CDO Magazine Podcast Series

In this episode, Alex Hesterberg, CEO of Superna, chats with Mark Johnson of CoStrategix about a bold new direction in cybersecurity, one that’s proactive, AI-driven, and seamlessly integrated. Hear how Superna: 🔹Uses AI to detect long-term, stealthy cyber threats 🔹Prioritizes patching based on actual data risk 🔹Enhances existing tools like SIEM and SOAR without adding overhead 🔹Automates inci...

Walker & Dunlop is a longstanding leader in commercial real estate finance — but it’s also undergoing a powerful data transformation. In this episode, Dan Cromer, SVP of Product – Data, talks with Securiti CDO Jack Berkowitz about: ✅Moving from siloed systems to connected insights ✅Why data is the universal input behind every tech innovation ✅How to balance exploration of AI and emerging te...

In this episode, Zakir Hussain, Americas Data Leader at EY, shares how one of the world’s largest professional services firms is embedding data governance into business strategy while fostering a culture of AI fluency from the top down. Hosted by Camille Prado, Global Editor at CDO Magazine, this conversation covers: 🔹Success metrics for data governance 🔹Tools and models to drive accountability...

What does it really take to lead through change in the AI era? In this episode, Nan Li — AI leader and former Nationwide VP of AI/ML — speaks with Derek Strauss, Founder of Gavroshe, about how organizations can go beyond AI adoption and build human-centric, strategy-aligned execution models. Li unpacks: 🔹Why it's essential to revisit business fundamentals 🔹How to align AI with corporate goals an...

Alex Hesterberg, CEO of Superna, joins Mark Johnson, CGO at CoStrategix, for a must-hear discussion on how organizations can stay ahead of AI-related threats by securing their most overlooked asset: storage. Topics include: ✅ The double-edged nature of AI and ML ✅ Why compromised data is a ticking time bomb for AI training cycles ✅ The compliance demands of regulations like the EU AI Act ✅ The...

In this episode, we spotlight Sanofi’s ambitious AI transformation with Dimitrije Jankovic, Global VP and Head of Data and AI Strategy. He joins Jack Berkowitz, Chief Data Officer at Securiti, to explore: ✅ The use of Expert AI, Snackable AI, and GenAI across the pharma value chain ✅ How Sanofi is reducing drug development timelines significantly ✅ Reimagining document-heavy workflows across gl...

What does it really mean to modernize state government through data? In this episode, we’re joined by Natalie Evans Harris, State Chief Data Officer of Maryland, and Leigh Sheldon, Partner at Guidehouse, to unpack Maryland’s holistic approach to data strategy. Harris outlines how the state is striking a balance between emerging technology and legacy systems — and why true transformation starts wit...

Knowledge management is about connecting people — to people, to process, and to technology. In this episode, Christina Sandema-Sombe, Co-founder and Chief Data Analytics and AI Officer at Datum Cafe, joins Peter Geovanes for an eye-opening conversation on the foundational elements of sustainable data transformation. Tune in as they explore: ✅ Why short-term use-case-based data strategies often fa...

Restoring Joy in Healthcare: Dr. Dominik Nowak on AI’s Role in Reducing Burden and Enhancing Care In this episode, Dr. Dominik Nowak, President of the Ontario Medical Association, speaks with Ben Blanquera of FAIR/Rackspace Technology about the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. Listen in as they explore: 🟦The accelerating adoption of AI Scribe and auto-referral tools 🟦Reducing docume...

AI at Domino’s: From Data to Delicious — Stefania Gvillo on Driving Strategic Impact In this episode, Stefania Gvillo, SVP, Chief Analytics and Insights Officer at Domino’s, sits down with EY’s Tom Edwards for part two of a revealing conversation about how Domino’s is leveraging AI and data to stay on top in the fast-moving QSR industry. Stefania shares🎙️ 🍕 Why Domino’s puts impact before hype 🧠...

Aligning Data Strategies with Business Objectives: Zakir Hussain, EY Americas Data Leader In this insightful episode, EY’s Zakir Hussain joins Camille Prado of CDO Magazine to discuss how data leaders can maximize ROI in the GenAI era by aligning their data strategies with core business goals. Topics covered: ✔️The importance of business alignment in data initiatives ✔️How to avoid siloed executio...

Cyberstorage Is Here: Superna’s CEO on Integrating Storage and Security Operations Superna CEO Alex Hesterberg joins Mark Johnson to explore: ✅The real security blindspot in most organizations ✅Why backup is NOT enough anymore ✅How Superna is building a bridge between storage & security From hybrid cloud to cyberstorage, this episode is packed with insights for today's data leaders. 🎙️ Tune...

Rebuilding Data at Accor: A CDO’s Take on CDPs, GenAI, and Business Alignment In this episode, Jean-François Guilmard, Chief Data Officer at Accor, unpacks the bold decisions behind the hospitality group’s data strategy—including why they walked away from a traditional customer data platform and embraced a composable model. The conversation with OAO’s Julian Schirmer explores: ✅ The ROI and reali...

In this episode, Prasannal Nithyanandam, Head of Data and Advanced Analytics at Volkswagen Financial Services, joins Jack Berkowitz, Chief Data Officer at Securiti, for a compelling conversation on operationalizing AI governance in a global enterprise. They explore: ✅Laying the foundation with AI policy and cross-functional collaboration ✅Enabling productivity with tools like Microsoft Copilo t—...

Human-Centric AI: A Framework for Business-Driven Strategy with Nan Li What does a human-centric AI strategy actually look like? In this episode, Nan Li, former Nationwide VP of AI/ML and Statistical Practice, joins Gavroshe Founder Derek Strauss to break it down. She introduces a practical, business-first framework centered on five key question words — why, who, what, how, and so what — and expla...

Driving Maryland’s Data Modernization with CDO Natalie Evans Harris What does it take to build a data-driven state government? Natalie Evans Harris, State CDO of Maryland, joins Leigh Sheldon, Partner, CEI Data & Analytics Lead, Guidehouse, to discuss her journey in leading Maryland’s data transformation. Key takeaways: 🔹 The top three priorities for modernizing data across Maryland 🔹 How th...

Data leaders are stretched thin, balancing cost efficiency, innovation, and ROI expectations. In this episode, Anu Oladele, Chief Data Officer, and Daniel Zhang, CEO of AfterData.ai , join Robert Lutton of Sandhill Consultants to discuss how data leaders can overcome key obstacles. They break down the 4 essential metrics — Cost, Volume, Quality, and Usage — that anchor a data-driven strategy and s...

AI, Data Governance & the Future of Finance: BNY’s Approach | Eric Hirschhorn How is one of the world’s largest investment firms leveraging AI to revolutionize financial services? In this episode, Eric Hirschhorn, CDO at BNY, explores: ✅ How AI is transforming governance & compliance ✅ The power of large language models (LLMs) in finance ✅ Why AI literacy is critical for responsible ado...

🎙️Data is only as effective as the partnerships behind it. Christina Sandema-Sombe, Co-Founder & Chief Data Analytics and AI Officer at Datum Cafe, shares her incredible journey in data — from manually mailing Excel sheets at CARE International to leading global data strategies at Nike. In this episode, she unpacks: ✔️ Why breaking data silos requires collaboration, not just tools ✔️ The role...

AI in Construction: Insights from Baker Construction’s Jennifer Hohman How is AI revolutionizing one of the most complex, high-risk industries? Jennifer Hohman, Chief Information & Technology Officer at Baker Construction, joins us to discuss: ✅ AI-powered forecasting & project efficiency ✅ Data-driven decision-making in construction ✅ Overcoming tech adoption challenges in the field Ho...

In this episode, Jacob Lorz, VP of IT & CISO at Cintas, joins Todd Foley, CDO & CISO at Lydonia, to break down the future of cybersecurity. From zero-trust strategies to automation and risk assessments, Lorz shares practical insights on securing organizations in an ever-changing threat landscape. He also debunks common cybersecurity misconceptions and highlights why security is everyone’s...

In this episode, Kyle Pudenz, SVP of Enterprise Analytics at Cencora, sits down with David Zhao, Managing Director at Coda Strategy, to explore: ✅ Designing data architecture to tackle integration challenges ✅ Balancing data security with business value ✅ Unlocking efficiency & decision-making with GenAI ✅ The power of knowledge graphs & graph analytics ✅ How a 5-year data roadmap fue...

🎙 The Future of Learning at Johnson & Johnson: AI, Upskilling & Workforce Transformation How is J&J ensuring its 150,000 employees stay ahead in a rapidly evolving world? Sandra Humbles, Chief Learning Officer at Johnson & Johnson, reveals how AI is unlocking new opportunities for career growth, skills development, and learning at scale. 📌 What you’ll learn: ✅ How J&J is leve...

How is AI revolutionizing the food industry? 🍕 At Domino’s, AI isn’t just about automation — it’s a strategic driver for business success. In this episode, Stefania Gvillo, SVP, Chief Analytics & Insights Officer, joins EY’s Tom Edwards to explore: ✅ How AI is driving smarter decision-making at Domino’s ✅ Why upskilling employees in AI is critical for future success ✅ Lessons from Gvillo’s...

Accor operates over 5,800 hotels worldwide, giving it unique access to guest data beyond just bookings. But managing this data effectively requires a strong data governance framework. In this episode, Jean-François Guilmard, Chief Data Officer at Accor, breaks down: ✅How Accor is structuring its data strategy with data mesh principles ✅The role of data governance in ensuring data quality and acc...