What C-Level Executives Were Reading in 2024

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, maintaining a competitive edge requires more than just keeping pace – it demands proactive leadership and informed decision-making. To stay ahead of the curve, over 14,300 C-level executives from leading organizations participate in Evanta’s CIO, CISO, CHRO, CDAO and CFO communities. These expansive networks enable leaders to connect, exchange innovative strategies and share the latest insights. 

Throughout 2024, these executives participated in over 400 in-person and virtual gatherings and contributed their expertise to a wealth of community-led content on Evanta.com. Here, we are exploring the trending topics and most-read articles of the year, offering a comprehensive look at the issues that resonated most with executives in 2024. 

Trending Topics for C-level Executives

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI
2024 marked a pivotal year for AI, building on the momentum from the release of ChatGPT in 2023 and the rapid adoption of AI solutions. Organizations are increasingly seeking to harness this transformative technology while carefully managing associated risks. For the first time, our annual Leadership Perspective Survey revealed that nearly every C-level role identified AI as a top priority or investment area, with a strong emphasis on AI-readiness.

As organizations advance in their AI journeys, we conducted a follow-up survey to our 2023 generative AI study, focusing on AI adoption. This survey aimed to provide our members with insights into how their peers are implementing AI. More than 1,300 C-level executives participated, sharing their progress, challenges, and future outlook. The results were among our most popular content of the year. You can explore the detailed infographics here: C-suite, CIO, CISO, CHRO, CDAO. 

Change Management
Ongoing economic, socio-political, and technological disruptions, including the rise of AI, are prompting organizations to navigate multiple, simultaneous change initiatives. Our C-level community members are at the forefront of guiding their organizations through these changes, frequently requesting that change management be a focal point on our community event agendas.

To better understand the current state of change management within organizations, we surveyed over 800 C-level executives about their roles, capabilities, and investments in this area. The survey results proved to be some of our most impactful content of the year. One CDAO member even shared how they significantly improved their change management strategy after evaluating these insights. View the infographics to see the survey results: C-suite, CIO, CISO, CHRO, CDAO, CFO.

Most-Read Member Features:

Evanta’s By C-levels, For C-levels™ model is evident in our member-featured articles. Through executive interviews and member-contributed blogs, Evanta members share actionable insights with their peers. Here are the top three member-driven articles of 2024.

Executive Blog: The Two Fundamental Building Blocks to Data Driven Business Value
Dr. Ansar Kassim, Head of Analytics & Insights at Verizon and a member of the New York CDAO Community, shares his insights on the two essential pillars for driving business value from data. In addition, he outlines steps data and analytics leaders can take to empower both the business with data and data teams with business knowledge.

Peer Practices: 6 Influential CIOs Offer Their Advice on ESG Initiatives
With 86% of business leaders viewing sustainability as an investment that protects their organization from disruption, six CIO community members share their approaches to ESG and sustainability, as well as how to contribute to the enterprises’ sustainability goals.

Leadership Profile: Leading Change: A CHRO's Path to Disruptive Leadership
Trisha Conley, Executive Vice President, People and Culture (CHRO) at LyondellBasell is renowned as a disruptor. Read how she earned her seat at the table, leads HR transformation at LyondellBasell, and her thoughts on AI in HR.

Most-Read Community Blogs:

Evanta’s Community Blog features insights from proprietary surveys, community events and Evanta thought leaders. Here are the top three most-read blogs of 2024:

1. 10 Leadership Principles from Women in the C-Suite - As there is a significant gender gap in C-level positions, this blog highlights the voices of influential women in business who are Evanta community members. Here, they are sharing their guiding leadership principles.
2. Top 3 Areas of Focus for CHROs in 2024 - At the start of 2024, we explored three themes for CHROs to prioritize throughout the year: developing next-generation leaders, reshaping corporate culture for a hybrid environment, and investing in HR technology to drive business growth.
3. 8 Trends for CISOs in 2024 - Based on more than 1,000 responses to Evanta’s annual CISO Leadership Perspective Survey, which captures mission critical priorities, challenges and investment areas, we explore the top trends for CISOs in 2024.

Reflecting on 2024, it's evident that C-level executives are prioritizing artificial intelligence, change management, and transformative leadership to navigate the evolving business landscape. The most-read articles on Evanta.com highlight a commitment to embracing technology and fostering innovation. As we look ahead, leveraging peer-driven insights and community collaboration will be crucial for leaders aiming to drive success and resilience in their organizations.

Join your local Evanta community to connect with an exclusive network of C-level peers and gain actionable insights to achieve your goals in 2025. If you are already a member, visit MyEvanta to explore upcoming in-person and virtual opportunities within your community.