Behind every groundbreaking AI initiative, sophisticated analytics platform, and digital transformation is a human being. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor Raconteur’s "Data Leaders 25", a report celebrating 25 individuals who are redefining what’s possible through data.
These visionaries aren’t just adapting to the data revolution—they’re driving it. While they represent different industries like technology, healthcare, finance, and retail, they share one common goal: to unlock the potential of data to solve real-world problems.
Among the leaders highlighted are:
- Abhi Seth, Chief Enterprise AI and Data Officer at Boeing
- Alexandra Sidgreaves, Chief Data Officer at Zurich UK (an Own customer)
- Andrew Reiskind, Chief Data Officer at Mastercard
- Berta Rodriguez-Hervas, Chief AI and Analytics Officer at Pfizer
- Cameron Davies, Chief Data Officer at Yum! Brands
- Tracy Ring, Chief Data Officer And Global Generative AI Lead- Life Sciences at Accenture
Below are a few excerpts from the report, which you can read here in its entirety.
Everything is ready for AI- except your data
Ling Ling Lo, global head of data strategy and transformation and EMEA head of Nomura’s chief data office is one of the Data Leaders 25. She says that while everyone wants to innovate with AI, there are certain foundational things that you need to have in place first.
According to Lo, three common problems occur when attempting to deploy and scale AI.
“The first problem that firms normally have is that they’re not sure what data is needed,” says Lo. “The second is that they know what data is needed, but they can’t get to it because it’s buried somewhere. And the third is that the data is available, but it’s hard to use – either because there’s a format problem, a quality problem or there’s not enough of it.”
In the report, she shares a story of a Nomura employee who encountered the ‘not enough data’ issue while working on a project. “The fact that some of the necessary data was lacking only became clear once the project was underway,” says Lo. “This meant it had to be put on hold until the additional data could be obtained and stored for a few months. This is the easiest way to kill off an AI use case.”
Data Storytelling Is a Real (and Undervalued) Skill
In the Data Leaders 25 report, Andrew Mason, head of data at Grainger, explains how effective storytelling can bridge the gap between data and decision-making:
“You can put lots of hard work into data preparation, but if you can’t communicate your point effectively, that hard work has gone to waste,” says Andrew. “Often, the intended audience struggles to resonate with data because it is not conveyed properly. We call it data storytelling, which is really just a way of saying effective data communication. In our world, especially for data professionals, everyone is a salesperson in data. You’re selling insights to the business. So, using data effectively is about selling the story back to the business to encourage an action.”
The Chief Data Officer Role May Be New, But It’s Increasingly Important
For Prudential Financial, the Chief Data Officer (CDO) plays a pivotal role in steering organizational strategy. Kjersten Moody, Prudential Financial's inaugural global CDO and member of the Data Leaders 25, emphasizes that establishing such a position represents a significant enterprise investment, highlighting the importance of data, data science, and AI in maintaining competitiveness.
“The thing is to recognise and respect that a new role leading a new department is like a new piece on the chessboard,” says Kjersten. “The organisation has to understand how to work with this extra department and what the department does not do. They need to understand why that team is necessary for the organisation’s success, and how it contributes to the overall business.”
Kjersten says that for the data office, that means understanding the business strategies and how data, AI and analytics interact with that strategy to deliver long-term strategic value. And then it’s remembering every day that the customer should come first and that we must build trust.
Want to Hear More from the Data Leaders? Check out our Vision 2025 Panel
In addition to the Data Leaders 25 report, we hosted a panel discussion with several of the Data Leaders themselves. Dane Buchanan, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at M&C Saatchi Performance, Jack Berkowitz, Chief Data Officer at Securiti, and Adrian Kunzle, Chief Technology Officer at Own Company, shared insights into the evolving role of data and AI in shaping business strategies. Among the topics they discussed were:
- The Two Sides of AI: While AI accelerates innovation by enabling faster testing and problem-solving, it has also exposed weaknesses in data governance and quality. Organizations must address foundational issues to safely scale AI initiatives.
- The Evolving Role of the Chief Data Officer (CDO): The CDO has shifted from a technical role to a strategic one, requiring business acumen to drive transformation. Cross-functional collaboration is key to managing AI, governance, and compliance effectively.
- Building a Data-Literate Workforce: Data literacy is essential across all roles, especially as AI tools become more embedded in everyday work. Training should bridge the gap between personal comfort with AI and professional application.
Watch the on-demand session here to hear their insights firsthand and get your copy of the Data Leaders 25 Report here.
