CDO Magazine brought together leading data, analytics, and AI executives from the greater Chicago and Milwaukee area for its Chicago Leadership Dinner on June 18 at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks. Leaders exchanged insights and strategies around the theme “Associating Data & AI to Business Outcomes,” reflecting the growing pressure to demonstrate business value from AI and data initiatives. 

Discussions centered on how organizations are evaluating the return on investment in AI and data initiatives using both quantitative and qualitative measures. Participants shared success stories as well as challenges in demonstrating clear value and impact from AI efforts. The group also explored how executive education, organizational talent, culture, and technology maturity influence the achievement of meaningful outcomes.

CDO Magazine thanks the Co-Chairs of the upcoming CDO Magazine Chicago Leadership Summit for their outstanding leadership and commitment:

• Maribeth Achterberg, Boldt Company EVP & Chief Information Technology Officer
• Talal Butt, Generac EVP & Chief Information Officer
• Patrick Chew, AIT Worldwide Logistics VP, AI & Data Science 
• Meera Dugar, JPMC VP, Consumer & Community Banking;
• Sabry Loganathan, Peloton Interactive Strategy Advisor, AI & App Security
• Kujtim Ramadani, Farmers Insurance Principal Data & Analytics Leader

Loganathan describes the challenge of connecting data and AI to business outcomes in a metaphor: “Creating enterprise value with data and AI is an art. It’s easy to start with but difficult to master.”

Sharing her takeaways from the discussion, Achterberg says, “I learned that AI tools are pressing in on all industries to provide more and better capabilities. Long term, generative AI tools will force all industries to refocus the career path from entry level to senior level roles. AI model drift and/or hallucinations must be managed and these activities require a high level of data quality, governance and workforce capabilities.”

From a personal perspective, Chew says, “It was truly energizing to connect in person with Steve Wanamaker again, founder of CDO Magazine—a leader whose passion for data prudency and unselfish knowledge-sharing lights up every room he walks into. Steve’s unwavering commitment to building a community rooted in generosity, insights, networking, and shared experiences deeply resonates with me both professionally and personally.

“As a proud Co-Chair of the Chicago Executive Board community, I’m inspired to carry that torch forward championing the belief that data, especially now when supercharged by AI, isn’t just a business asset; it’s a catalyst for meaningful connection, learning, and transformation in all corners of life into lasting value and outcomes.”

Chew adds, “The event was a spark igniting this continual data sharing and networking movement. Grateful to Steve and everyone who showed up with energy, curiosity, and heart to keep this data flame burning bright. Let’s keep it going!” 

Echoing these sentiments, Dugar notes the collaborative spirit and diversity of perspectives evident from her experience at the event:

• An impressive group of Chicagoland technical leaders shared their firm’s varied AI-related stages of maturity.
• Great food, great vibe, generous sponsors, and an interactive cohort abuzz with ideas about cleansed data, quantum computing, newer AI products that have radicalized the security industry—so much to learn packed in so little time.
• My personal highlight of the evening was winning a best-selling book— – “100 Ways to Future- Proof Your Brain” and meeting the author Sarah Baldeo in-person! She is undoubtedly someone that leaves a lasting impression.

Anthony Losanno, CDO Magazine SVP, Sales, highlights, “CDO Magazine had a great night with the Chicago community discussing the impact, investment needs, and adoption of generative AI tools. It was great to hear from so many in varied industries around the challenges and opportunities that they are facing. As always, the community came together with data, AI, analytics, and security leaders networking, learning, and having a good time.”

Summing it up, lead sponsor Chris Demorotski, ThoughtSpot Senior Enterprise Account Executive, says, “AI’s promise is only as strong as the data foundation beneath it. Success hinges on clear executive buy-in, cross-functional alignment, and a willingness to invest in both technology and culture. When the C-suite leads with clarity, the organization can follow with purpose.”

Special thanks to ThoughtSpot, Coretek, Cyera, SnapLogic, and TigerGraph for their partnership in making the event a success.

Join us for the Chicago Leadership Summit on September 10. Explore the agenda and secure your spot today.

*Maribeth Achterberg, Talal Butt, Patrick Chew, and Meera Dugar are members of the CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board.

Executives attending the CDO Magazine Chicago Leadership Dinner included: 

Maribeth Achterberg, Boldt Company EVP & Chief Information Technology Officer; Michael Baker, Nielsen IQ Global Leader, Consumer Data Science; Sarah Baldeo, ID Quotient Advisory CEO; Dominic Bardele, CIBC Director, Automation & Applied AI; Talal Butt, Generac EVP & Chief Information Officer; Gary Cao, Chief Analytics Officer Advisory Principal Advisor; Patrick Chew, AIT Worldwide Logistics VP, AI & Data Science; Sarah Cook, i.c.stars Sponsorship & Events Manager; Larry Cowansi, i.c.stars Executive Director; Dan Cromer, Walker & Dunlop SVP, Product, Data; Karan Dhawal, Carnegie Mellon University Adjunct Faculty; Jennifer Dickey, Dykema Gossett PLLC Privacy & AI Attorney; Meera Dugar, JPMC VP, Consumer & Community Banking; Anusha Dwivedulai, Morningstar Director, Product, Analytics; Don Fleschut, Ryerson VP & Chief Data Officer; David Galinsky, Wendy’s Global Head, Digital Analytics; Preeti Gupta, International Association for Human Values Sr. Director, Data & Platform Engineering; Abhi Hansoti, Ecom CFO & COO; Matthew Hays, Dykema Gossett PLLC Partner; Dylani Herath, Thrivent Head, Data Platform & AI ML; Amanda Hogan, i.c.stars Director, Social Enterprise; Geetha Kagathi, TransUnion VP, Application Development; Sabry Loganathan, Peloton Director, AI & App Security; Gokula Mishra, former Direct Supply VP, Data Science; Rajib Nandi, Harris Associates Head, Investment Technology & Data Analytics; Kujtim Ramadani, Farmers Insurance Principal Data & Analytics Leader; Brad Rosenberg, Inland Group Director, Data Management; Heidi Rozmiarek, University of Wisconsin Madison Technology Practice Director; Kaitlyn Sawyer, Merrill Lynch Sr. Portfolio Advisor; Molly Shutt, CIBC Head, Data, Analytics & AI, US Region; Ramendra Singh, Horizon Media (Night Market) Chief Data Officer; Mark Soriano, Dykema Gossett PLLC CIO; Ravi Vemuri, Trimark EVP & Chief Data Analytics Officer; Chris Tambos, Fortune Brands Innovations VP, Data, Analytics & AI; Michelle Tisdale, former Omnicom Commerce Chief Data Analytics Officer; Michael Word, Dykema Gossett PLLC Director; Anthony Wong, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Research Scientist; Nicole Bahling ThoughtSpot Commercial Account Executive; John Carolan, Cyera Regional Vice President; Christopher Beachy, Coretek Digital Sales Executive; Adam Chetkowski; ThoughtSpot Regional Vice President West; Byron Couch, Coretek Sr. Client Executive; Chris Demorotski, ThoughtSpot Strategic Enterprise Account Executive; Jayson Ditmore, Cyera Regional Manager; Mike Eisenberg, Cyera Field CISO; Kevin Hollahan, ThoughtSpot Account Executive; Brian Kleinfelt, The Data Lodge Client Delivery & Program Director; Braden Looper, TigerGraph Manager, Rev. Operations; Mark McKenna, ThoughtSpot Account Executive; Jesse McMillin, TigerGraph Regional Sales Director; Doug Merill, SnapLogic Great Lakes Regional Lead; Aaron Rice, SnapLogic Account Executive; Anthony Losanno, CDO Magazine SVP, Sales; John Vulopas; CDO Magazine Account Director; Steve Wanamaker, CDO Magazine Founder & Publisher.