The first Federal CDO Council Symposium on November 21 provided an essential platform for federal data leaders to explore the evolving role of data in mission-critical functions. Led by the theme “Data Powers Mission: Transforming Business and Mission with Data,” the event highlighted how aligning data management practices with AI technologies can transform organizational capabilities.

With six insightful panel discussions and two keynote presentations, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of how data can drive efficiency, enhance outcomes, and unlock new opportunities within the federal landscape.

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Reflecting on the event, host Kirsten Dalboe, Federal CDO Council Chair and U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission CDO, says: “The CDO Symposium event was a fantastic day hearing from and collaborating with federal peers on the ways in which data powers our important government missions. We had the privilege of hearing from federal leaders who experience firsthand the transformative power of data, learning from their insights and being inspired for our own missions. We heard practical strategies for developing a data-powered workforce, promoting a strong data culture, and identifying and cultivating data skills among our teams so that we can create a thriving, data-centric environment. Data is not just a resource, it is a strategic enabler of modernizing our agency missions and we are excited to continue driving mission success.”

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Host Rob King, Federal CDO Council Vice Chair and U.S. Department of Energy CDO, highlights key insights and themes:

1. Collaborative leadership: The success of federal CDOs hinges on building robust relationships with C-level mission and business leaders, CIOs, and CAIOs to align data strategies with mission goals. CDOs must drive the development of executive-level data fluency to bridge the understanding of how data strategies can impact mission outcomes.

2. Data-centric AI readiness: Preparing for the responsible and effective adoption of AI involves ensuring strong governance, high-quality data, workforce upskilling, and integrating and aligning AI strategies with existing data initiatives.

3. Data-driven culture: Cultivating a data-centric organizational mindset is essential for leveraging data to drive government missions and solve complex problems. There is no data strategy without fostering a data culture — “data culture is the thing.”

4. Utilizing data: Leaders should be incentivized to enhance data quality; using data to inform decision-making is the optimal incentive. Leaders cannot wait until data is of perfect quality to use; instead, they should create an environment that allows data owners to increase quality over time while using the data.

5. Strategic partnerships: Cross-organizational and cross-agency collaboration is critical for enhancing data sharing and utility. Data’s value increases exponentially when it is governed and shared, with security controls, across diverse functions and organizations.

6. Symposium impact: The inaugural Federal CDO Council Symposium gathered a diverse group of government thought-leaders, promoting various discussions and highlighting progress and opportunities stemming from the Evidence Based Decision Making Act, setting a precedent for future gatherings.

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Sharing from her experience, speaker Chandra Donelson, U.S. Space Force CDAO & Director of Data Artificial Intelligence and Software, says, “I genuinely believe one of the core responsibilities of not just a data leader but any leader is to bring together the best talent and cultivate a culture that enables them to thrive and excel. Sometimes, that requires doing things non-traditionally.

“Crisis has always driven innovation, but we must shift the narrative,” Donelson adds. “As leaders, it’s essential to encourage your team to conduct fast, fearless experiments more often and to strive for greater efficiency every day—without waiting for the pressure of a crisis.”

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Summing up the event, Speaker Oliver Wise, U.S. Department of Commerce CDO and Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, says, “The CDOC Symposium was a testament to how vibrant the federal data community is. We are only five years out from the Evidence Act, but it is clear the value of the CDO role is rippling through the government. From supporting traditional data analytics to next generation AI, the CDO function is more vital than ever.”

The Federal Chief Data Officers (CDO) Council was established by the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, which also requires all federal agencies to appoint a CDO.

Kirsten Dalboe, Rob King, and Chandra Donelson are members of CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board.

Executives speaking at the 2024 Federal CDO Council Symposium included:

Naomi Adaniya, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency CDO; Christopher Alvares, U.S. Department of Agriculture CDO, CAIO; Dorothy Aronson, U.S. National Science Foundation CDO; Erica Barker, U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission CDO; Ellie Collinson, U.S. Trade Development Administration Deputy Director, CDO, CAIO; Kirsten Dalboe, Federal CDO Council Chair, U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission CDO; Dr. Mahnaz Dean, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Acting CDO; Mittal Desai, U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission CIO; Chandra Donelson, U.S. Space Force CDO, CAIO; Dr. Dominique Duval-Diop, U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy CDO; Ren Essene, U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau CDO; Matthew Graviss, U.S. Department of State CDO, CAIO; Austin Gerig, U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission; Deirdre Harrison, U.S. Office of Management and Budget Deputy Controller; Dr. Jeff Hyacinthe, U.S. Department of Interior Acting CDO; Dr. Susan Jenkins, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Evaluation Officer; Adam Kavalsky, U.S. Social Security Administration Chief Performance Officer; Robert King, Federal CDO Council Vice Chair, U.S. Department of Energy CDO; Josh Linard, U.S. Department of Energy Component CDO; Dr. Jacob Malcom, U.S. Department of Interior Statistical Official; Dominic Mancini, U.S. Office of Management & Budget Deputy Administrator; Daniel Morgan, U.S. Departmemt of Transportation CDO; Drew Myklegard, U.S. Office of Management & Budget Deputy Federal CIO; Martin O’Malley, U.S. Social Security Administration Commissioner; Patrick Newbold, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CIO; Jessica Palatka, U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration; Harry Petrey, U.S. Department of Defense Policy Team Leader, Chief Digital & AI Office; Carin Quiroga, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement CDO; Lisa Rosenmerkel, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs CDO; Lenora Stiles, U.S. Department of Treasury Director, Office of Strategic Planning & Performance Improvement; Gary Washington, U.S. Department of Agriculture CIO; Trae Watkins, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Chief Readiness Support Officer; Oliver Wise, U.S. Department of Commerce CDO and Under Secretary for Economic Affairs.