CDO Magazine Podcast Series

Naresh Dulam, VP of Software Engineering at JPMorgan Chase & Co., breaks down the real challenges of AI readiness in regulated industries — and why the solution starts with data governance, not algorithms. Host Or Zabludowski, CEO of Flexor, guides the conversation as they explore: ✅The limits of centralizing data ✅Why data lineage is foundational for model explainability ✅The potential of...

In this episode, we dive deep with Benoit Lepetit, the Group Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Saint-Gobain, and Julian Schirmer, Co-Founder of OAO, to explore how data and AI are helping the company achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. From energy optimization in production to customer-focused AI innovations, learn how Saint-Gobain is rethinking its approach to sustainability. Tune in to hear h...

In this episode, we’re joined by Kalyani Sekar, Chief Data Officer at Verizon, for an in-depth look at how the telecom giant is evolving its data and AI foundation. Hosted by Yali Sassoon, CTO and Co-founder of Snowplow, this conversation covers: ✅Verizon’s journey to trusted, high-quality data ✅Why the company adopted a “shift-left” mindset for data quality ✅The internal AI Registry that gover...

Cindy (Xin) Tu, Director of IT and Data Audit at Discover Financial Services, joins EY’s Mudit Gupta to unpack the real-world shift from GenAI theory to adoption. In this episode: 🔹 Why AI-ready talent is rare — and how to build it 🔹 Training vs. recruiting: The two-pronged strategy 🔹 Governance that evolves with GenAI 🔹 Why deploying AI is how we learn to govern it A powerful listen for anyon...

Amin Venjara, Chief Data Officer at ADP, shares how he and his team are applying AI across the enterprise — from customer-facing products to internal operations — with a laser focus on outcomes and responsible innovation. From proactive assistants like ADP Assist to AI-enabled efficiencies in call centers and software testing, Venjara outlines what it takes to scale AI without compromising trust o...

Robin Sutara, Field Chief Data Strategy Officer at Databricks, joins Robert Lutton of Sandhill Consultants, to explore the next frontier of data democratization powered by natural language and embedded intelligence. Topics include: ✅The paradigm shift triggered by GenAI tools like ChatGPT ✅Making enterprise data accessible to non-technical users ✅The story of SEGA using Databricks to deliver pe...

In this final installment of our exclusive three-part series, Ido Biger, EVP & Chief Technology & Data Officer at Delek US Holdings, reflects on the defining leadership lessons from his time in aviation, telecom, and now oil and gas. Biger reveals why focusing on the core is the key to surviving disruption and thriving in recovery. Topics covered: 🟦Crisis lessons from the airline sector...

In this episode, Naresh Dulam, VP of Software Engineering at JPMorgan Chase, cuts through the AI hype with insights only a seasoned data leader can offer. This conversation with host Or Zabludowski, CEO of Flexor, dives into: ✅The "shiny object syndrome" plaguing AI adoption ✅Real-world lessons from failed churn models and bad data ✅How metadata and data freshness influence model outcomes ✅Str...

As McDonald’s tests AI-powered drive-thrus and intelligent kitchen assistants, data governance has taken center stage. In Part 2 of this interview, John Tucker, Director of Enterprise Data Governance at McDonald’s, unpacks: ✅How McDonald’s is embedding governance into AI and data product pipelines ✅The shift from compliance to innovation ✅Balancing risk, trust, and speed in enterprise AI rollou...

In this episode, Latha Subramanian, SVP & Head of Data Engineering and Analytics at GM Financial, joins Rohit Choudhary, CEO of Acceldata, to explore how GM Financial is navigating data modernization, regulatory complexity, and digital transformation. Topics Covered: 🔹Data as the “heart and soul” of auto financing 🔹Governance as a driver of efficiency and integrity 🔹Aligning business teams...

In this episode, Beth Falder, AVP of Data and Analytics at Nuvance Health, explores what it really takes to lead data in a healthcare organization undergoing change. She joins Michael Hejtmanek of Neudata to unpack: ✅How to balance expanded data sharing with ironclad privacy standards ✅Lessons from mergers — and how cloud and FHIR help unify systems ✅Why the best data leaders today are resilien...

In this episode, Justin Heller, SVP & Chief Data Officer at Synchrony Financial, speaks with Kasriel Kay of Velotix about what it truly means to lead with data in today's enterprise. You’ll hear: 🔷What defines the modern CDO role 🔷How to prioritize outcomes over tools 🔷The power of automation and AI in managing data at scale 🔷Why data democratization starts with governance and literacy 🔷H...

Balancing GenAI Innovation and Risk in Financial Services with Cindy Tu of Discover Financial What does it take to introduce GenAI into a highly regulated industry — without compromising trust or compliance? In this episode, Cindy (Xin) Tu, Director of IT and Data Audit at Discover Financial Services, joins Mudit Gupta of EY to discuss: ✅Navigating risk while innovating with GenAI ✅Why stakehold...

In this episode, Amin Venjara, Chief Data Officer at ADP, shares how one of the world’s largest HCM providers is rethinking the employee experience through the power of data. He talks with Brian Boxman of Incorta about: Creating a central data platform to unify disparate systems Tackling entity resolution to enable personalization at scale Using AI to make HR more efficient and more human How ADP...

What does it really take to activate AI at scale? Robin Sutara, Field Chief Data Strategy Officer at Databricks, joins Robert Lutton of Sandhill Consultants, to explain why unifying structured and unstructured data is key to accelerating AI and analytics outcomes. In this episode: 🔹Why governance must be integrated — not separate 🔹The impact of platform unification on cost, speed, and value 🔹Da...

In the rapidly evolving world of digital finance, trust is emerging as a new currency — and no one understands this better than Adam Ennamli, Chief Risk Officer at the General Bank of Canada (GBC). With a career that spans operations, technology, and strategy, Ennamli leads GBC’s integrated trust function, which includes risk management, compliance, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, Anti-Money Laun...

In this episode, Ido Biger, EVP & Chief Technology and Data Officer at Delek US, sits down with Fred Knops of Data Society to unpack how Delek drives digital transformation in the high-stakes world of energy. From using benchmarking heat maps to measuring success in business outcomes, Biger shares the frameworks and team-first mindset driving measurable change across Delek’s operations. This i...

What does it take to upskill thousands in the age of AI? In this episode, Maria Weicker, VP and Director of Learning and Development at Publicis Media, joins Robert Daniel from Data Society to unpack the company’s AI learning journey. Highlights include: 🔹How Publicis balances fundamentals with practical use 🔹The role of leadership programs in accelerating AI adoption 🔹Building bridges between...

When you think McDonald’s, you think Big Macs and fries — but behind the scenes, a massive data transformation is underway. Speaking with Acceldata’s Amy Kyleen Lute, John Tucker, Director of Enterprise Data Governance at McDonald's, shares how the company is leveraging data to reshape customer experiences, build loyalty, and fuel global growth. Learn how McDonald’s is building a global Center of...

Beth Falder, AVP of Data & Analytics at Nuvance Health, joins Michael Hejtmanek of Neudata to discuss how a unified cloud infrastructure and smarter data practices are reshaping patient care. Key insights include: ✅Managing healthcare data ✅Building AI capabilities with both vendor partnerships and internal solutions ✅Driving performance with strategic KPIs and a data product mindset ✅Leve...

Cindy (Xin) Tu, Director of IT and Data Audit at Discover Financial Services, sits down with Mudit Gupta, Partner, FS Consulting AI Practice Leader at EY, to explore the maturing AI governance landscape in finance. From establishing robust data governance foundations to segmenting GenAI use cases and addressing data privacy risks, Tu shares a grounded perspective on innovation in a heavily regulat...

Dye & Durham is making a bold bet on analytics — and Murat Beshtoev is leading the charge. As Director of Global Analytics, he joined the company with a blank slate and a mandate to deliver fast, meaningful impact. In this conversation with Jack Berkowitz, Chief Data Officer at Securiti, Beshtoev shares: 🔹How GenAI and agentic AI are reshaping analytics delivery 🔹What it takes to drive resul...

In this first episode of a three-part series, Ido Biger, EVP, CIO & CDO at Delek US Holdings, talks with Fred Knops of Data Society about redefining transformation in one of the most asset-heavy industries in the world. Drawing from his experience across aviation, finance, and telecom, Biger explains why understanding operations from the ground up is key — and how combining the CIO and CDO rol...

Inside AdventHealth’s Learning Transformation for 100,000+ Team Members AdventHealth is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S., but its innovation extends far beyond clinical care. In this episode, Marquita Williams, Executive Director of Organizational Learning & Development, sits down with Robert Daniel of Data Society to share how her team is reimagining learning across a 1...

In this episode, David Mayer, Global Director of Data, Analytics & Quality at Hyatt, joins ThoughtSpot’s Cindi Howson to unpack how Hyatt is turning data into better service — across 1,400+ hotels worldwide. From real-time sentiment analysis to natural language dashboards for hotel GMs, Mayer discusses: ✅How data informs personalization from booking to checkout ✅The rise of automation and AI...