CDO Magazine’s Atlanta Executive Boardroom Dinner on April 24 brought together senior data, analytics, and AI leaders for an engaging evening of dialogue. The event focused on pressing topics such as evolving ethical and regulatory considerations in the age of AI, the importance of human readiness, and strengthening data governance frameworks.

Participants shared insights on navigating rapid technological change while ensuring responsible innovation, emphasizing the importance of strong ethical foundations in AI deployment. The evening fostered a collaborative environment for exchanging ideas and strategies to drive data-driven transformation grounded in integrity, accountability, and ethical responsibility.

Sharing his experience, Ameet Shetty, Equifax Chief Data Officer, U.S. Information Solutions (USIS), says, “The true test of our technological prowess will not be in the sophistication of the algorithms we create, but in the wisdom and ethical considerations we embed within them.”  

Shetty elaborates that it was a great discussion on AI ethics. “Specifically, it isn’t just about preventing harm; it’s about actively shaping a future where intelligent systems amplify our best values and contribute to a more just and equitable world.” 

Sammi Li, Flagstar Bank Head, Client Insights and Analytics, shares her perspectives from the discussion:

• Policies guide AI. People make it responsible.
• Tech leaders must lead with curiosity, connection, and a commitment to continuous growth.

Anthony Losanno, CDO Magazine SVP, Sales, says, “Data Society and The Data Lodge led a fascinating discussion around the need to educate all levels of an organization around AI, the ethics surrounding its use, and everything that is rapidly evolving. This continued with how orgs need to rethink roles, create them, and adapt as changes inevitably occur over the next few years.”

Summing up the evening, Ioana Mazare, The Data Lodge SVP & General Manager, says, “At our boardroom dinner, data and AI leaders agreed that the pace of AI innovation demands faster, smarter action — especially around ethics, governance, and human readiness. Building adaptive governance frameworks, embedding ethical guardrails into daily operations, and elevating data and AI literacy — starting at the C-suite — are now essential for responsible scaling. To win in the age of AI, organizations must rethink roles, bridge business and tech, and turn literacy into leadership.”

Special thanks to Data Society and The Data Lodge for their partnership in making the event a success.

*Ameet Shetty and Sammi Li are members of both the Executive Board and the Global Editorial Board, with Shetty also being recognized as a Top 25 Atlanta Data Leader.

Executives attending the Atlanta CDO Magazine Executive Boardroom Dinner included: 

Ian Allison, Ivanti Head, Data; Tim Berryman, Aspen AI CEO & Co-Founder; Elise Bockman, Sherwin-Williams VP, Enterprise Data & Insights; Gabriel Charvat, Dun & Bradstreet VP, Data Quality; Xiquan Cui, Home Depot Sr. Manager, Machine Learning & Data Science; Rajendra Gangavarapu, Pathward SVP; Siddharth Gangavarapu, CorServ; Jatinear Givens, Serta Simmons Bedding Enterprise Data Strategy Leader; Siddharth Goyal, MiTek Director, AI; Avi Guha, Southwire VP, AI & Advanced Analytics; Ehrar Jameel, TK Elevator Head, Data Enablement, Analytics & AI, North America; Imtiaz Juneja, Macy’s Director, Enterprise Data Analytics; Yingying Kang, Assurant Director, AI & Data Science; Ali Khan, Experian Consumer Services SVP & Chief Data Officer; Sammi Li, Flagstar Bank Head, Client Insights and Analytics; Murugesh Mayandi, Tech Mahindra Head, Data & Analytics, Americas; Gerson Morales, BrandSafway VP, Enterprise Technology & Digital Operations; Karthik Neelisetty, Floor & Decor Sr. Director Data & Analytics; Satish Padiyar, HCSC Data & Analytics Division, VP; Chirag Patel, CSL Global Head AI Solutions Business Partner; Carl Patten II, Boys and Girls Club of Atlanta VP, Information Technology; Kartik Pillai, Yum! Brands Director, Data Strategy, Master Data Management, AI & Data Governance; Scott Sacha, Novelis VP, Enterprise Data & Analytics; Ameet Shetty, Equifax Chief Data Officer, US Information Solutions, USIS; Pankaj Singal, Goldman Sachs Chief Data Officer, Risk Division; Olga Sudvarg, Invesco COO, Data, Global Head, Data Strategy & Delivery; Seemant Teotia, Equifax VP Product & Analytics Integration; Peter Vennel, Equifax Enterprise Data Strategy & Execution Executive; Dre Feeney, The Data Lodge Director, Global Client Solutions, Data & AI Literacy Programs; Ioana Mazare, The Data Lodge SVP, GM, Robert Daniel, Data Society Group Chief Revenue Officer; Scott Shimp, Data Society Group VP, Solutions; Steve Bangsund, CDO Magazine Sr. Executive Program Director; Bill Gannon, CDO Magazine EVP CDO Magazine; Anthony Losanno, CDO Magazine SVP, Sales; Camille Prado, CDO Magazine Global Editor.