AI is already producing measurable results for organizations, but turning individual successes into broader enterprise value remains a challenge.

That contrast came into focus when Boston-area data, AI, and technology executives gathered for CDO Magazine’s Executive Boardroom Dinner on October 21 at Rail Stop Restaurant & Bar in Brighton, Massachusetts.

The evening brought together leaders from financial services, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and other industries to share practical experiences with AI adoption. The conversation moved from examples of measurable business value to a challenge many organizations continue to face: making data accessible when the people responsible for AI outcomes don’t necessarily own or control it.

Real AI Wins, Real Business Value

When Boston executives were asked to share examples of AI delivering results in their organizations, there was no shortage of experiences to discuss.

Rather than focusing solely on experimentation, executives considered what it takes to translate successful initiatives into business outcomes that can be sustained and expanded.

Those examples set up a more difficult part of the conversation. Even when AI initiatives demonstrate value, the path to broader adoption isn’t always straightforward.

When the Data You Need Isn’t Yours to Control

The energy in the room shifted when executives turned to the challenges of working with data outside their direct control.

Data ownership, access, and organizational boundaries became central to the conversation.

For leaders responsible for delivering AI initiatives, these challenges can create friction even when the underlying technology is ready. An AI application may demonstrate value in one part of the business, but expanding it across the enterprise often requires cooperation among teams with different responsibilities for managing and providing access to data.

The executives’ experiences brought an important question into focus: How can organizations scale AI when access to the information it needs depends on navigating organizational boundaries?

That tension between technical capability and organizational readiness became one of the evening’s most memorable themes.

A Boston Community Willing to Share What’s Working and What’s Not

The evening gave Boston executives an opportunity to compare experiences with peers facing similar challenges across different organizations and industries.

Chris Tambos, Everpure Executive Advisor, Data & AI, reflected on the challenges leaders raised around data ownership and scaling AI:

“The Boston discussion highlighted an interesting divide: AI is already improving productivity, but broader enterprise adoption still runs into familiar problems – fragmented data, inconsistent information, and uncertainty around ownership and access. That’s where Everpure sees an important opportunity: helping organizations understand and make sense of their data so they can move from isolated AI wins to more scalable business outcomes.”

Beyond the business challenges, the evening was also an opportunity for leaders to speak openly about their experiences, including what was working and where they were encountering obstacles.

Corey Maxner, CDO Magazine Sr. Director of Community, reflected on the energy in the room:

“Hosting this intimate dinner for Boston’s Data and AI community allowed us to move past the hype and into the trenches. When prompted to share real-world AI wins, the room lit up with concrete examples of measurable ROI. However, the tone shifted dramatically when we asked about the friction of relying on data they don’t own. The consensus was clear: while the algorithms and infrastructure are ready, navigating the territorial roadblocks of data ownership remains a hurdle to scaling AI in the enterprise.”

Data, AI and Technology Leaders Who Joined the Boston Conversation:

• Ripan Barot, Siemens Sr. Director, Services Data & AI AMER
• Meghan Barrett Welch, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Chief Data Officer
• David Burton, DTCC Director, Solutions Architecture
• Veronika Durgin*, ELG VP, Data
• Ben Ganzfried, Hungryroot Senior Director, Data Platform & Governance
• Sravan Kasarla*, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Chief Data Officer
• Mukta Maheshwari, State Street Software Engineering and Development Assistant Vice President
• Hima Obbu, USAA Head of P&C Data, Analytics & AI
• Alok Ranjan, American Tower Director, Data Engineering
• Joseph Santos, Zoominfo Sr. Director, Data Advisory
• Tarun Sood*, American Century Investments Chief Data & AI Officer
• Prem Swaroop*, Dover Corporation Chief Data & AI Officer
• Jane Urban*, Improzo Chief Data and Analytics Officer
• Emir Biser, Everpure Consulting Field Solutions Architect, AI/Analytics
• Patricia Scupeliti, Everpure Director, America’s Commercial Marketing
• Chris Tambos, Everpure Executive Advisor, Data & AI
• Margaret Turano, Everpure Marketing Director, Healthcare and Life Sciences
• Corey Maxner, CDO Magazine Sr. Director of Community
• John Volupas, CDO Magazine Account Director

CDO Magazine thanks Everpure for supporting the Boston Executive Boardroom Dinner and helping bring local data and AI leaders together.

*Veronika Durgin, Sravan Kasarla, Tarun Sood, Prem Swaroop, and Jane Urban are CDO Magazine Global Board members.