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Dallas Execs Explore Supercharging AI with Graph Database at CDO Magazine Dinner
Written by: CDO Magazine Bureau
Updated 2:18 PM UTC, Wed May 14, 2025
Data, AI, and analytics leaders from across Dallas convened at the CDO Magazine Executive Boardroom Dinner on May 6 to engage in insightful conversations around the transformative role of graph database in enterprise AI. The evening highlighted how graph technology is driving innovation by enhancing data connectivity, accelerating decision-making, and improving AI-driven outcomes.
Central to the event was a panel discussion on “Supercharging AI Systems With Innovative Graph Database,” which explored how graph technology can enhance AI capabilities, drive deeper insights, and enable more efficient data relationships across enterprise systems.
The panel of experts were:
- Aamer Charania, Best Buy Global Head of Applied Machine Learning
- Saba Dossani, Comerica Bank Chief Data & Analytics Officer
- Thrushna Matharasi, Solera Holdings Director of Engineering, Data & AI/ML
The discussion was moderated by Jesse McMillin, TigerGraph Regional Sales Director.
Moderator Jesse McMillin, TigerGraph Regional Sales Director, poses questions on “Supercharging AI Systems with Innovative Graph Database” to expert panelists Aamer Charania, Best Buy Global Head, Applied Machine Learning; Saba Dossani, Comerica Bank Chief Data & Analytics Officer; and Thrushna Matharasi, Solera Holdings Director, Engineering, Data & AI/ML.
According to speaker Charania, “Graph database has come a long way. While it’s not possible to have a golden rule on where to use graph database vs. relational or NoSQL, the core principles still apply: Given your data and consumption goal, use the technique that lets you best capture and retrieve info for your specific use case. Or simply said, ‘Use the right tool for the job.’”
From her industry experience, speaker Matharasi says,“I shared how our AI-driven approach to fleet management connects vehicle data with operational context—transforming maintenance from reactive repairs to proactive optimization that extends asset lifecycles and creates competitive advantage through intelligent data relationships.”
Speaker Dossani believes such thought-provoking discussions are invaluable as they put a different light to similar challenges. She says, “It was great to see the panel discussion turning into a very healthy, and thoughtful debate on the role of traditional data engineering concepts and their applicability to modern AI products.”
Thrushna Matharasi, Solera Holdings Director, Engineering, Data & AI/ML; Aamer Charania, Best Buy Global Head, Applied Machine Learning; Hari Kodakalla, Frost Head, Data & Analytics; and Sangeeta Nayak, former Globe Life Sr. Director, Head, Customer Portfolio, Data, Analytics, AI.
Vino Kingston, Lockheed Martin Data & AI Transformation Strategy & Integration Leader, adds, “The evening hosted by CDO Magazine sparked insightful conversations around how graph technology is fast becoming essential to modern AI architectures. It was clear from the dialogue that in a well-designed stack, graph complements vector search and RAG—an insight echoed by many peers in the room.”
Anthony Losanno, SVP, Sales, highlights, “Data, AI, and analytics leaders joined us for a panel discussion around the power of AI and graph databases for fraud detection, customer analysis, and more. Panelists from Best Buy, Comerica Bank, and Solera Holdings demonstrated the possibilities across different industries.”
Summing it up, moderator McMillin, says, “The Dallas dinner was a powerful exchange of ideas. It was inspiring to be in a room with so many knowledgeable data leaders, all grappling with similar challenges and exploring innovative solutions.”
Special thanks to TigerGraph for their partnership in making the event a success.
Executives attending the Dallas CDO Magazine Executive Boardroom Dinner included:
Shuchi Agrawal, Citi Chief Data Officer, Global Head, Data Tooling Adoption, Automation & Data Provisioning; Ian Allison, Ivanti Head, Data; Mark Austin, AT&T VP, Data Science; David Burton, The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) Director, Solutions Architecture; Aamer Charania, Best Buy Global Head, Applied Machine Learning; Saba Dossani, Comerica Bank Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Shveta Garg, Truist SVP, Enterprise Data Sr. Manager, Retail & Digital; Karthikeyan Ilangovan, MODE Global VP, Data & Analytics; Murali Kallem, Salesforce Head, Data Platform; Livia Kessler, Bon Secours Mercy Health Head, Analytics Delivery; Vino Kingston, Lockheed Martin AI Transformation Strategy & Integration Leader; Hari Kodakalla, Frost Head, Data & Analytics; Biswajit Mahapatra, Texas Capital Bank Director, Data Platform; Thrushna Matharasi, Solera Holdings Director, Engineering, Data & AI/ML; Sangeeta Nayak, former Globe Life Sr. Director, Head, Customer Portfolio, Data, Analytics, AI; Darren Pedroza, Teradyne Head, Enterprise Architecture & Data; Hemal Shah, Southwest Airlines Sr. Technology Manager; Paige Leidig, TigerGraph Chief Marketing Officer; Lisa McKenna, TigerGraph VP, Americas; Jesse McMillin, TigerGraph Regional Sales Director; Rajeev Shrivastava, TigerGraph CEO; Alex Ullman, TigerGraph Director, Enterprise Sales; Nicolas Vergara, TigerGraph Account Executive; Jenna George, CDO Magazine Program Director; Anthony Losanno, CDO Magazine SVP, Sales.
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