CDO Magazine brought together some of the nation’s leading data, analytics, and AI executives for an exclusive Roundtable Exchange at Joe’s Seafood in Las Vegas on August 5.

Attendees explored how organizations can balance innovation with effective governance while accelerating AI adoption. They exchanged practical insights on data strategy, responsible AI, talent development, and business value creation while forging cross-industry connections.

Sharing his take on the event’s content, Michael Puli, Applied Materials Head, Analytics, AI/ML, says, “The topics that were brought up were highly relevant to today’s challenges and opportunities, and the questions from both the moderators and attendees were on point. The conversations were practical, thought-provoking, and timely.”

A first time attendee at a CDO Magazine forum, Puli “thoroughly enjoyed” the experience. “I loved meeting fellow data and AI leaders and engaging in insightful discussions throughout the event,” he added.

Tali Rosenblum, New York Life VP, Executive Officer & Head, Enterprise Strategic Insights & Analytics, says, “CDO Magazine created a powerful forum for leaders to challenge conventional thinking and explore what’s truly possible with data and AI. I left energized and even more convinced: the future belongs to those who have the courage to reimagine it.”

Calling the roundtable “a fantastic event,” Morgan Jeffries, Geisinger Medical Director, AI, says, “It was super thoughtfully curated, with a great mix of people from across different industries, a fun but relaxed atmosphere, delicious food, and a stimulating discussion about some of the most important issues surrounding AI.”

According to Alaa Moussawi, New York City Council Chief Data Scientist, “It’s refreshing to share insights with a group that’s candid with one another and shares the kind of laughter and camaraderie you’d expect from lifelong friends.”

Serg Masis, Syngenta Principal AI Scientist, says, “Great conversations, candid hot takes, delicious food, and an impressive mix of data leaders from across industries. I really enjoyed the CDO Magazine Roundtable Exchange and the opportunity to hear perspectives shaped by such different organizations, sectors, and experiences.”

“It was a great mix of diverse industry leaders who shared their passion and wisdom in a fun and friendly way,” says Nitesh Soni, Sanofi Global Head, Data Science (Digital Commercial). “I certainly learnt something. In fact, I always enjoy small networking events where you have opportunities to engage more and to build stronger connections.”

Gerri Caveness, CDO Magazine Global Community Director, highlights, “Shoutout to the real MVPs of this private event…our executives!! One of the coolest moments of the night wasn’t on the agenda. It was watching leaders from our NYC and Toronto communities who traveled to Vegas for one of the conferences, and within minutes, they were swapping stories, making introductions, and welcoming new faces into the CDO Magazine family. Just executives swapping ideas, making introductions, and ensuring no one felt like a newcomer. That’s when you know you’ve built something different. I like to say that some rooms carry more weight than others. Our executives made sure Vegas was one of them.”

Chris Falloon, Dell Technologies Capital Sr. Director Portfolio Development, sums it up, “Each time we join CDO Magazine, I’m impressed at how they curate not just a high-caliber room of industry leaders, but a conversation that focuses on real problems, real solutions, and real experience. In a time where the signal-to-noise ratio is off the charts, meeting and sharing with industry peers is invaluable for us.”

Special thanks to Dell Technologies Capital, Tailscale, and Wisdom AI for their partnership in making the event a success.

*Alaa Moussawi is a member of the CDO Magazine Global Board. 

Executives attending the CDO Magazine Las Vegas Roundtable Exchange included: 

Marc Cagulangan, CSX Technical Director; Caroline Chung, MD Anderson Cancer Center VP & Chief Data & Analytics Officer; Brad Criqui, CBRE Investment Management Global Head, Engineering; Murad Dikeidek, University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Head, Cybersecurity; Reza Forghani, AdventHealth Chief Medical Information Officer; Joseph Glover, Akamai Director, Field Chief Technology Officer; Max Gokhman, Franklin Templeton Head, Artificial Intelligence & Digital Asset Solutions; Ankit Goyal, LinkedIn Principal Staff Software Engineer, AI Platform; Hoda Helmi, Corteva Agriscience Director, AI & Decision Science; Karthikeyan Ilangovan, MODE Global VP Data Analytics & AI/ML; Morgan Jeffries, Geisinger Medical Director, AI; Robert Jett, Bunge Global Chief Data Protection & Privacy Officer; Pradeep Karuturi, Instacart Machine Learning Engineer; Serg Masis, Syngenta Principal AI Scientist; Ian Moraes, Audible VP, Software Development; Alaa Moussawi, New York City Council Chief Data Scientist; Valeh Nabiyev, PASHA Holding Chief Data Officer; Kushal Pasari, United Airlines Director, AI Engineering; Kartik Pillai, Yum! Brands Director, Data Strategy, MDM, Data Governance; Michael Puli, Applied Materials Head, Analytics, AI/ML; Mark Ritzmann, Columbia University Faculty in AI & ML, Co-Director, SPS AI Lab, Associate Dean; Tali Rosenblum, New York Life VP, Executive Officer & Head, Enterprise Strategic Insights & Analytics; Saima Shafiq, US Bank SVP & Head, AI Enablement; Nitesh Soni, Sanofi Global Head, Data Science (Digital Commercial); Tarun Sood, American Century Investments Chief Data Officer; Arjun Srinivasan, WWEX Group SVP, AI & Data Science; Sanchit Srivastava, General Mills Sr. Manager, Data Analytics; Garence Staraci, Wellington Management Managing Director; Sheema Usmani, State Street VP, Wealth Services R&D; Alejandro Villacis, FCP Euro VP, Customer Experience; Ron Whitworth, Truist Chief Privacy Officer; Justin Woody, Twine Security Co-Founder; Chris Falloon, Dell Technologies Capital Sr. Director Portfolio Development; Nick Graham, Tailscale Manager, Enterprise Sales; Travis Perkins, Tailscale VP Global Customer Advocacy; Paul O’Rourke, WisdomAI Chief Revenue Officer; Alex Torti, WisdomAI Field Enterprise Sales Director – East; Gerri Caveness, CDO Magazine Global Community Director; Doug Llewellyn, Data Society Group Chief Executive Officer; Anthony Losanno, CDO Magazine Managing Director.