The Data & AI Chief

ThoughtSpot

Meet the world’s top data and AI leaders transforming how we do business. Hear case studies, industry insights, and personal lessons from the executives leading the data and AI revolution.

Join host Cindi Howson, Chief Data & AI Strategy Officer at ThoughtSpot, every other Wednesday to meet the leaders and teams at the cutting edge.

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142 episodes
Updated July 22

Episodes142

Newest first

Dec 2, 2020 · 53 min
Nationwide's Jim Tyo on Data Governance Best Practices
Today's guest is Jim Tyo, CDO at investment management firm Invesco. On this episode, Jim and Cindi discuss best practices and the evolution of data governance and information quality over the past decade, taking the 'digital twin' approach from the world of manufacturing and applying it to the world of data, and the ethical nuances of navigating privacy laws and nontraditional inputs for complete datasets without introducing undue biases. Plus, Cindi and Jim share their best advice for people a
Nov 11, 2020 · 57 min
Federal Government's Suzette Kent on Federal Data Strategy and IT Modernization
Joining Cindi today is Suzette Kent, the former US Federal Chief Information Officer. Suzette and Cindi discuss the creative friction between the public and private sector, the pros and cons of how the public and private sectors operate and what they can gain by collaborating with one another, and the challenges of avoiding minutiae and focusing on the big picture when working with massive datasets. Plus, Suzette shares the origin story of the federal data strategy and how she hopes it can be
Oct 28, 2020 · 51 min
Ensemble Health Partners' Jon Osborn and Snowflake's Todd Crosslin on Cloud Innovation in Healthcare
Joining Cindi today are two guests: Jon Osborn, Software Technology Executive and former SVP, Chief Technical and Data Officer at Ensemble Health Partners, and Todd Crosslin, the Global Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences at Snowflake. On this episode, Jon, Todd, and Cindi discuss how people in the healthcare chain of command can collaborate with one another more freely than ever before thanks to cloud innovations that make sensitive data safely and instantly available to all parties, why the
Oct 14, 2020 · 59 min
Medibanks' Craig Rowlands on Saving Lives with Data Literacy
Today's guest is Craig Rowlands, the General Manager of Medibank. Craig is an ambitious leader with a proven track record for delivering major projects including data management, production, and business intelligence solutions. On this episode, Craig and Cindi discuss the life- and cost-saving benefits of leveraging data to improve decision making in healthcare, how moving from financial services to healthcare has given Craig a more holistic view of what's possible with data, why an individual s
Sep 30, 2020 · 57 min
Bernard Marr on A.I. Strategy and Change Management
Joining Cindi today is Bernard Marr, internationally bestselling author, futurist, and keynote speaker. He advises and coaches many of the world’s best-known organizations and was voted by LinkedIn as one of the top five business influencers in the world and the number-one influencer in the UK. On this episode, Bernard and Cindi discuss why businesses should treat AI as a focused strategy rather than a resource-draining experiment, five ways to determine how to implement AI as a strategy that ad
Sep 16, 2020 · 53 min
Vertafore's Chad Hawkinson on Cloud Data Security and Streamlining Workflows
Joining Cindi today is Chad Hawkinson, the Chief Product and Data Officer at Vertafore, the leader in creating modern insurance technology. A seasoned data and analytics guru, Chad has seen first-hand the profound impact data-driven insights can have on customers’ success. On this episode, Chad and Cindi discuss how the cloud makes it safer to use sensitive data, when it was long-feared it might do just the opposite. They cover everything from alleviating client concerns about the use of this d
Sep 4, 2020 · 27 min
San Francisco County's Jason Lally on Clarity and Better Serving People with Data (pt. 1)
This is Part 2 of our interview with Jason Lally, the Chief Data Officer for the City and County of San Francisco. [Listen to Part 1 here.] In Part 1, Cindi and Jason talked about the kindness of data clarity and the power of a declarative mission statement. In this episode, Jason discusses making the government's data work for the people it serves, the key gateway to better communication, and how to turn problems into opportunities. Key Takeaways: Improving communication. Part of becoming a be
Sep 2, 2020 · 23 min
San Francisco County's Jason Lally on Clarity and Better Serving People with Data (pt. 1)
Joining Cindi today is Jason Lally, the Chief Data Officer for the City and County of San Francisco. On this episode, Jason and Cindi discuss the kindness of data clarity, why open data is just the tip of the iceberg, and the power of a declarative mission statement. Plus, they dive into Jason’s 10+ years of experience and unique career trajectory that brought him to his current role. This is Part 1 of our interview with Jason Lally. Stay tuned for Part 2 (releasing on Friday) where Jason discu
Aug 19, 2020 · 28 min
Alight Analytics' Michelle Jacobs on Data-Driven Marketing and Respecting Customer Privacy (pt. 2)
This is Part 2 of Cindi's interview with Michelle Jacobs, President and co-founder of marketing measurement agency Alight Analytics. In Part 1, Michelle shared tips for keeping up with the rapid pace of change in the industry and explained in what ways data can transform marketing departments for the better. In this episode, Michelle and Cindi discuss how to bring more women into analytics, why messy data tends to be directionally accurate, and what Michelle predicts for the future of analytics.
Aug 19, 2020 · 25 min
Alight Analytics' Michelle Jacobs on Data-Driven Marketing and Respecting Customer Privacy (pt. 1)
This is Part 1 of Cindi's interview with Michelle Jacobs, President and co-founder of marketing measurement agency Alight Analytics. On this episode, Michelle and Cindi discuss how data can turn marketing from a regretful expense to a worthwhile investment, the benefits of learning to ask the right questions of your data, and how to determine a customer's wants and needs without invading their privacy. Plus, they talk about how to flip the 80 percent of the time we spend preparing data with the
Aug 5, 2020 · 23 min
Just Eat's Alberto Rey Villaverde on Machine Learning, A.I., and Bridging the Imagination Gap (pt. 2)
This is Part 2 of Cindi's interview with Alberto Rey Villaverde, the Chief Data Officer at British online food order and delivery service Just Eat. Listen to Part 1 of their interview here. On this episode, Alberto and Cindi discuss how machine learning allows data to speak for itself, why artificial intelligence is more effective when it's led with the guiding hand of a human than without, three components crucial to the success of data products and services, adjusting business practices and ex
Aug 5, 2020 · 30 min
Just Eat's Alberto Rey Villaverde on Machine Learning, A.I., and Bridging the Imagination Gap (pt. 1)
This is Part 1 of Cindi's interview with Alberto Rey Villaverde, the Chief Data Officer at British online food order and delivery service Just Eat. On this episode, Alberto and Cindi discuss how machine learning allows data to speak for itself, why artificial intelligence is more effective when it's led with the guiding hand of a human than without, three components crucial to the success of data products and services, adjusting business practices and expectations during pandemics and economic d
Jul 22, 2020 · 50 min
Moffitt Cancer Center's Dr. Dana Rollison on Accelerating Scientific Discovery with Data
Joining Cindi today is Dr. Dana Rollison, Vice President, Chief Data Officer, and Associate Center Director of Data Science at Moffitt Cancer Center. Dana has been with Moffitt for over 16 years in varying capacities since earning her PhD in Epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University in 2004. In this episode, she and Cindi discuss her work at Moffitt, how data is accelerating scientific discovery, and what leveraging data from the lab to the clinic looks like in practice. Key Discussion Points:
Jul 8, 2020 · 34 min
The Hartford's Sully McConnell on Data Infrastructure Innovation
Sully McConnell serves as the Chief Data Officer of The Hartford, where he has been since 2018. In this episode, Sully discusses the challenges he faced as a new data chief trying to innovate the infrastructure of an established company. He shares what worked, what hasn’t, and how he’s helped shift the team’s mindset so they can all make the changes needed to modernize the company. Key Discussion Points: How an established company stays modern. The challenges a 21st-century data chief faces whe
Jul 1, 2020 · 53 min
Wunderman Thompson Data's Jacques van Niekerk on Culture, Innovation, and Diversity
Joining Cindi today is Jacques van Niekerk, the Global CEO of Wunderman Thompson Data. On this episode, Jacques and Cindi discuss why data is not the new oil, as many in the industry have proclaimed, but instead should be thought of as ‘the new oxygen’ for businesses. They also explore what it means to focus on your customers' terms over your own, how fostering a culture of curiosity inspires innovation and keeps you ahead of competition, and how encouraging diversity of thought within your orga
Jun 24, 2020 · 41 min
14 West's Grace Epperson on using data to improve customer experience
On this episode of The Data Chief, Cindi is joined by Grace Epperson, the Chief Analytics Officer at 14 West, an Agora Company. They discuss what Grace's learned in that role, and how her and her team’s mindsets have evolved over the years. Grace also shares her take on why a liberal arts education is valuable in technology industries, plus how data can help marketers create personalized and impactful customer experiences. Key Takeaways: Include your customers in the design process. Changing th
Jun 10, 2020 · 56 min
Schneider Electric's Gustavo Canton on optimizing human potential with AI and automation
Joining Cindi today is Gustavo Canton, VP of People Analytics at Schneider Electric. Gustavo has been with Schneider Electric for nearly three years, where he’s been a change agent driving innovation across Schneider’s growing data initiatives. In today's episode, Cindi and Gustavo discuss using automation to augment (not replace) humans, rebranding HR, scaling pandemic adaptation, the impact of staff well-being on performance, intuiting what customers really need, and team-building. Key Takeawa
May 27, 2020 · 32 min
Avnet's Max Chan on digital transformation and IT innovation
Today’s guest is Max Chan. Max is the CIO of Avnet where he is responsible for the delivery of all strategic business IT and digital transformation initiatives. Max sits down with Cindi to discuss Avnet’s long history, digital transformation and innovation in IT, and why the companies that leverage data to find valuable insights are miles ahead of the pack. Plus, Max shares some of the strategies he’s used to keep his team sharp in today’s fast-paced technology landscape. Key Discussion Points:
May 13, 2020 · 46 min
PwC's Scott Peck on data storytelling and creating a culture of leadership
Joining Cindi today is Scott Peck, the Senior Director of the Data & Analytics Center of Excellence at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he’s worked for the past 13 years. In that time, he’s played a vital role in revolutionizing reporting systems, as well as helped revolutionize the role of the data analyst. In today’s episode, Cindi and Scott discuss what it means to be an ‘Analyst of the Future’, their thoughts on leadership, and why data storytelling is a must-have skill. Key Takeaways: A
Apr 29, 2020 · 44 min
VMWare's Stephen Harris on navigating imperfect data
Today’s guest is Stephen Harris, the CDO of VMware. Stephen has more than 20 years in the data, analytics, and professional services fields. He and Cindi discuss growth, diversity in tech, being a change agent within your organization, bias in AI, data for good, the talent gap, data fluency, and more! Key Takeaways: The importance of understanding the role of data and its potential impact when there is an absence of fact or misinterpretation of data. How Stephen and his team at VMware are using