IN-PERSON

Atlanta CDAO Executive Summit

November 21, 2024 | Westin Atlanta Perimeter North

November 21, 2024
Westin Atlanta Perimeter North

APPLY TO PARTICIPATE

Collaborate with your peers

Get together with Atlanta's top CDAOs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.

Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CDAOs today:

Driving culture change to elevate data and analytics initiatives

Focusing on foundations of data strategy for AI enablement

Communicating the value of D&A’s impact on the organization

Atlanta CDAO Governing Body


The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven by CDAOs, for CDAOs.

Governing Body Co-Chairs

James Bolles

Southern Company
Director, Enterprise Solutions COEs

Snorwlor “Sno” Bropleh

Habitat For Humanity International
Senior Director, Global Integrated Planning – Office of Strategy Management

Vijay Gandapodi

Reynolds American
Head of IT - Data, Reporting, Analytics

Karthikeyan Ramasamy

Guardian
Chief Analytics Officer

Kenneth Viciana

TSYS
VP, Global Data & Analytics Products

What to Expect

Interactive Sessions

Hear from CDAO practitioners and thought leaders on how they're solving critical challenges impacting your role today in Keynote sessions, and join smaller, interactive discussions with your peers in Breakout and Boardroom sessions.

Community Networking

Make new connections and catch up with old friends in casual conversations during dedicated time for networking designed to better acquaint you with your Atlanta CDAO community.

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a private, one-on-one setting through Evanta's Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

Agenda


November 21, 2024

7:45am - 8:30am  Registration & Breakfast

8:30am - 9:15am  Keynote

Creating a Solid Data Foundation to Achieve AI Success

Santosh Kudva headshot

Santosh Kudva

Chief Data Officer

GE Vernova

Delivering business outcomes in the age of generative AI is the current challenge facing data and analytics leaders around the globe. But to be able to do this, it’s critical to have a robust governance and data quality framework. That, however, proves tricky when using unstructured data for GenAI.

 In this session, Santosh Kudva, CDO at GE Vernova, shares insight on:

  • Incorporating Generative AI as part of overall data strategy
  • Utilizing comprehensive analytics to enable data quality 
  • Creating a data framework that can withstand constant evolution

9:15am - 9:40am  Networking Break

9:40am - 10:25am  Breakout Session

Metadata, Data Fabric and Leveraging Generative AI

Gaurav Arora headshot

Gaurav Arora

Chief Customer Officer

Orion Governance

As CDAOs continue to grow in their journeys, it is necessary to ensure your data fabric has a solid foundation on the information as well as the barriers in place accessing it. When we add GenAI into the conversation, how can we leverage this tool to our advantage, ensuring those barriers aren’t compromised? This complex conversation has many considerations, so let's explore them together. Join to explore:

  • An overview of the complexities of Metadata Management
  • The challenges of data fabric as GenAI implementation continues
  • Improving the process and execution of MDM models

9:40am - 10:25am  Executive Boardroom

Data Unification for Better Business Outcomes

Mike Frasca headshot

Mike Frasca

Field Chief Technology Officer

Reltio

Ben Flusberg headshot

Ben Flusberg

Chief Data Officer

Cox Automotive

Mark Mullins headshot

Mark Mullins

Chief Data Officer

United Community Bank

Companies must modernize to remain competitive in today’s dynamic business environment, but siloed, unreliable data makes digital transformation virtually impossible. Traditional solutions to data fragmentation are failing because they are unable to power business applications in real-time and fail to deliver reliable data where and when it’s needed.

Join this roundtable to discuss:

  • Implementing a comprehensive data unification framework to improve trust and reusability of data assets and simplify governance
  • Enabling continuous data integrity and reliability when supporting AI systems
  • Mitigating security risks in AI-driven data processing and decision-making

9:40am - 10:25am  Executive Boardroom

Evolving Data Strategies in the Age of AI

Catalina Herrera headshot

Catalina Herrera

Field CDO

Dataiku

Umesh Kucheria headshot

Umesh Kucheria

Head of Data & Analytics

Delek US

As organizations advance towards data-driven decision-making, AI and machine learning offer immense potential to enhance innovation and governance. Yet, challenges around data quality, scalability, and accessibility persist. Join this roundtable discussion to explore how thought leaders are evolving their data strategies to maximize AI capabilities while ensuring trust and scalability.

In this session, you’ll learn how to:

  • Incorporating AI capabilities within your existing data strategy
  • Establishing robust and systematic AI governance beyond regulatory requirements
  • Understanding and navigating the implications of the EU AI Act on your governance strategies

10:25am - 11:05am  Networking Break

10:30am - 10:55am  Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

11:05am - 11:50am  Breakout Session

ROI of AI ― Achieving Higher Levels of Profitability and Growth

Parul Mishra headshot

Parul Mishra

VP, Product Management, Digital Labor

IBM

With AI software spending projected to reach $297.9 billion by 2027, organizations are under pressure to ensure their investments yield substantial returns. Technology leaders must demonstrate exponential ROI in a short timeframe. No matter the industry or size of organization, there are common pillars that help leaders identify business value. 

Join this session to learn:

  • Creating a robust roadmap for AI initiatives
  • Leveraging the right tools and capabilities for maximum impact
  • Impactful use cases for empowering enterprise productivity

11:05am - 11:50am  Breakout Session

Unlocking Business Value — The Intersection of Data Usability and Security

Anthony Cammarano headshot

Anthony Cammarano

Chief Technology Officer & VP, Engineering

Protegrity

 New technologies are rapidly changing the way we use data to optimize experiences, but the debate between usability and security of sensitive data presents a significant challenge for organizations striving to achieve both local and global data accessibility. 

In this session, we'll discuss:

  • The delicate balance between enabling data to drive business forward and ensuring compliance and user trust
  • Unlocking the door to AI initiatives, advanced analytics and cloud migration with modernized data
  • Interplaying between data risk and consumption to maximize business value and data security posture


11:05am - 11:50am  Executive Boardroom

Empowering Decision Making with Data-Driven Insights

Chris Lawless headshot

Chris Lawless

VP, Global Services

Fivetran

Anthony Canitano headshot

Anthony Canitano

Head of Performance Analytics

IHG

Chris Knight headshot

Chris Knight

SVP Analytics & Innovation

EPIC Insurance Brokers

Meet Patel headshot

Meet Patel

Senior Director, Global Advanced Analytics - Strategy, Capabilities and Culture

Kellanova

As organizations collect more data, it’s crucial to empower the enterprise to use this data to ensure better business and customer outcomes. Organizations who want to futureproof their business will think beyond the dashboard to use data for decision making. Learn how technology leaders are modernizing their data platforms and automating processes to get the most value from their data.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Laying the foundation for predictive and advanced analytics
  • Balancing the benefits of data control with data democratization
  • Encouraging the enterprise to make more data informed decisions

11:05am - 11:50am  Executive Boardroom

AI Readiness — Going from Big Data to Better Data

Jason Bishop headshot

Jason Bishop

Senior AI & AutoML Solution Consultant

Qlik

Lisa Dorsey headshot

Lisa Dorsey

Vice President, Data Governance, Policy & Risk

Fannie Mae

Pankaj Singal headshot

Pankaj Singal

Chief Data Officer, Platform Solutions

Goldman Sachs

 There is so much potential with AI, but also so many new risks. Setting the correct foundation by designing with purpose and value will lead to trusted, better data. But how do you get to this point?

Join this interaction roundtable as CDAOs discuss:

  • Building a robust, trusted foundation for AI
  • Responsibly exposing data to AI
  • Pinpointing the source of troubles within the tech stack

11:50am - 12:35pm  Lunch Service

12:35pm - 1:10pm  Keynote

Telling Your Data Story

Scott Taylor headshot

Scott Taylor

Author, Telling Your Data Story

Guest Speaker

The way we talk about data is holding the industry back so it’s time to rework your “data speak”. Are you struggling with leadership support, craving stakeholder engagement and begging for proper funding? Even though you may create Gen AI wonders with your data, it won’t matter unless you explain the value in practical business terms.

Join The Data Whisperer’s rollicking and riotous review of current buzzwords and some practical tips and tricks on what you can do about it including:

  • Differentiating between a data management narrative and other data storytelling and data literacy efforts
  • Developing strategies to secure sponsorship and funding
  • Executing a simple storytelling approach

1:10pm - 1:35pm  Break

1:35pm - 2:20pm  Breakout Session

Democratizing Data and AI One Question at a Time

Kaycee Lai headshot

Kaycee Lai

Founder

Promethium

Generative AI has the potential to lower barriers to analytics adoption, creating a surge in the number of users. While the benefits are exciting, the risks are glaring for data leaders.

This session presented by Promethium dives into the importance of:

  • Embedding generative AI in today's analytics
  • Integrating generative AI into existing processes and platforms
  • Ensuring that visibility and transparency is incorporated in outcomes

1:35pm - 2:20pm  Executive Boardroom

Enabling a Data-Driven Mindset — Fostering Excellence

Julie Elmore headshot

Julie Elmore

CTO

Global Payments

Sujan Pailwan headshot

Sujan Pailwan

Vice President AI and Automation

Tech Mahindra

Sameer Vittal headshot

Sameer Vittal

Chief Engineer - Data Science/Analytics and Reliability

General Electric

To overcome data context and self-serve technology challenges, D&A leaders must ensure the workforce has the skills and knowledge needed to thrive. While some are establishing data academies, others are weaving data literacy initiatives into their overall D&A strategy.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Assessing and evaluating the current skills within the workforce
  • Creating buy-in to drive data fluency across the enterprise
  • Inspiring a data-driven mindset from the top down

1:35pm - 2:20pm  Executive Boardroom

Maximizing Your Investment in AI

Steve MacLauchlan headshot

Steve MacLauchlan

Head of Data

Ippon

Mustafa Nisar headshot

Mustafa Nisar

Director, Exploratory Data Science & Analytics

The Home Depot

Kenneth Viciana headshot

Kenneth Viciana

VP, Global Data & Analytics Products

TSYS

Generative AI is a great disruptor, shaking up organizations across industry. As businesses race to clench a competitive AI advantage, how can leaders make sure their investments are worth the effort? It’s critical for the enterprise to create a solid data foundation, a culture that breathes D&A and strategic vision for the future to achieve success.

Join this boardroom as your peers discuss:

  • Ensuring proper governance and quality controls are in place to maximize insights
  • Cultivating a data-driven culture organization-wide
  • Developing high-value use cases to show ROI with Gen AI

1:35pm - 2:20pm  Executive Boardroom

Data Governance — Modernizing Your Framework

Jose Buitron headshot

Jose Buitron

Head of Data & AI CoE

Kimberly-Clark

Davis Burgess headshot

Davis Burgess

Executive Director, Enterprise Data & Analytics

Grady Health

Marcy Cunningham headshot

Marcy Cunningham

Head of Information Governance

IHG

Positioning data governance as enablement rather than restrictive is a tactic more data and analytics leaders are taking to gain buy-in. But as the digital enterprise rapidly evolves, governance frameworks must modernize, maturing to address trust, risk and ethics.

Join this session as CDOs discuss:

  • Understanding the baseline for effective governance
  • Identifying common pitfalls or challenges within your policies and teams
  • Outlining a path to ensure framework scalability


2:20pm - 3:00pm  Networking Break

2:25pm - 2:50pm  Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

3:00pm - 3:45pm  Breakout Session

Navigating AI Governance

Ritu Sharma headshot

Ritu Sharma

SVP, Global AI Governance & MRM

Equifax

Gartner predicts that by 2027, more than 50% of enterprises will have implemented responsible AI governance programs to address the growing risks associated with AI, a massive leap from the less than 2% today. Data and analytics leaders understand that AI without strong governance is not only ineffective but also potentially dangerous, creating risks in privacy, ethics, and trust.

 The Global Head of AI Governance at Equifax will delve into the essential pillars of designing and implementing AI systems that prioritize:

  • How to develop an AI governance policy and program
  • Which stakeholders should be involved in the design and operations
  • Tools and resources that are available today to help you begin

3:00pm - 3:45pm  Executive Boardroom

The Ethical Landscape of AI

Jacob Kosoff headshot

Jacob Kosoff

Data Science & Model Development Executive

Bank of America

Karthikeyan Ramasamy headshot

Karthikeyan Ramasamy

Chief Analytics Officer

Guardian

As artificial intelligence technologies advance at a fast pace, the legal and ethical frameworks that govern their development and deployment are evolving. It is imperative for data leaders to ensure that the evolution and utilization of AI systems do not undermine their trustworthiness and ethical integrity.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Balancing ethical considerations with operational efficiency in AI 
  • Establishing robust AI Policies and standards
  • Enhancing stakeholder collaboration in AI strategy

3:00pm - 3:45pm  Executive Boardroom

Data as a Strategic Asset

CK Bhatia headshot

CK Bhatia

Chief Data Officer, SVP, Enterprise Data Strategy & Governance

TDECU-Your Credit Union

Milind Diwanji headshot

Milind Diwanji

Head of Digital Transformation

Siemens

Avidypta Guha headshot

Avidypta Guha

VP, AI & Advanced Analytics

Southwire

Data as a product transforms data management, posing challenges for CDAOs in data quality, compliance and culture. Adopting robust governance, user-centric design and collaboration, CDAOs can overcome these hurdles, unlocking innovation opportunities and guiding organizations towards value-driven data utilization.

Join this round table discussion as peers discuss:

  • Transforming organization and culture
  • Unlocking innovation and value realization through strategic initiatives
  • Practical tips and enablers for impact-at-scale

3:00pm - 3:45pm  Executive Boardroom

Adopting Self-Service & Empowering Democratization

Bindu Chellappan headshot

Bindu Chellappan

SVP Data and Analytics

Corpay

Sudipto Ghose headshot

Sudipto Ghose

VP, Enterprise Data & Analytics

Equifax

Mark Jackson headshot

Mark Jackson

Chief Data Officer

Piedmont Healthcare

An overreliance on IT teams to address data and analytics inquiries often results in bottlenecks and delays. Enabling self-service reports is one way to cut time and propel democratization. But without proper data literacy and understanding of data, this solution remains a challenge for data and analytics leaders.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Determining data privileges for users across the enterprise
  • Enhancing use and understanding of data within the workforce
  • Enabling self-service and reducing IT sourcing time

3:45pm - 4:10pm  Break

4:10pm - 4:45pm  Keynote

Aligning Technology Strategy and Talent for AI Success

Gregory Brown headshot

Gregory Brown

Vice President Global Technology Strategy

UPS

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for our challenges; achieving success requires the right technology strategy coupled with the right talent. According to Gartner, by 2026, the Chief Data and Analytics Officer's (CDAO) proficiency in delivering data and AI literacy, fostering cultural change, and developing a skilled workforce will be among the top three critical factors in supporting business strategy and technology development.

 In this keynote Gregory Brown from UPS breaks down:

  • Identifying the right technologies for the right problems
  • Creating transformational organizational change
  • Developing and refining the skills of your workforce

4:45pm - 5:00pm  Closing Comments and Prize Drawing

5:00pm - 6:30pm  Governing Body Reception

Governing Body Reception

Governing Body members host this reception for executives to close out the event with an evening of peer networking, food and drinks.

November 21, 2024

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming in-person gathering


Evanta cares about the health and safety of our community. Please review the following recommendations prior to attending the gathering.

Location


Venue & Accommodation

Westin Atlanta Perimeter North
MORE INFORMATION

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 770.395.3900. Please mention Evanta CDAO Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.

Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $199 USD (plus tax) is October 28, 2024.

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Key Partners

Community Program Manager


For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.

Lucy Putnam

Senior Program Manager - Territory Specialist

971-222-2398

lucy.putnam@gartner.com