Community
CDO Magazine Hosts Inaugural Charlotte Dinner on AI-Driven Data Strategy
Written by: CDO Magazine Bureau
Updated 1:43 PM UTC, Fri May 23, 2025
CDO Magazine’s inaugural Executive Boardroom Dinner in Charlotte on May 20 brought together senior data, analytics, and AI leaders for an evening of connecting and collaboration on the topic of “Data Strategy Execution in the Age of AI.” The event featured a panel discussion where speakers assessed organizational readiness to align data initiatives with AI adoption, explored strategies for scaling AI adoption responsibly, and emphasized the importance of robust collaboration among data, technology, and business leaders.
The panel of experts were:
- Kristina Chambers, TTX Company Chief Data & Analytics Officer
- Jason Hancock, BioRewards Plasma Services Head, IT & Digital Operations
- Thomas Mazzaferro, Truist EVP, Chief Data AI & Analytics Officer
- David Workman, AHEAD Data & AI Practice Lead
The discussion was moderated by David Washo, AHEAD Managing Partner Strategy & Advisory Consulting.
Moderator David Washo, AHEAD Managing Partner Strategy & Advisory Consulting, and panelists Jason Hancock, BioRewards Plasma Services Head, IT & Digital Operations; Thomas Mazzaferro, Truist EVP, Chief Data AI & Analytics Officer; Kristina Chambers, TTX Company Chief Data & Analytics Officer; and David Workman, AHEAD Data & AI Practice Lead, explore “Data Strategy Execution in the Age of AI” at the CDO Magazine Charlotte Executive Boardroom Dinner May 20.
Reflecting on the evening, speaker Hancock says, “It was great to be part of the first CDO Magazine event held in Charlotte. I enjoyed being able to connect with great people from a variety of industries and diverse experiences. I look forward to seeing these community events continue and grow in the future!”
Mark Mullins, United Community Bank SVP, Chief Data Officer, echoes the sentiment saying, “What a great opportunity to gather with other senior data leaders in the Charlotte area across many different industries. I was encouraged by the openness to share by all the participants.”
Sharing his takeaways, Mullins says, “I drove away reminded by the panel to focus on partnerships with business leaders and their individual business strategies and outcomes – put them in control and enable their teams. Pay attention to user adoption of the solutions you are building, and most importantly, build strong partnerships with your CISO, CTO, and legal teams to ensure data protection and integrity remain paramount. And lastly, data culture is a real thing – cultivate it, protect it, and enlist others to drive corporate awareness on the strategic importance of data assets!”
According to Roger Hargreaves Kenyanya, Lowe’s VP, AI Strategy & Transformation, Governance, & Data Science, “The panel discussion was a valuable reminder that, while data and AI leaders can set the vision and enable the tech capabilities, it’s the business leaders who must take ownership for realizing the value.”
He adds, “The conversation also reinforced the importance of tracking leading indicators (like adoption, accuracy) early to build confidence in ROI and ensure organizations are on the right path to delivering tangible financial outcomes.”
Charlotte area data, analytics, and AI leaders gather to network and exchange insights and experience at the CDO Magazine Executive Boardroom Dinner, fostering new connections and candid conversations around data strategy and the evolving AI landscape.
Anthony Losanno, CDO Magazine SVP, Sales, highlights, “Our first dinner in Charlotte was a great success. CDO Magazine and AHEAD partnered to bring together local execs in data, AI, analytics, and security to talk about AI adoption, making the right investments with an eye always on ROI, and more. It’s great to see the Charlotte community launch, and we look to return to this great city in the near future.”
Summing up the evening, moderator Washo, says, “Insightful and meaningful dialogue around the importance of people, process, and culture to successfully adopt today’s leading technology and use of AI. Tools and technologies continue to be abundant, but it’s the clear mapping of enhanced capabilities to real business outcomes (revenue generation, cost savings, increased security posture) that continues to drive the most meaningful value to executives in the C-suite.”
Special thanks to AHEAD for making the CDO Magazine Executive Boardroom Dinner such a resounding success.
*Mark Mullins is a member of the CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board.
Executives attending the CDO Magazine Charlotte Executive Boardroom Dinner included:
Len Bartlett, Octapharma Plasma Director, Business Analytics; Kristina Chambers, TTX Company Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Crystal Combs, City of Charlotte I&T Assistant Director; Jason Hancock, BioRewards Plasma Services Head, IT & Digital Operations; Tyler Heaggans, Compass Group USA Director, Data Strategy; Roger Hargreaves Kenyanya, Lowe’s VP, AI Strategy & Transformation, Governance, & Data Science; Cindy Ledbetter, Wells Fargo VP, Lead Data Management Analyst; David Lindsey, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) VP, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer; Thomas Mazzaferro, Truist EVP, Chief Data AI & Analytics Officer; Mark Mullins, United Community Bank SVP, Chief Data Officer; Janet Donlevy Norton, Octapharma Plasma Sr. Manager, Data Engineering & IT Applications; Jared Raff, City of Charlotte Geographic Information Systems Supervisor; Sana Ramasamy, Barings Chief Data Officer; Eric Rui, GM Financial VP, Global Enterprise Data Architecture; Wes Furchner, AHEAD Client Director; Kara Kruk, BigID Director, Partner Management, East; Matt Steckel, AHEAD Managing Director, Mid Atlantic; David Washo, AHEAD Managing Partner Strategy & Advisory Consulting; David Workman, AHEAD Data & AI Practice Lead; Anthony Losanno, CDO Magazine SVP, Sales; Lisa Runkle, CDO Magazine Global Events Manager.
Related Stories
Stay updated on the latest trends
