Top 10: Chief Data & Analytics Officers

In today’s world, the role of data is firmly on the agenda for all organisations.

According to research by Deloitte, 61% of data leaders say creating, updating or implementing a data strategy is one of their top three priorities for the next 12 months. The company’s most recent Chief Data Officer survey also highlights that leading data executives will play an increasingly-prominent role in their organisations, by taking the lead, catalysing, or supporting data initiatives.

According to Gartner, an organisation’s Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO) has the primary enterprise accountability for value creation using the organisation’s data and analytics assets, as well as the data and analytics ecosystem.

CDAOs play a crucial role in modern organisations, particularly those heavily reliant on data-driven decision-making, with some key responsibilities including:

• Data Strategy Development: The CDAO is responsible for developing and implementing the organisation's overall data strategy. This involves identifying data sources, defining data governance policies, and determining how data will be collected, stored, analysed, and utilised to drive business objectives.
• Data Management and Governance: Ensuring the quality, security, and integrity of data assets is a core responsibility of the CDAO. They oversee the establishment and enforcement of data governance frameworks, data quality standards, and data management practices to ensure that data is accurate, consistent, and compliant with relevant regulations.
• Analytics and Insights: Leveraging advanced analytics techniques, such as predictive modelling, machine learning, and data mining, the CDAO extracts actionable insights from data to support strategic decision-making across the organisation. This involves collaborating with business units to understand their needs and designing analytical solutions to address specific challenges or opportunities.

Here, Technology Magazine highlights 10 of the most prominent data leaders.

10: Andy Markus, Chief Data Officer, AT&T

With a passion for enterprise data, analytics and AI functions, Andy Markus is Chief Data Officer at AT&T, one of the world’s largest telecom companies, and is a driver of data democratisation along with responsible and ethical stewardship of consumer data. 

Markus is a seasoned executive in the field of data and analytics, renowned for delivering innovative, value-driven, and privacy-conscious solutions to complex data challenges. Before his role at AT&T, Markus served as the Senior Vice President for Data Management and Consumer Analytics at WarnerMedia, where he contributed significantly to the organisation's success.

9: David Salvagnini, Chief Data Officer, NASA

Having served as the Chief Data Officer at NASA since June 2023, David Salvagnini’s experience includes all aspects of enterprise IT service delivery, including research, engineering, testing, security and operations. 

Salvagnini formerly served as the Director of the Intelligence Community Chief Information Officer (IC CIO) Architecture and Integration Group (AIG) and Chief Architect. 

Before joining the IC CIO, Salvagnini held a variety of positions at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), including Chief Data Officer, and Deputy Chief of the Enterprise Cyber and Infrastructure Services Division.

8: Eileen Vidrine, Chief Data Officer, US Department of the Air Force

As the Department of the Air Force Chief Data and AI Officer, Eileen M. Vidrine is responsible for crafting and executing strategies on enterprise data management, analytics, digital transformation and the ethical implementation of AI. Her aim is to enhance performance and foster innovation across all missions and operations.

Vidrine began her government career in 1986 as an enlisted member of the US Army and was commissioned in 1987 through the US Army Officer Candidate School Programme. Across her career Vidrine has assumed diverse leadership roles, including within the US Department of Defense.

7: Maria Macuare, Global Chief Data Officer, Mondelēz International

As Global Chief Data Officer at Mondelēz International, Maria Macuare has extensive experience working in the fastest developing markets in the world. Her expertise has earned her the reputation of a trusted advisor to company executives, guiding them towards unbiased, expedited, and enhanced data-driven decision-making processes.

With over two decades of industry experience, Macuare is committed to propelling business value at Mondelēz International, aiming to transition the organisation into a data-centric enterprise. Her illustrious career includes significant data leadership roles at Campbell Soup Company and Procter and Gamble.

6: Jim Oliver, VP Chief Analytics Officer, eBay

Jim Oliver joined eBay in early 2021, after six years at his previous job, Sam’s Club. Initially recruited in 2014 to establish the analytics team, Oliver played a pivotal role in delivering analytics, reporting, insights, and experimental strategies across various domains including website management, marketing, membership services, and merchandising. 

Oliver is a seasoned executive known for leveraging data and analytics to drive business expansion, enhance customer satisfaction and develop innovative data-driven tools and products.

5: Garvit Gupta, Global Chief Data Officer, Capgemini

Garvit Gupta has been instrumental in shaping and executing the enterprise and client data strategy for Capgemini, alongside spearheading business strategies encompassing data management, analytics, data-driven business transformation, data governance, data lakes, data protection and sustainability initiatives.

With over two decades of experience, Gupta is a distinguished leader in her field, renowned for her ability to convert data into a valuable corporate asset across diverse business sectors.

Prior to her role at Capgemini, Gupta has held leading data-led roles at Cognizant, Accenture and IBM Global Services.

4: Marco Vernocchi, Global Chief Data Officer, EY

Marco Vernocchi is a leader at the forefront of revolutionising data collection, curation, and utilisation, placing trusted, intelligent data at the core of the company's operations and striving to enhance value for clients.

Before joining EY, Vernocchi held prominent global and regional leadership roles in digital and analytics. With nearly three decades of experience, he has collaborated with technology behemoths, media giants and start-ups, aiding companies in leveraging data, analytics and AI to reimagine their operations, customer engagement, and overall business performance.

In his role today, Vernocchi is leading EY’s transformation into a data-powered organisation that, in turn, is helping clients navigate their transformation into intelligent enterprises.

3: Loretta Franks, VP, Global Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Kellanova

Since joining Kellogg Company in 2007 as a financial analyst, Loretta Franks has held several roles from finance to project management and now data and analytics.

Now serving as Global Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Franks leads a talented team, driving transformative value for the Kellanova organisation, following the completion in 2023 of the separation of the company’s North American cereal business, WK Kellogg Co, resulting in two independent, public companies.

2: Vipin Gopal, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance

Vipin Gopal boasts extensive leadership expertise as a C-level executive in data, digital, and analytics, accumulating over two decades of experience across various Fortune 100 enterprises, spanning sectors from health insurance and pharmaceuticals to industrial conglomerates.

Acknowledged as a thought leader, Gopal is frequently cited in esteemed publications including Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, Scientific American, and Forbes, solidifying his status as a prominent figure within the Chief Data and Analytics Officer community.

Gopal joined Walgreen Boots Alliance in 2023, joining from Fortune 150 company Eli Lilly and Company where he served as its SVP and Chief Data and Analytics Officer.

1: Andrew Hill, Chief Data Officer, Unilever

Joining Unilever in 2017 as VP for Information Analytics, Andrew Hill is the company’s Chief Data Officer, where he is responsible for the global data, information and advanced analytics agenda across the business.

As part of his role Hill helps Unilever – one of the largest consumer products companies in the world – harness the power of data through all aspects of its operations, enhancing customer experience and making itself more efficient.

In his time at Univer Hill also spearheaded the organisation’s data-driven response to supply chain disruption while hoping to enable future growth. A pioneering figure in the world of data and analytics, he was named as the most influential person in data and analytics in the 2022 edition of the DataIQ 100.

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