CDO Magazine’s 4th annual Columbus Leadership Summit, held on November 5 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus, assembled the region’s senior leaders in data, analytics, AI, technology and security for a day of dynamic, impact-driven discussions on the theme “Data, AI and Security — Turning the Hype into Business Value.”

With over 200 participants and more than 50 distinguished speakers, the Summit offered a robust agenda featuring keynote presentations, panel discussions, and focus group sessions. CDO Magazine also hosted an awards reception honoring the 2025 Top 25 Columbus Innovation Leaders, spotlighting CIOs, CISOs, and data, analytics, & AI executives who are redefining the role of technology in driving growth and resilience.

Executives participating in the Summit represented a broad spectrum of industries — from energy and utilities, financial services, healthcare, and higher education to consumer brands, manufacturing, scientific research, and industrial automation — all sharing insights, raising thought-provoking questions, and exchanging ideas. The result was a truly collaborative, high-energy event that reflected the growing momentum of the data and technology community around Columbus.

Three keynote sessions stood out:

• Robotics & AI- Reshaping the Factory Floor & Our Lives: John Weiler, Boston Dynamics Sr. Manager, Industrial Applications
• Redefining Enterprise Leadership- How AI, Data, Risk & Cyber Are Converging to Shape the Future: Thomas Mazzaferro, Cyera Chief Data Officer
• Kickstart your 2026 AI Agenda: Jasmine de Gaia, Wells Fargo Managing Director, Chief Data Office; Ibrahim Itani, Marathon Petroleum Corporation Head, Analytics & Innovation; and Shannon Terry, Nationwide Chief Advanced Analytics Officer.

CDO Magazine thanks the host city Co-chairs of the Columbus Leadership Summit for their leadership:

• Tonjia Coverdale, City of Dayton Data Architect
• Sean Erikson, Grange Insurance VP, Architecture & IT Strategy
• Anthony Fisic, Battelle Chief Information Security Officer
• Brett Hudspeth, Humana VP, Segment CIO, Medicare & Medicaid
• Tom Marlow, Liberty Mutual VP, Global Data & Analytics
• Mark Marshalek, Farmers Insurance Head, Data Solutions
• Scott McNeal, CAS Director, Content Technology
• Scott Peachey, Huntington Bank SVP & Segment Data Officer
• Colleen Saunders-Chukwu, Nationwide AVP, Technology, Data & Analytics
• Orlando Sprockel, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Sr. Director, IT

Reflecting on the event, keynote speaker Itani says, “The CDO Magazine Summit in Columbus was a powerful reminder of how essential it is for data leaders to unite across industries sharing insights, lessons learned, and practical strategies while maintaining a strong culture of trust and confidentiality. Events like these not only accelerate industry innovation but also foster a collaborative spirit that benefits everyone working to harness the true value of data.”

Keynote speaker Weiler was “grateful to have been part of the Summit,” and says it was “filled with insightful conversations with forward-thinking leaders across multiple industries all in one place.” He adds, “Sharing experiences around robotics and AI with Columbus leaders drives innovation, and bringing Spot to the event allows for those attending to see and experience robotics and AI up close and personal.”

Weiler elaborates with his takeaways:

• The technical tracks focused on critical topics spanning from digital transformation to cultural transformation bridging gaps between senior leaders.
• AI, data, and security are top of mind in almost every digital transformation conversation we’re in — it was great to connect directly with leaders in this space.

Amy Geiger, Truist Financial Chief Security Officer, says, “The Columbus Leadership Summit was a powerful reminder of how data, AI, and security are no longer siloed disciplines—they’re converging in ways that are reshaping how we lead and innovate. 

“It was energizing to connect with peers and exchange perspectives on navigating this intersection, especially as we explore how to harness AI and Agentic technologies to drive meaningful business outcomes. The closing keynote was a standout, offering timely insights on leading through the AI change curve. Grateful to CDO Magazine for creating space for these critical conversations,” she adds.

Similarly, Ursula Cottone, Huntington Bank Chief Data & Architecture Officer, highlights, “The Columbus Leadership Summit reinforced the power of collaboration and forward-thinking leadership. Connecting with industry peers and exploring innovative ideas was truly energizing and reminds me why continuous learning is essential for driving meaningful change.”

According to Tracie Cleveland Thomas, KeyBank SVP, Next Gen Enterprise Transformation Executive, innovation happens at the intersection of people, process, and possibility. She says, “It takes courage to transform, collaboration to sustain it, and leadership to ensure it creates real value. The CDO Magazine Leadership Summit reinforced the power of aligning strategy, technologies such as data, AI, and cybersecurity, and most importantly, talent. These elements must come together to shape what’s next, not just for our organizations, but for our communities, especially right here in Central Ohio.”

Drew Smith, OhioHealth Chief Data & Analytics Officer, reflects on the Summit, “There was a tremendous advantage to this event being local. It’s easier to follow up on conversations and build deeper relationships.”

Smith also shares his key takeaways: 

• Balancing AI speed with governance: Generative AI is evolving rapidly, but data governance remains a slow-moving foundation. There’s an inherent tension here—and vendor partnerships may hold clues for how to modernize governance in step with AI’s pace.
• Raising ambition: Seeing companies replace parts of their procurement tech stacks with generative AI reminded me to think bigger and not let day-to-day routines limit innovation.
• Practical takeaways: From strengthening learning agendas to using hackathons for real business backlogs and spending time with key AI vendors—these ideas offered tangible ways to accelerate progress and rethink collaboration.

Describing his participation as a “phenomenal experience,” Co-chair Hudspeth says, “The summits are always a great opportunity to network, reconnect with old friends and colleagues and make new connections, and this one was no exception.” 

Beyond the networking, the panel discussions and speakers provided great insights for Hudspeth: “I focused mostly on attending sessions on real-world usage of AI from multiple different industries and was able to pick up a number of perspectives I hadn’t considered before. I’m excited to see how I can use these learnings in my own work, and of course excited to be back next year,” he adds.

According to Charles Bankston, NiSource SVP & Chief Information Officer, “The Columbus Leadership Summit created a space for leaders to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore what’s next in data and technology. It’s energizing to be part of a community that’s shaping the future through innovation and collaboration.”

Co-chair Marshalek describes the Columbus Leadership Summit as “another example of a well-organized, energizing, content-rich day, mixed with the perfect amount of networking.” He says, “Every time I participate, I am impressed with the way the Summit is run as well as the quality of attendees. I would recommend this to anyone that wants to stay on top of data trends or meet experts in this space.”

As the event host, Lisa Runkle, CDO Magazine Global Event Manager, highlights, “The Columbus Leadership Summit was incredible — such a great turnout and even better energy. I’m so grateful for this community and how much everyone loves being part of it!”

Sharing his perspective, keynote speaker Mazzaferro, says, “In the agentic AI era, the velocity of data, AI, and cyber risk demands automation at the core of governance, not as a tool, but as an operating principle. The organizations that architect intelligent control systems today will define the trust and resilience standards of tomorrow.”

Special thanks to Cyera, Cohesity, Datavid, Acceldata, Alation, Centric, OneTrust, Starburst, Buckeye DAMA, EazyDi, Enlivened Tech, NetScout, NinjaOne, Proline Technology Verkada, Revefi, TrustLogix, and Varonis Kiteworks for making this event a success.

*Tonjia Coverdale, Tom Marlow, Mark Marshalek and Drew Smith are members of the CDO Magazine Global Board.

Executives speaking at the CDO Magazine Columbus Leadership Summit included:

Charles Bankston, NiSource SVP & Chief Information Officer; Steve Bartos, The Worthington Steel Company VP, Digital Transformation, AI & Data Analytics; Scot Burdette, ABB Global Division CIO; Susan Carroll-Boser, White Castle CIO; Ursula Cottone, Huntington Bank Chief Data & Architecture Officer; Tonjia Coverdale, City of Dayton Data Architect; Jasmine de Gaia, Wells Fargo Managing Director, Chief Data Officer; Scott Dennull, Grant Thornton International Director, Core IT Operations & Support; Sean Erikson, Grange Insurance VP, Architecture & IT Strategy; Michael Farrar, City of Westerville CIO; Junell Felsburg, The Columbus Foundation Sr. Director, Cyber Security & Infrastructure; Anthony Fisic, Battelle CISO; Jim Freeman, USAA Executive Director, P&C Data & Analytics; Stephanie Globus, Vertiv Director, Sales Data & Analytics; Suman Gummudala, Ashland SAP SCM Specialist; Brett Hudspeth, Humana VP, Segment CIO, Medicare & Medicaid; Ibrahim Itani, Marathon Petroleum Corporation Head, Analytics & Innovation; Dinesh Kumar, Centria Healthcare VP, BI & Data Analytics; Brian Mannion, Northwest Bank Director, Data Privacy; Kelly Marlow, Nationwide AVP, Workplace, Legal & Marketing Technology; Tom Marlow, Liberty Mutual VP, Global Data & Analytics; Mark Marshalek, Farmers Insurance Head, Data Solutions; Scott McNeal, CAS Director, Content Technology; Gokula Mishra, former Direct Supply VP, Data Science & AI/ML; Narendra Narukulla, JPMorganChase VP, Quant Analytics Manager; Misty Newsome, Battelle Sr. Manager, Security Governance; Scott Peachey, Huntington Bank SVP & Segment Data Officer; Andrew Preston, Liberty Mutual Sr. Director, Data Strategy; Uthra Ramanujam, Liberty Mutual Sr. Director, Data Science; Dr. Michael C. Redmond, former Louisville Metro Government CISO; Colleen Saunders-Chukwu, Nationwide AVP, Technology, Data & Analytics; Tina Sebert, Bread Financial Sr. Director, Data Science; Brian Shea, MedOne Healthcare Partners CIO; Abhishek Singh, Cardinal Health Director, Applied AI; Corwin Smith, Wallick Communities Director, Business Intelligence & Analytics; Drew Smith, OhioHealth Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Orlando Sprockel, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Sr. Director, IT; Brad Stokes, TriplePoint MEP VP, Information Technology; Shannon Terry, Nationwide Chief Advanced Analytics Officer; Jenni Wheeler, Cardinal Health VP, Data Office; Travis Wiltshire, Nationwide Insurance AVP, Tech Data Management; John Weiler, Boston Dynamics Sr. Manager, Industrial Applications; Justin Windle, First Citizens Bank Head, Data Oversight; Ashok Gunasekaran, Acceldata SVP, Customer Success; Nick Haithcock, Alation Regional Sales Director;; Thomas Mazzaferro, Cyera Chief Data Officer; Joseph Ours, Centric Consulting Director; Tim Padilla, Datavid VP, Sales & Consulting, North America; Sam Tawfik, OneTrust Product Marketing Leader; Anthony Losanno, CDO Magazine SVP, Sales; Camille Prado, CDO Magazine Global Editor; and Lisa Runkle, CDO Magazine Global Event Manager.