The Data Chief

Why CDO of WEX Puts People Before Technology in the Age of AI

27 snips
Sep 24, 2025
Karen Stroup, Chief Digital Officer at WEX, shares her innovative approach to leadership amidst the complexities of AI. She emphasizes prioritizing customer problems over technology hype, believing that clarity fosters confidence. Stroup discusses the importance of the human side of data and explains her use of "two-way door decisions" to manage tech changes effectively. She envisions a future where dashboards become mere backdrops, as interactive experiences take center stage, revolutionizing user engagement.
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INSIGHT

Problem-First Product Mindset

  • Focus on the customer problem first, then pick the right technology to solve it.
  • Karen Beck Stroup says staying grounded in the problem increases chances of successful AI use.
ADVICE

Lead By Reducing Ambiguity

  • Help people navigate ambiguity by involving them and breaking change into bite-sized experiments.
  • Prioritize clarity over certainty and accelerate impact through rapid learning cycles.
ANECDOTE

Benefits Use Cases And The Accountant Example

  • Karen describes two benefits use cases: answering enrollment questions and managing claims during the year.
  • She recounts accountants distrusting automated prep to show why UX must build confidence in outputs.
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