CDO Magazine’s SoCal Executive Board Dinner on December 11 provided an intimate setting for senior executives to share perspectives, challenges, and solutions in navigating data innovation and leadership. The event featured a fireside chat with Manish Agarwal, Skechers VP of Data, Analytics & Insights, and Deepak Jose, Niagara Bottling VP & Head of Data Science & Business Intelligence.

Titled “Driving Data Innovation, Leadership, and Career Growth,” the discussion revealed actionable insights into leveraging AI, fostering data-driven cultures, and aligning data initiatives with overarching business goals. Beyond strategy, the dialogue also explored the personal journeys of these leaders, offering valuable lessons on career advancement in data and analytics.

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Sharing a key takeaway, speaker Agarwal says: “Being ‘data-driven’ is only meaningful when it leads to tangible business value. As leaders, our focus must be on translating data into actionable insights that address key challenges, foster growth, and deliver measurable outcomes. Technology and data are powerful enablers, but business value remains the ultimate objective.”

Reflecting his experience, speaker Jose says: “I was so excited to meet data and analytics thought leaders from diverse organizations like Skechers, JPMorgan Chase, Yelp, Disney, etc. talking about the future of AI.”

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Gregory Townsend, AltaMed Health Services SVP, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, says that CDO Magazine’s Southern California Dinner was a “fantastic opportunity to break bread with CDO leaders from various industries to discuss challenges and innovations, and further develop relationships with colleagues from all over the country.”

Sharing her take, Anja Dang, former Sony Pictures Entertainment SVP, Global Analytics, Data Science, Business Insights, says: “When data leaders gather with curiosity and purpose, they create more than business solutions — they build trusted communities where shared experiences inspire, partnerships flourish, and data transforms into real-world value.”

“Insights shared during a fireside chat at the CDO Magazine dinner reminded us that behind every distinguished data-driven career lies a narrative of resilience, growth, and impact. CDO Magazine’s unique platform fosters these meaningful connections, making collaboration among local leaders not just possible, but seamless and enduring,” Dang adds.

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Steve Bangsund, CDO Magazine Sr. Director, Programs, sums up the event, saying: “Our Southern California Executive Board Dinner was a memorable evening, with engaging conversations covering all aspects of AI and data. We honored our co-chairs with awards and also our premier sponsor partner, Immuta. A huge thank you to all of them for making this event special.”

Special thanks goes to Immuta, RSM, Incorta, ThoughtSpot, and TigerGraph for their partnership in making the event a success.

Manish Agarwal and Gregory Townsend are Co-Chairs of the SoCal Executive Board. Agarwal, Townsend, and Deepak Jose are members of the CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board.

Vaishnavi Aerabati, Herbalife Director, Data, Analytics & AI Enablement; Manish Agarwal, Skechers USA VP, Data, Analytics & Insights; Christi Anderson, Herbalife Director, AI Innovation & Change Management; Renee Bradford, Disney Executive Director, Data Governance Product; Anja Dang, former Sony Pictures Entertainment SVP, Global Analytics, Data Science, Business Insights; Zefa Hakim, Yelp Head, Products, Generative AI, ML, Monetization & Developer Platform; Deepak Jose, Niagara Bottling VP & Head, Data Science & Business Intelligence; Monica Kedzierski, Herbalife Global VP, Data, Analytics & AI; Tiffany Perkins-Munn, JPMorgan Chase Head, Data & Analytics for JPMorgan Chase’s Connected Commerce & Digital Payments; Gregory Townsend, AltaMed Health Services SVP/Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Robbie Beyer, RSM US Director, Data & AI; Jesus Cabanillas, Data Society Account Director; Victor Lee, TigerGraph Director, Technical Product Management; Ahmed Quadri, ThoughtSpot Chief Customer Officer; Jason Snook, Immuta Account Manager; Vince Temperino, Immuta Sr. Director, Sales; Ashwin Warrier, Incorta VP, Product; Steve Bangsund, CDO Magazine Sr. Director, Programs; Gerri Caveness, CDO Magazine Global Events Manager; Brian House, CDO Magazine Marketing Director, Mindy Mobley, CDO Magazine Global Event Director; Michael Parks, CDO Magazine Global Community Director; Steve Wanamaker, CDO Magazine Founder & Publisher; and Rachelle Webster, CDO Magazine Manager, Event Operations.