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 April 27, highlighted in this edition, we feature key leadership updates at Royal Bank of Canada, McDonald’s, and Lloyds Banking Group, alongside several other notable appointments recently spotlighted on CDO Magazine.

This week’s featured moves:

RGP: Jessica Block, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer

Global professional services firm RGP has appointed Jessica Block as Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer. Block, who brings 20 years of leadership from FTI Consulting and Ankura, will lead RGP’s internal AI implementation and client-facing solutions. Her role is centered on moving beyond tool adoption to foster human judgment and knowledge-sharing across the organization, ensuring AI is integrated responsibly and effectively.

Royal Bank of Canada: Angie Lamarsh, Vice President, Data & AI Strategy in Commercial Banking

Royal Bank of Canada has elevated Angie Lamarsh to Vice President, Data & AI Strategy for its Commercial Banking division. Lamarsh will lead a newly integrated team dedicated to building data products and AI solutions that unlock value for both clients and internal operations. Previously RBC’s Head of Sustainability, her move signals the bank’s commitment to delivering high-impact, data-driven outcomes in corporate finance.

McDonald’s: Mustafa Husain, U.S. Chief Information Officer

McDonald’s has appointed Mustafa Husain as Senior Vice President and U.S. Chief Information Officer, effective May 1. Husain succeeds Valerie Ashbaugh, who is departing after five years of leadership. Most recently serving as VP of Restaurant Technology Engineering, Husain is a seasoned veteran who has spearheaded global innovation in point-of-sale systems and AI-enabled crew solutions, positioning him to lead the next phase of the U.S. digital transformation.

Prudential Financial: Bob Bastian, Chief Data and AI Officer

Prudential Financial has promoted Bob Bastian to Chief Data and AI Officer. Bastian has spent nearly three decades at Prudential, most recently serving as CIO for Global Retirement and Insurance. In his new role, he is tasked with strengthening the company’s data foundation and scaling AI capabilities globally to improve risk management and customer outcomes.

Lloyds Banking Group: Sameer Gupta, Chief Data and AI Officer

Lloyds Banking Group has named Sameer Gupta as Chief Data and AI Officer, effective June. Joining from DBS Bank, where his AI transformation work became a Harvard Business School case study, Gupta will lead the next phase of Lloyds’ AI strategy. His focus will include enhancing customer experience and fraud prevention through the responsible and transparent scaling of AI technologies.

Johnson & Johnson: Ajit Menon, Chief Global Commercial Data, Digital and AI Officer

Johnson & Johnson has promoted Ajit Menon to Chief Global Commercial Data, Digital and AI Officer. A decade-long veteran of the company, Menon will now oversee the global strategy for data science and precision medicine. His expanded remit focuses on scaling generative and agentic AI applications to accelerate product launches and enhance J&J’s competitiveness in the digital health landscape.