The Data Chief

Geraldine Wong, CDO of GXS Bank in Singapore shares how they established data literacy at the bank, the formation of GXS Bank and their focus on financial inclusion, the potential of generative AI to accelerate data literacy, challenges in operationalizing machine learning models in banking, Singapore's leadership in data privacy standards and AI ethics, the importance of financial services, education, and infrastructure in Singapore, and closing segment on travel and networking.

Sumathi Thiyagarajan, VP of Business Strategy and Analytics for the Milwaukee Bucks, discusses building a data team, personalized fan experiences, increasing team visibility in the marketplace, and finding strong data team talent through a successful hackathon.

Alex Viana, VP of Data at Vercel, shares insights on leading data teams at different fast-growing tech companies, building scalable data platforms, delivering value through stakeholder engagement, and balancing long-term vision with short-term action. Topics include his data journey with the Hubble Space Telescope, transitioning from growth-stage to mature companies, creating synchronicity across departments, and the growth of generative AI in data.

Each day, valuable patient data collected by healthcare systems. When used properly as part of healthcare analytics, this can help drive better outcomes for both patients and providers. However, when data management is not effectively implemented, organizations lose out on these benefits. Terry Myerson, CEO of Truveta, saw the need to unlock data’s potential while still ensuring privacy and security. In this episode, he discusses his company’s unique approach,  the urgent need for better data insights for treatment protocols, and how AI is creating both efficiencies and concerns when making sense of data.Tune in to learn:The origin of Truveta [6:28]Pulling data from the provider, not the patient [9:47]Fragmentation, privacy, and unstructured data [11:58]Healthcare data trends [15:50]Population-level data [17:49]Bringing in data from multiple systems [23:08]Why transparency earns trust [26:10]Language models and generative AI [28:10]Terry’s career journey [35:29]Mentions: Providence HealthcareCNNRogaineOzempicBoston ScientificNational Library of MedicineBloombergMicrosoftWorld Health OrganizationCommon SpiritTrinity HealthThe Emperor of All MaladiesMacklemoreGet even more insights from data and analytics leaders like Terry on The Data Chief.  Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

It’s one thing for a company to invest in new technology. It’s another for a company to become invested in technology. In this episode, Yao Morin, CTO of JLL explains how she isn’t just adding data to the company workflow, but is instead fostering a culture of innovation and data-driven mindsets across the 240-year-old company through education, and by demonstrating data’s business value across departments. Key Moments:  Yao’s rapid rise at JLL [4:01] Energy efficiency data in commercial real estate [13:26] Fostering creativity and imagination in data teams [16:29] Better understanding of B2B customer pain points [21:24] Yao’s approach to startup investment [23:45] Generative AI and the data/analytics workflow [28:58] Delegating to better manage large data teams [32:27] The underrepresentation of women in data and tech leadership roles [36:02]Mentions: IntuitStubHubJira / ConfluenceInvisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado PerezTom DavenportDiablo IV (video game)“Bohemian Rhapsody” by QueenGet even more insights from data and analytics leaders like Yao on The Data Chief.  Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

The role of data teams continues to evolve across industries. But in mission-driven fields such as healthcare, data creates efficiencies that could potentially save lives. In this episode of The Data Chief, Cindi is joined by Jeremy Forman of Seagen to discuss the pivotal role his data team plays in driving insights-informed decision-making, and how they successfully collaborate with other departments to improve patient outcomes.  Key Moments: The key challenges for data leaders in healthcare [3:50]How Jeremy’s team supports company-wide initiatives [9:16]Fostering cross-team communication and collaboration [12:08]An ideal data organizational structure [14:39]Driving organizational change [17:09]Building an entrepreneurial culture [20:59]Setting competing priorities [29:01]FAIR data principles [36:34]Jeremy’s career path [41:19]Mentions:Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationGeronimo Restaurant in Santa Fe, New MexicoChatGPTBardAmazon TitanLos Alamos National LaboratoryOracleGet even more insights from data and analytics leaders like Jeremy on The Data Chief.  Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

When it comes to investing, it’s been said that the biggest risk of all is not taking one. But for many of us, the prospect of figuring out how and where to smartly invest our money is overwhelming if not flat-out confusing. TIFIN is a FinTech company focused on democratizing this process by matching investors to potential investments with AI. In this episode, Raja Musunuru, the Chief Product Officer of financial tech leader TIFIN, covers a wide range of topics, from the importance of understanding customer needs to promoting data fluency across an organization. Tune in to learn:About TIFIN [00:55]Raja’s unique perspective on technology, data, and products [12:01]The costs of cloud computing [16:04]Cloud governance and oversight [20:02]Views on FinOps [21:22]Optimizing the costs of multi-cloud operations [29:23]Promoting data fluency [36:19]Mentions: TIFINAmicus.ioDr. Vinay NairKPMGAmazon Web Services (AWS)Google CloudGrit: The Power of Passion and PerseveranceThe MindsetGet even more insights from data and analytics leaders like Raja on The Data Chief.  Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

Using data to gain customer insights can be difficult. Using data to gain customer insights from an ever-growing, ever-changing entertainment audience presents a much steeper challenge. In this episode, Elizabeth Stone, VP, Data & Insights at Netflix, explains how her dedicated team reflects the larger Netflix culture, balancing hard data with a mindset of learning and experimentation to make decisions that improve the Netflix experience. Tune in to learn:Elizabeth’s role as head of Netflix’s data and insights team (2:46)How Netflix is leveraging machine learning (11:13)The continued culture of innovation at Netflix (13:44)Using data to inform intuition and choice (18:00)How the data and insights team engages with other stakeholders (22:30)How Elizabeth obtains the resources she needs (25:37)The importance of cross-functional understanding and collaboration (32:13)Mentions:Gartner Data and Analytics ConferenceLyftRandy Bean, author of Fail Fast, Learn FasterChatGPT/OpenAIDaft Punk / Hot Chip / LCD SoundsystemGuest Bio: Elizabeth Stone leads Netflix’s Data & Insights org. Data & Insights is a centralized and globally distributed team that includes: data engineering, metrics development, analytic insights and tooling, research and development of machine learning algorithms, optimization and automation, experimentation and causal inference, and consumer research. The Data & Insights team applies this functional expertise to improve and evolve all parts of Netflix's business including the member-facing product, streaming delivery, content, studio production, games, ads, business operations, and growth. Elizabeth previously worked in finance, both as a trader and as an economic consultant, before transitioning to the tech industry, where she led teams at Nuna and Lyft. She is a graduate of MIT and Stanford University.Get even more insights from data and analytics leaders on The Data Chief.  Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

Most data professionals aspire to be leaders within a single industry. It’s rare to see professionals establish and re-establish themselves as powerful influencers across multiple verticals. But this is precisely what Dr. Alexander Borek has done, helping some of the world’s most recognizable brands scale tangible value from data, analytics, and AI. In this episode, he covers a wide range of topics, including his personal career journey, creating cultures of innovation, centralized vs. decentralized data products, and the imminent impact of generative AI.  Key Moments: Background on Zalando [2:15]Dr. Borek’s The Ultimate Data and AI Guide [5:32]Becoming a data leader in multiple industries [7:02]Germany’s growing data culture [14:30]The need for a greater sense of urgency in data understanding [17:07]The origins of the data mesh [19:33]The benefits of cross-team collaboration [24:44]Data mash vs. data fabric [31:30]Using data for insight and action [37:28]The rapid expansion of generative technologies [40:10]Mentions: Bernard MarrThe Ultimate Data and AI GuideNetflixVolkswagen ManufacturingCelonisData Warehousing InstituteThe Wall Street JournalKubernetesGartnerIBM Advanced Analytics CenterChatGPTYou can join Alex in person at the Data Masterclass Europe 2023 conference! The conference will be held in Berlin from June 21-23. Apply to join here. Get even more insights from data and analytics leaders on The Data Chief.  Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

The role of the CDO is changing, and with these changes come new opportunities to prove business value. On this episode of The Data Chief, Ido Biger, EVP of Data and Technology for Delek US, explains how he’s breaking down data silos and turning insights to actionHe also takes listeners through several analytics use cases including creating operational efficiencies for frontline workers and reducing customer churn. Tune in to learn:Ido’s role at Delek and confronting his biggest challenge (04:23)How Ido breaks down data silos (11:53)Using data-driven insights to increase operational efficiency - Telco case study (15:15)Using data-driven insights to reduce customer churn - Airline case study (20:01)Why COVID was a huge opportunity for the airline industry (26:20)Turning insights to action - Oil and gas case study (29:08)The importance of finding a sponsor for your data project (32:19)How to prove value as a CDO (33:04)Ido’s work as a professor (35:12)The skills data professionals need to succeed  (37:32)Mentions:Roman Empire on NetflixDoug Laney Simon SinekMashinaThe Data Chief Guest’s Pump-Up Songs PlaylistGet even more insights from data and analytics leaders on The Data Chief.  Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.