For many enterprises, the challenge is no longer experimenting with AI, but turning promising pilots into lasting business value. That reality set the stage for a candid discussion among senior data, AI, analytics, and security executives at CDO Magazine’s Executive Boardroom Dinner on June 16 at Carlo & Johnny in Cincinnati.

The evening featured a panel discussion on “From Pilot Graveyards to Production AI: Why Most Enterprise AI Initiatives Fail—and How to Fix Them,” exploring what it truly takes to turn AI promise into business impact.

The speakers talked about the challenges organizations are facing today turning AI enthusiasm into real-world results. Leaders shared from their own experience why promising pilots often stall before reaching production and what it takes to bridge that gap. 

The panel of experts were:

• Ashley Brinegar, Beehive Industries Chief Digital Officer
• Dilip Kamath, Total Quality Logistics VP, Data & Analytics
• Bhavna Mehta, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center AVP, Data & Analytics

The discussion was moderated by Ernest Solomon, Pythian Field CTO.

“One of the greatest benefits of gathering with industry peers is the opportunity to learn faster together,” says speaker Mehta. “The conversations at the CDO Magazine Executive Dinner were energizing—focused not just on successes, but on the lessons, experiments, and challenges we’re all navigating as we advance data, analytics, and AI. Thank you to CDO Magazine for creating a forum that fosters meaningful connection and shared learning.”

Panelist Brinegar agrees that the need for a community of peers is a must have. She says, “The challenges of data professionals still persist whether the role is titled Data, Data & Analytics, Digital or AI. 

From her observations, she continues, “You cannot fight physics. AI doesn’t magically generate outcomes if the underlying data isn’t accurate. However, AI can be used to expose data gaps faster and highlight how poor inputs generate even poorer outcomes. Don’t underestimate how small wins to an individual or small groups can create momentum for the larger goals. It’s ok to have a ‘defensive posture’ when building digital and AI solutions. This helps focus on building a product instead of swirling in POC land forever.

“In my opinion and experience,” Brinegar points out, “the unlock is creating an org structure that reports directly to the business with process excellence components embedded directly with the team. We are serving the business at the speed of the business, in the language of the business.”

Panel speaker Kamath outlines takeaways he shared in the discussion:

• AI creates value when it solves a real business problem, measured by clear KPIs, and is embedded in workflows, not when it starts as a technology-first exercise. A strong problem statement is essential.
• The teams making the most progress start with the right foundation, supported by an operating model that brings together data, governance, ownership, and how the work gets done
• Practical data quality improvements matter immensely. We must keep raising the floor while we reach for the ceiling. Building skyscrapers on a swamp is still a fair description of the data challenge.
• As AI becomes more embedded, the real advantage will come from using it to scale human judgment and institutional knowledge, not to replace it.

According to Marc Cordray, First Financial Bank Sr. Director, Strategic Business Technology, “The pace of change across data and AI is unprecedented, and our discussions reinforced the challenges today’s leaders are navigating. AI capabilities are evolving rapidly, but realizing business value still depends on strong data quality, well-documented processes, and effectively moving from proof of concept to production.”

Cordray adds, “Exchanging ideas and real-world lessons with peers is invaluable as I continue shaping my own strategy, and I’m grateful to CDO Magazine for facilitating these discussions.”

Jenna George, CDO Magazine Community Director, highlights, ”We had a great turnout in Cincinnati. I was able to meet several ‘new to me’ loyal execs and am so excited to continue to provide such opportunities for our CDO Magazine flagship community.”

Summing it up, moderator Solomon says, “Gathering 25 C-suite leaders alongside three phenomenal panelists for a deep dive into Data and AI yielded insights that were nothing short of exceptional. In a technology landscape where change is the only constant, our discussion made one thing abundantly clear: the ultimate metric of success isn’t innovation for its own sake—it’s delivering an intelligent, data-driven, digitally rich experience that is completely seamless for both customers and employees.”

Special thanks to Pythian for making the CDO Magazine Cincinnati Executive Boardroom Dinner such a success.

*Bhavna Mehta and Marc Cordray are members of the CDO Magazine Global Board. 

Executives attending the CDO Magazine Cincinnati Executive Boardroom Dinner included: 

Gladson Baby, Fifth Third Bank VP, Director, Data & AI Enablement, Intelligent Automation & System Integration; Ashley Brinegar, Beehive Industries Chief Digital Officer; Marc Cordray, First Financial Bank Sr. Director, Strategic Business Technology; Shannon Culp, ADM Director, Security Governance, Awareness, Compliance & Controls Assurance; Thomas Dager, ADM VP, Chief Information Security Officer; Adel Elmaghraby, University of Louisville Director, Research & Innovation, Digital Transformation; Mufaddal Frosh, TriHealth Director, Data Solutions Center; Douglas Fuller, TriHealth VP, Data & Analytics; Matt Godsted, Kroger Technology & Digital Cybersecurity Strategy Architect; Eddie Hamann, Dannis Chief Information Officer; Dilip Kamath, Total Quality Logistics VP, Data & Analytics; Rajesh Kapoor, Enerfab VP, Information Technology; Matt King, Belcan Chief Security & Data Officer; Gaurav Mantro, Fortive Data Science & AI Leader; James McIntyre, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Chief Information Officer; Bhavna Mehta, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center AVP, Data & Analytics; Ajaz Mohammad, University of Cincinnati Director, Data & Analytics; Biplab Mukherjee, GE Aerospace Director, Data Technology & Analytics; Michael Payne, Mercer Head, AI, Data & Analytics Engineering; Bharath Prabhakaran, University of Cincinnati VP & Chief Digital Officer; Josette Riep, University of Cincinnati Associate Vice President; Shubha Sampath, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati Chief Data Officer & VP; Ameera Saqr, Bon Secours Mercy Health System Director, Revenue Applications; Sona Srinivasan, UC Health Program Manager; Michael Bray, Pythian SVP, Worldwide Sales; Lindsay Dubin, Pythian VP, Sales; Jonathan Mohoney, Pythian Enterprise Account Executive; Ernest Solomon, Pythian Field Chief Technology Officer; Jenna George, CDO Magazine Community Director; and Camille Prado, CDO Magazine Global Editor.