Understand how to close the gap between AI experimentation and enterprise production. Shub Agarwal, Founder of the AI Trust Lab at USC and author of Successful AI Product Creation: A Nine-Step Framework , shares his AI product management framework for taking enterprise AI strategy from demo to production, drawing on two decades of product leadership at Amazon and Fortune 50 firms. He breaks down why experimentation must tie directly to business OKRs, the four mindset shifts leaders need to scale...
May 27, 2026•38 min•Ep. 137
Learn what happens when the executive accountable for data strategy is also the executive accountable for the business results that depend on it. Saugata Saha, President of S&P Global Market Intelligence and Chief Enterprise Data Officer at S&P Global, shares how he manages one of the world's largest financial data estates while driving business outcomes across public and private markets. He breaks down the four pillars of S&P Global's data strategy, the federated organizational mode...
May 13, 2026•41 min•Ep. 136
Learn why an organization’s ontology, a structured framework for how a business defines, connects, and makes sense of its data and knowledge, is the most valuable and most overlooked asset in any AI strategy. Jessica Talisman, CEO and Founder of The Ontology Pipeline, and Tony Seale, Founder of The Knowledge Graph Guys, break down what it actually takes to build trusted AI, covering everything from semantic layers and knowledge graphs to why provenance is non-negotiable. They explain how organiz...
Apr 22, 2026•53 min•Ep. 135
Discover how WHOOP is building an AI-powered health data infrastructure that is redefining how we understand human health. Emily Capodilupo, Senior Vice President of Research, Algorithms, and Data at WHOOP, explains how continuous physiological data is uncovering new opportunities in predictive health through AI, from presymptomatic disease detection to biological age scoring. She examines the governance challenges of deploying AI in a regulated environment and what it takes to build the data tr...
Apr 08, 2026•41 min•Ep. 134
Learn why scaling AI is as much a human challenge as it is a technological one. Stefano Puntoni, Co-Director of Wharton Human-AI Research and Professor at The Wharton School, examines the limits of data-driven decision making in the age of AI and why insights so often fail to translate into action. He breaks down the psychology behind AI resistance and outlines the leadership and change management strategies needed to turn AI potential into real organizational impact. Key Moments: Why More Data ...
Mar 25, 2026•42 min•Ep. 133
Discover how enterprise AI and data strategy are operationalized at scale in one of the most highly regulated industries in the world. Louis DiModugno, Global Chief Data Officer at Verisk, shares how he builds AI-ready data foundations across 40+ petabytes of insurance and risk data, and the best practices behind embedding AI into enterprise products. He discusses unstructured data, deepfakes, and the shift from governance to observability, offering practical insights for data leaders scaling AI...
Mar 11, 2026•47 min•Ep. 132
Learn how AI agents are reshaping enterprise decision-making, AI governance, and brand creativity. Daniel Hulme, Chief AI Officer at WPP & CEO of Satalia/Conscium, explains how AI agents, decision intelligence, and his concept of “brand brains” (AI systems designed to create brand-specific, production-grade content) are changing how organizations operate. He shares why companies don’t have data problems but decision-making problems, and how AI can augment human creativity at scale. Key Momen...
Feb 25, 2026•41 min•Ep. 131
Discover how Nasdaq uses data platforms at a massive scale to power markets and prepare for AI. Angie Ruan, Nasdaq’s CTO of Capital Access Platforms, explains how large-scale data systems support market integrity, transparency, and decision-making across public and private markets. She defines what it really means to be AI-ready, how leaders should modernize data platforms, and how market fundamentals help separate real AI value from hype. Key Moments: Why Nasdaq Is More Than a Stock Exchange (0...
Feb 11, 2026•43 min•Ep. 130
Discover why the future of AI at work is more human than you think. Vinay Gidwaney, Chief Product Officer at OneDigital, shares how treating AI agents as talent rather than technology is changing AI adoption at work. He explains people-first change management, managing AI coworkers, building trust in human AI teams, and why real transformation depends on equity, access, and better decision-making. Key Moments: AI as a Coworker (01:45): Vinay introduces “Ben,” an AI benefits consultant at OneDigi...
Jan 28, 2026•48 min•Ep. 129
In this season premiere of The Data Chief podcast, host Cindi Howson sits down with three industry leaders to unpack what’s next for AI, and the concrete moves data and AI leaders need to make in 2026—many of which are detailed in ThoughtSpot’s Top Data & AI Trends of 2026 ebook. Get ready for a deep dive into: Agentic AI goes mainstream with Paul Baier, CEO and Co-Founder of GAI Insights AI-ready data and the rise of the AI manager with Jennifer Belissent, Principal Data Strategist at Snowf...
Jan 14, 2026•56 min•Ep. 128
In this special episode, host Cindi Howson pulls together the most useful, and hard-won, lessons from a year of conversations with Data Chiefs leading the GenAI charge. With generative and agentic AI no longer a side experiment, this episode spotlights five practices early adopters can rely on to move from pilots to profit. Expect straight talk on what to prioritize, how to bring people with you, and how to scale AI with the trust, literacy, and guardrails that make impact stick. Key Moments: Ty...
Dec 17, 2025•45 min•Ep. 127
Learn how one of the world’s biggest restaurant companies is turning data and AI into a recipe for global innovation. Cameron Davies, Chief Data Officer at Yum! Brands, shares how he’s combining strategy, technology, and change management to drive gobal growth. He explains how Yum! is building AI literacy from the top down, reimagining operations with generative AI, and partnering with NVIDIA to scale innovation. Cameron reveals what true data leadership looks like, balancing bold ideas with bus...
Dec 03, 2025•40 min•Ep. 126
Step inside a conversation on the art and architecture of AI transformation. Vedran Karamani, Group Data Analytics & Agentic AI – CDAIO at Alghanim Industries, shares how he’s embedding intelligence across one of the Middle East’s largest conglomerates. He breaks down what it takes to make AI approachable in the boardroom, why data literacy is now a business imperative, and how to balance innovation with operational reality. Discover how Vedran is redefining the role of data, technology, and...
Nov 19, 2025•45 min•Ep. 125
In this episode of The Data Chief , Ilan Twig, co-founder and CTO of Navan, shares why large language models will revolutionize our relationship with technology—just like the mouse did for the keyboard. From pushing AI to its limits to launching Navan Cognition, built for zero critical hallucination , Ilan reveals what it really takes to lead through change and build AI that people can trust. He also dives into a critical question every company must face: Will you build AI from scratch, or build...
Nov 05, 2025•48 min•Ep. 124
Join us for a masterclass in building data-driven marketing cultures. Moe Kiss, Director of Data Science in Marketing at Canva, shares how she bridges analytics and storytelling to make data approachable across teams. She breaks down the shift from attribution to experimentation, why storytelling is a must-have skill for every data professional, and how to balance intuition with evidence. Discover how Moe’s redefining the balance between technology, trust, and empathy in data leadership. Key Mom...
Oct 22, 2025•40 min•Ep. 123
Welcome to a special author's episode of The Data Chief, where we delve into the minds of three influential authors who are shaping the conversation around data and AI. First, Geoff Woods, author of The AI-Driven Leader , shares his philosophy of prioritizing strategy over technology to make faster, smarter decisions. Next, Wendy Batchelder, author of The Data Governance Handbook , discusses how to transform governance from a rigid bureaucracy into a business accelerator by focusing on business ...
Oct 08, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 122
Join us for a compelling conversation on leading through change with Karen Stroup, Chief Digital Officer at WEX. In this episode of The Data Chief, Karen shares her insights on navigating the complexities of AI adoption. She discusses why focusing on the customer problem is more important than simply applying new technology, how to build trust by accounting for the "human side" of data, and why her team uses a "two-way door decision" to combat the rapid pace of tech change. Discover her "hot tak...
Sep 24, 2025•43 min•Ep. 121
The next generation of analytics is here. In this episode of The Data Chief, ThoughtSpot CEO Ketan Karkhanis explains why AI is the new BI, and the future of analytics is autonomous. Karkhanis shares his vision for the autonomous enterprise, where AI agents act on insights and automate workflows. He also explains why a culture of trust and experimentation is crucial for unlocking AI's full potential. Don't miss this discussion on how to fundamentally rethink how organizations interact with data ...
Sep 10, 2025•46 min•Ep. 120
Hear how data is rewriting the rules—and driving the future of innovation. Dr. Vanja breaks down his approach to enterprise AI, and the key strategies for success. He shares what it means to be a “data-forward organization” and why data must sit at the heart of how a company operates. Discover why integration speed is the new competitive edge Key Moments: Data as a Core Enterprise Asset (6:04): Dr. Vanja defines what it means to be a “data-forward organization,” emphasizing that data shouldn’t b...
Aug 20, 2025•33 min•Ep. 119
Join us for expert insights on driving data-led change. Anand Iyer, Senior Vice President and Chief Data Officer at Ecolab, breaks down his approach to AI-powered innovation. He shares how to ensure AI initiatives directly impact the bottom line, why an engineering approach is key for prioritizing AI use cases, and that "garbage in, disaster out" is the new reality for data at AI scale. Discover how self-service analytics with AI is transforming data access and why AI is now a critical "business...
Aug 06, 2025•40 min•Ep. 118
Prepare for game-changing AI insights! Join Noelle Russell, CEO of the AI Leadership Institute and author of Scaling Responsible AI: From Enthusiasm to Execution . Noelle, an AI pioneer, shares her journey from the early Alexa team with Jeff Bezos, where her unique perspective shaped successful mindfulness apps. We'll explore her "I Love AI" community, which has taught over 3.4 million people. Unpack responsible, profitable AI, from the "baby tiger" analogy for AI development and organizational ...
Jul 23, 2025•58 min•Ep. 117
Tune in for a masterclass in data leadership. Josh Cunningham, Group Head of Data and AI Culture at Lloyds Banking Group, unveils how this distinguished institution is boldly innovating with cutting-edge AI. Josh provides a riveting look into his unique role, which is dedicated to accelerating talent, building capabilities, and articulating data and AI's profound impact across the organization. Learn how Lloyds is rapidly expanding its data and AI graduate scheme and learn more about their ambit...
Jul 09, 2025•50 min•Ep. 116
Step inside the world of data innovation as Don Vu, SVP and Chief Data and Analytics Officer at New York Life, reveals how a 180-year-old institution is embracing cutting-edge AI. Don, shares insights from his unique background, spanning Major League Baseball and retail startups, now applied to transforming the insurance industry. Hear how New York Life leverages AI to make experiences proactive and intelligent, addressing challenges like the "last mile problem" in data operationalization. Key M...
Jun 25, 2025•40 min•Ep. 115
Step into the future of policing where data is a mission-critical asset. Cindi Howson talks with Aimee Smith, Director of Data at the Metropolitan Police, about the Met’s bold data transformation—from digitizing records dating back to 1829 to using AI and cloud tech for smarter, faster decisions. Hear how initiatives like the V100 program and real-time analytics help improve city safety. Key Moments: Genesis of the Met’s Data Strategy (03:35) - The Met's data strategy's origin is traced to forme...
Jun 11, 2025•45 min•Ep. 114
Embark on an insightful exploration of the hospitality sector, powered by data-driven analysis. Cindi Howson and Hyatt's data trailblazer, Ray Boyle (Vice President, Data and Analytics), are charting a course through Hyatt's data innovation. Witness how Hyatt's four-pillar data strategy is revolutionizing everything from employee empowerment to guest personalization and operational efficiency. Discover how Hyatt is democratizing data with self-service tools and pioneering an AI-powered frontier ...
May 21, 2025•41 min•Ep. 113
Prepare to see banking in a new light! Cindi Howson and Macquarie Bank's data trailblazer, Ashwin Sinha (Chief Data Officer), go deep into the AI revolution transforming financial services. Discover how one of Australia's most dynamic financial institutions, Macquarie Bank, is wielding the disruptive force of generative AI, not just for efficiency, but to combat high-stakes threats like fraud. Plus, discover the remarkable evolution of the data analyst from report-generator to AI-powered strateg...
May 12, 2025•41 min•Ep. 112
Ever wondered how data powers the magic behind your favorite theme park experiences? Join Cindi Howson and Gavin Hupp, VP of Technology, Enterprise Architecture, Data and Martech, E-commerce and Analytics at United Parks and Resorts, as they explore the complex data ecosystem of a theme park, from e-commerce and guest experience to AI's role in shaping the future of entertainment. Key Moments: Theme Park Business Model (03:12): Theme parks are described as a mix of multiple businesses, including...
Apr 23, 2025•45 min•Ep. 111
How does SharkNinja use data to fuel its rapid growth and product innovation? Join Cindi Howson and Elpida Ormanidou, VP of Analytics and Insights at SharkNinja, as they dissect SharkNinja's data-driven culture, Elpida's journey in the data space across CPG and retail, and her insights on AI in the workplace. Key Moments: Data-Driven Culture (03:36): SharkNinja strongly emphasizes data in its culture, utilizing it to inform decision-making processes. The company is committed to using customer fe...
Apr 09, 2025•41 min•Ep. 110
How is Sephora using data to create personalized experiences that customers love? Join Cindi Howson and Manbir Paul, VP of Engineering, Data Insights & MarTech at Sephora, as they explore the role of data and AI in understanding customer needs, predicting preferences, and delivering impactful moments. Key Moments: Micro-Moments that Matter (3:30): Sephora leverages data to create impactful moments for customers, like sending a timely reminder to a traveler about their moisturizer. Modern Dat...
Mar 19, 2025•39 min•Ep. 109
Join host Cindi Howson as she dives into the critical topic of diversity and inclusion in the data and AI space with Roisin McCarthy, founder of Women in Data UK, and Robin Sutara, Field CDO at Databricks. They discuss the challenges of recruiting and retaining diverse talent, the importance of male allies, and the role of AI in creating a more inclusive workforce Key Moments: The Power of Community: Building a Network for Women in Data: Roisin McCarthy shares the story behind founding Women in ...
Mar 05, 2025•54 min•Ep. 108
