How to leverage data to create a more intelligent organization

Can you deliver meaningful results on a data project within one or two quarters? That’s a requirement for nearly any initiative undertaken by Petco Chief Data and Analytics Officer Rakesh Srinivasan, who invests the talent and resources to achieve results quickly.

“I’m a big believer in not building multi-year plans when you’re in a quick transformation journey,” Srinivasan said. It’s important to start scrappy and start seeing results.”

Srinivasan will share Petco’s ongoing data journey at CIO’s Future of Data Summit, taking place virtually May 10-11. Focusing on creating the intelligent organization, the event will gather technology executives to discuss both strategy and concrete implementation tactics.

The program begins May 10 with Hilary Mason, data scientist in residence at Accel Partners. Mason, highly skilled in using data to inform transformational changes in a business, will share insights about leading data projects as well as field questions in a live discussion with attendees.

Carrier CIO Gundeep Singh will describe how the company overhauled its data strategy, and Vanguard’s chief data analytics officer, Ryan Swann, will discuss how the growing sophistication of advanced analytics connects to greater investor outcomes. Travelers Senior Vice President and Chief Data and Analytics Officer Mano Mannoochahr will discuss creating a data-first culture.

The new nonprofit the Data & Trust Alliance, whose members include influential American corporations like Nike, Starbucks, American Express and Meta, is seeking to develop a new literacy for organizations to help them adopt responsible data and AI practices. Executive Director Jon Iwata will discuss recent projects and the overall strategy guiding the organization.

Addressing a major pain point for businesses globally, Extreme Networks CIO John Abel, Sanmina CIO and Senior Vice President Manesh Patel, and Erik Singleton, a consultant at North Highland Worldwide will discuss using data to solve supply chain challenges.

Finally, we will introduce the winners of IDC’s Best in Future of Intelligence North America Awards. Ken Finnerty, vice president of information technology at overall winner UPS, will discuss how the shipping giant thinks about innovation and tools like artificial intelligence and data architecture with Chandana Gopal, IDC’s research director for Future of Intelligence.

That’s followed by insights from category winners, speaking in conversation with Dan Vesset, IDC group vice president for analytics and information management. Sharing their data best practices are George Villarreal, deputy director of the traffic safety division of the Texas Department of Transportation; Anthony Seraphim, vice president of data governance at Texas Mutual Insurance; and Susan Ford, president of SEMMA Health and Partner at Graham Allen Partners on behalf of winner Michiana Hematology Oncology.

On May 11, we’ll look at one of the most high-profile new consumer use cases of data: sports betting. Darren Rovell, a senior producer at Action Network and a former journalist at ESPN and CNBC, will share how sophisticated data newly available to bettors is equalizing the playing field with sports books. He will also answer questions about blockchain, AI, and more in a live discussion with summit participants.

Dana McGraw, vice president of audience modeling and data science at Disney Advertising, will discuss how the company uses data clean rooms to allow marketers to incorporate their own data with Disney’s to better reach consumers. Darryl Maraj, senior vice president and chief technology officer of the Digital Innovation Group at GA Telesis, will share how quick prototyping and other advances have made data integral part of the commercial aviation company’s business.

Showing results quickly may be one way to prove the value of the role of the chief data officer – a vital step in an era when the average tenure of a CDO is less than three years. Randy Bean, founder and CEO of NewVantage Partners, Tom Davenport, president’s distinguished professor of information technology and management at Babson College, and Josh King, a partner at Ridgeway Partners, share the biggest implement to success in the role and potential solutions for success.

Looking to the future, we will explore one of the most talked about yet unrealized technologies: quantum computing. Roger Grimes, a data-driven defense evangelist at KnowBe4, and Bob Lewis, president of IT Catalysts, will take sides on when – or whether – the tool will be available and helpful for businesses.

More immediately, data leaders can explore using citizen data scientists. In a live workshop, InfoWorld contributing editor Isaac Sacolick will coach attendees on how to develop citizen data scientist centers of excellence. The session will address avoiding data silos and best practices for data governance.

Every year, Merriam-Webster makes headlines with its word of the year. It’s just one way the company uses data from its online dictionary. Editor at large Peter Sokolowski will share how data can reveal cultural and political zeitgeist and what we can learn from it.

Throughout the summit, sponsors including Amazon Web Service will share innovative solutions for building your data strategy.

Check out the full summit agenda here. The event is free to attend for qualified attendees. Don’t miss out – register today.

Pictured above (left to right): Dana McGraw, vice president of audience modeling and data science at Disney Advertising; Darryl Maraj, senior vice president and chief technology officer of the Digital Innovation Group at GA Telesis; and Darren Rovell, senior producer at Action Network.