CDO Matters Podcast

Episode OverviewIn this episode of CDO Matters, Malcolm Hawker sits down with Yext Chief Data Officer Christian Ward to explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping the relationship between data and modern marketing. As traditional playbooks built around search, SEO, and paid media begin to fracture, the conversation dives into what this shift means for CMOs—and why CDOs must step into a far more consultative and strategic role in guiding how organizations prepare their data for an AI-mediated customer journey. The result is a thoughtful discussion on the emerging data realities behind AI-driven discovery, and what data leaders must do today to ensure their marketing partners remain visible, relevant, and competitive in an AI-first world. Episode Links and ResourcesFollow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedInFollow Christian Ward on LinkedIn

Samir Sharma, data and analytics leader and author of The Data Strategy Canvas, shares the origin of his canvas and why it links strategy to execution. He explains mapping objectives to decisions, how the canvas unites business and tech, and updates for AI, ethics, and governance. They discuss practical ways to start small, avoid vendor hype, and focus on measurable delivery.

Karthik Ravindran, GM for go-to-market for Data and AI at Microsoft with decades in data platform and governance. He discusses treating data as durable products, melding ontologies and knowledge graphs for context, and stitching work graphs to activate AI in the flow of work. He also covers platform strategy like OneLake, scaling GenAI beyond POCs, and reskilling roles for human-plus-AI workflows.

Sarah Levy, CEO and founder of Uno, brings two decades of startup leadership across cybersecurity, healthcare, and fintech. She talks about why traditional data governance breaks under AI. They cover automated context and metadata, column-level lineage, semantic tensions and multiple truths. She outlines adaptive, probabilistic governance and practical starting points like lineage and business champions.

Eric Overby, Faculty Director at Georgia Tech's Scheller College and leader of the Chief AI and Data Officer program, discusses building resilient careers in data. He outlines blended executive education, why technical leaders seek business and leadership breadth, and the importance of storytelling, collaboration with finance, and legal and ethical guardrails for AI.

Discover bold predictions for data and analytics in 2026! The conversation highlights the enduring importance of the CDO role amid evolving AI and analytics landscapes. Trust emerges as a focal point, essential for successful AI operationalization. Expect practical advancements in agent technology and clearer ROI from Gen AI. Knowledge management is set to grow in significance, while the political implications of AI and data centers are explored, including a surprising forecast about Microsoft and Databricks.

Explore the cautious optimism for data spending in 2025 amid a shifting economic backdrop. Discover the Gen AI paradox, where widespread use fails to deliver expected ROI. Delve into the rise of data products and the urgency for better governance of unstructured data. Malcolm critiques AI-washing in the industry and highlights the urgent need for mid-career professionals to disrupt themselves and upskill. Get insights on smaller, conversational conference formats fostering community engagement, and the accelerating convergence of data management tools.

Jeremi Karnell, Head of Data Solutions at InvestNet and former CEO of Trulytics, shares insights on transforming vast amounts of digital data into actionable decision intelligence for financial advisors. He discusses the pivot from traditional BI to decision intelligence, revealing how a massive insights engine generates 25 million actionable insights daily. Karnell delves into embedding data within product strategies for revenue growth, and explores the integration of generative AI in advisor workflows, offering a roadmap for achieving real ROI in fintech.

In this engaging conversation, Jonathan Ong, Data Director for Mecklenburg County Public Health, shares insights from his experience building a robust data governance program with a small team. He emphasizes the importance of securing executive buy-in and fostering data literacy through innovative training. Discover how they leveraged COVID reporting to enhance data practices and utilized dashboards to showcase data quality. Ong also discusses the need for governance to reside within the business, not just IT, and strategies for preparing data for AI.

Rebecca O'Kill, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Axis Capital, reveals how to transform skeptics into data allies through listening and delivering value. She discusses the importance of prioritizing data initiatives based on business needs and evolving delivery models to incorporate agile practices. Rebecca also highlights the role of AI champions in driving adoption while balancing central control with federated innovation. Emphasizing a growth mindset, she advocates for experimentation and continuous learning in data governance.