Minneapolis CDAO Executive Summit

CDAOs serve as key catalysts for transformation, driving organizations toward a strong data-driven culture. They navigate challenges with innovation, converting obstacles into opportunities, overcoming resistance to foster engagement and integrating fragmented data into cohesive insights. By leveraging data-driven strategies, CDAOs implement advanced analytics and governance, ensuring that data isn't just collected, but is also effectively utilized to drive decisions.

Join Menaka Nagarajan as she shares how to:

• Champion change to innovate and improve strategies
• Implement advanced analytics and effective data governance swiftly
• Cultivate a culture of continuous learning and adaptability

CDAOs play a pivotal role in expanding digital fluency programs to include data literacy, AI literacy and the cultural mindset shifts needed to thrive in a digital-first world. Industry standouts are coming together to share how they're inspiring culture-based approaches to empowering the workforce.

Join in the interactive discussion to explore:

• Setting effective data literacy guardrails to ensure data governance
• Inspiring an impactful shift in embracing data culture
• Elevating data literacy approaches to propel innovation

Master data management is necessary not only for organizational success but also for agility in times of uncertainty and ambiguity. A successful MDM program hinges on data quality, the organization viewing data as an asset and leaders ensuring the workforce has the skills needed to maintain and build on core competencies of the program.

Join this session to discuss:

• Assessing your MDM program's current level of maturity
• Identifying the skills needed to maintain MDM
• Creating metrics to track quality and success of your program

Measuring data and analytics initiatives is critical for data and analytics leaders to understand the effectiveness and impact of their strategies, as well as earn trust with leadership and peers. By setting clear metrics, KPIs and mechanisms organizations can track the progress of their initiatives and identify areas for improvement.

Join this session to discuss how to:

• Communicate the value of ROI of initiatives to stakeholders effectively
• Use real-world examples to illustrate impact
• Discover new opportunities to stay ahead of shifting market demands 

Operational data management plays a critical role in building digital resilience. Discover how leading organizations leverage advanced capabilities — including real-time data filtering, enrichment, federation and AI-driven analytics — to break down silos and proactively address emerging threats and operational disruptions.

Join this boardroom to explore practical strategies to:

• Optimize costs
• Enhance regulatory compliance
• Improve visibility and responsiveness across diverse teams

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

In today’s business landscape, data and security are both crucial for success, yet they are often seen as competing priorities. By fostering collaboration between AI, analytics and security teams, companies can leverage data effectively while maintaining strong protection, ensuring that growth and security go hand in hand.

Join us to learn about:

• Collaborating across data, security and business teams for success
• Driving innovation without data exposure
• Leading secure data-driven transformation efforts

In the digital economy, CDAOs face the critical task of ensuring data's trust and reliability, essential for informed decision making and strategic advantage. CDAOs are challenged with implementing rigorous governance, adopting advanced technology for data quality and cultivating a data-literate culture. Aligning data strategies with business objectives not only ensures compliance, but also positions data as a pivotal force for competitive differentiation.

Join this session to discuss:

• Establishing robust governance for data trust-building
• Adopting technology to ensure data quality
• Fostering organizational culture for data literacy

Gartner predicts that through 2025, at least 30% of GenAI proof of concept projects will be abandoned due to poor data quality, inadequate risk controls, escalating costs or unclear business value. So how can CDAOs and heads of data succeed in scaling GenAI initiatives to maximize benefits for the long term?

Join this session to discuss:

• Sharing GenAI projects and considerations
• Connecting GenAI investment to business value
• Collaborating with the c-suite on a long-term GenAI strategy

Data democratization enables employees at all levels of an organization to make data-driven decisions that improve business outcomes. However, achieving this goal requires overcoming technical debt, legacy technology and employee adoption challenges. By prioritizing execution and investing in talent development and new technologies, organizations can build a data-driven culture that drives growth and innovation.

Join this roundtable discussion as CDAOs discuss:

• Overcoming persistent data democratization challenges
• Building a data-driven culture for better ownership and outcomes
• Developing talent and investing in tech for unlocking business potential

Speakers want action, not just applause. But busy executives don’t have time to learn complex communication models or esoteric storytelling processes — they need a simple, effective speaking framework that can help them not only connect with any audience, but also elicit real change. Enter the "Swarm Effect."

Join this session with Arthur Zards — a thought leader, TEDster and provocateur — to:

• Hone your skills in executive influence
• Adopt a more authentic and engaging approach to speaking
• Take your next presentation from “understandable” to “compelling"

Finish the day sharing lessons learned with your peers over light fare and drinks at this closing reception hosted by your governing body members.