(US and Canada) The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), has named Dr. Diane Schmidt as the agency’s first Chief Data Officer. GAO, known as the investigative arm of Congress, is an independent, non-partisan agency that supports Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities. GAO  works to improve the performance of the federal government and ensure its accountability to Americans.

“As GAO’s first Chief Data Officer, Schmidt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area of data management and data governance strategies,” says Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the GAO. “Her expertise in how data management can be used to drive digital innovation and reduce costs will add great value to GAO’s mission to improve the performance of the federal government.”

Throughout her 27-year data career, Schmidt successfully led significant culture changes for business operations and transformation programs at Freddie Mac, the U.S. Treasury, and most recently as the Corporate Chief Data Officer and Head of Enterprise Data Governance at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG).

Her experience setting up and managing a diverse global workforce and critical enterprise transformation programs are unique and powerful. Schmidt has led, driven, and implemented several enterprise programs that have renovated or replaced legacy systems and transformed important organizations into industry-recognized leaders. She holds a position on the CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board, showcasing her contributions to the field of data.