Leadership Moves
Written by: Aster Bancod, Executive Communications, CDO Magazine
Updated 8:30 AM EDT, July 31, 2026

Each week, CDO Magazine curates a high-level overview of executive appointments and leadership transitions shaping the global data, AI, and analytics ecosystem. This roundup offers a quick-read snapshot of how leadership talent is transitioning across organizations as they evolve data and AI strategies to support digital transformation, data management, enterprise innovation, security, and AI-driven decision-making.
This briefing tracks leadership movements involving Chief Data Officers, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers, Chief Data and Analytics Officers, Chief Information Officers, Chief Information Security Officers, and senior executives responsible for data, analytics, security, and digital strategy across industries.
For the week of July 27, highlighted in this edition, we feature key leadership updates at Edwards Lifesciences, The Coca-Cola Company, and IRIS Software Group, alongside several other notable appointments recently spotlighted on CDO Magazine.

IRIS Software Group has appointed Surya Sagi as its first Chief Data and AI Officer to lead its global data strategy, responsible AI framework, and enterprise governance. Sagi, a 30-year veteran who previously served as CTO at Pitney Bowes and founder of ARKA AI, will focus on advancing AI capabilities to drive product innovation, customer retention, and measurable business outcomes.

M&T Bank has named Sonney Singh Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Commercial Banking. Singh joins M&T Bank following a 23-year career at HSBC, where he most recently served as Head of US and Canada CIB and Core Banking. In his new role, he will oversee technology strategy and execution across the commercial banking business.

The Coca-Cola Company has appointed Sachin Vaya as Vice President, Data – North America. Vaya transitions to Coca-Cola after more than eight years at Nike, where he served as Senior Director, North America Data & AI. He will lead efforts to leverage advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to enable faster, data-driven decision-making across the region.

The United States Department of War has appointed CDO Magazine Global Board member Richard Patterson as Division Chief – Data Acquisition and Management within the Office of the Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Patterson, who previously served as CDAO for the State Department’s Comptroller Bureau, will lead financial data management for Advana as it expands into the broader War Data Platform to ensure data is audit-ready and AI-ready.

Edwards Lifesciences has appointed Parminder Bhatia as Senior Vice President, AI. Bhatia joins the medical technology firm from GE HealthCare, where he served as Chief AI Officer leading foundational models and generative AI strategies. In his new position, he will steer enterprise AI capabilities, governance frameworks, and operational models to accelerate innovation and improve patient outcomes.