 17 years experience in consulting and large-scale delivery across telecommunications, FMCG, utilities, and government. He specialises in designing and implementing complex enterprise solutions that drive digital transformation and measurable business outcomes. Recent highlights include leading enterprise and solution architecture for a major telecommunications client — guiding initiatives in microservices, convergence, pricing […]

Refiloe Olifant, Enterprise Account Manager, Qlik

[…] business growth and long-term client success across diverse industries. With a strong background in IT and telecommunications sales, Refiloe brings over a decade of experience in enterprise technology, having held roles at SAS and IBM prior to joining Qlik. Her expertise lies in identifying customer needs and delivering solutions that translate complex data challenges […]

Dean Erasmus, Chief Data Officer, Microsoft

Dean Erasmus is the Chief Data Officer at Microsoft South Africa, where he leads the company’s data and AI strategy and drives AI transformation and data monetisation initiatives that empower customers to achieve measurable business growth. Overseeing teams across data, AI, and applications, Dean focuses on delivering transformative customer engagements that harness the full potential […]

Andile Bota, Enterprise Account Executive, Qlik

Andile Bota helps organisations turn raw data into actionable insights – fast, securely, and at scale. With more than 15 years of experience in information technology across Africa, Andile has worked extensively with leading banks, telecommunications providers, mining groups, and manufacturers to help them harness data for growth and innovation. Prior to joining Qlik, […]

Deepak Narayanam, Group Head of Data Science and Engineering (CDO), Access Bank

[…] operations and fintech subsidiaries. A visionary data leader and strategic innovator, Deepak is recognised for architecting and deploying transformative data strategies that harness analytics, machine learning, and technology to enhance customer experience, product performance, and operational excellence. With over two decades of international experience spanning APAC, North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, […]

Werner Swanepoel, Senior Vice President – Digital, Sibanye-Stillwater

[…] ability to connect the dots. Data and analytics solutions, including AI solutions, are first and foremost about understanding business opportunity, combined with a solid understanding of how technology can enable. With the rapid evolution of AI capabilities, the way in which we solve will likely change fundamentally. Staying abreast of these developments, while not […]

Daniela Marx, Exec Data, Pepkor NexTech

[…] technical foundation and strategic vision eventually led to her appointment as an executive. In 2016, Daniela developed a data strategy that guided the organisation’s transition to cloud technology, transforming legacy data warehouses onto the Google Cloud Platform. Under her leadership, the data and analytics community has grown to encompass approximately 140 professionals. Today, she […]

Marius Papenfus, Head: Enterprise Data Management, South African Revenue Service

Marius Papenfus has spent more than 30 years working as an information and communications technologist, using his grounding in technology enablement to shape strategy and drive transformation across both government and the private sector. His career spans multiple industries and includes roles in enterprise architecture, programme management, service management, business leadership, and strategy development. […]
03 Dec 2025
Expired!

Designing a Robust, Future-Proof Tech Stack

[…] online sessions with expert presentations and panels on key topics. They provide practical takeaways, thought leadership, and live Q&A, and are open to all levels. ────────────────── The technology landscape for data and AI is evolving at breakneck speed, and leaders need to balance the urgency of delivering solutions with the foresight to build flexible, […]
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Data and AI Leadership: Under Way and Under Pressure

[…] They are exercises in redesigning operating models, decision rights, and roles. “Nearly all AI projects are really operating model projects with value unlocked through rethinking process, data, technology and people.” – Ian Hockney, Group Commercial Director and Office of the CIO, Specsavers. This shifts the emphasis of leadership by recognising that the most critical […]

Leadership Traits Fueling AI Excellence

[…] data and AI leadership. The Human Code Behind Data Leadership: About the Blend Dashboard In the race to operationalize AI, it is tempting to fixate on technology, tooling, architecture, and algorithms to demonstrate value and success. However, what actually shapes a data function is not the tech stack, but the people leading it. […]
Being scalable is essential for data success.

Implementing a Scalable and Governed Self-Service Model

[…] the illusion that tech equals engagement As one CDO warned, “You need to be careful. There are many data teams who think that just through the deployment of technology and process, users will get engaged.” Real engagement comes from giving users something they cannot get elsewhere: richer insights, faster decisions, and simpler processes. Practical […]

Luke Coley, Vice President, EMEA, Alation

[…] decades across data quality, automation, and AI. Prior to joining Alation, Luke held senior roles at Dataminr, Gigya, and Experian, where he consistently bridged the gap between technology capabilities and customer outcomes. Now as Vice President of EMEA at Alation, Luke champions the strategic priorities of data leaders across the region and is passionate […]
Ashish Verma presenting to audience at DataIQ Summit North America 2025

Day 1 Highlights: DataIQ Summit North America 2025

[…] that supports them. He framed Deloitte’s AI journey as one grounded in long-term value, challenging leaders to treat AI as a business transformation agenda rather than a technology initiative. Key takeaways: Reimagining the future reshapes priorities: Successful AI implementation begins by understanding the problem being solved, and use case selection is guided not by […]

Best Responsible AI Program or Initiative – TD: Trustworthy AI

In an era where AI capabilities are accelerating faster than governance frameworks can keep pace, TD has taken a grounded, pragmatic approach to building trust into its AI initiatives, setting an industry benchmark. TD’s initiative stands out for its substance, ambition, and execution. At the heart of its efforts is TD’s Layer 6, the Bank’s […]

Data and AI For Good Champion – Monica Kedzierski, formerly at Herbalife

[…] practice and aligns with deeply held social values. Monica Kedzierski exemplifies what the Data and AI For Good Champion should represent: principled leadership, strategic foresight, and an unwavering belief that technology should serve people. Her work stands as a blueprint for others who want to move from hype to impact, and from aspiration to execution.

Transformation with Data & AI (Client Side) Destination Canada

[…] using natural language, removing the need for technical expertise, while bilingual capabilities ensure equitable access across Canada’s official languages. In development is the integration of digital twin technology, which will allow stakeholders to model interactions with synthetic traveler personas, demonstrating a cutting-edge use of generative AI with massive potential for personalization and planning. Crucially, […]

Grand Prix – International Air Transport Association (IATA)

International Air Transport Association (IATA) has been awarded the Grand Prix for 2025. The Grand Prix is presented to the submission that scored highest across all the judges, which this year has been won by IATA for its submission to the Data and AI for Good Hero Organization Award category. The Incident Data Exchange […]