CDO Magazine proudly presents the Top 25 Chicago Data & AI Leaders 2026, recognizing the executives leading high-impact data, analytics, and AI initiatives across some of the world’s most influential enterprises.

Chicago has always been a city where business gets built — from manufacturing and transportation to finance, healthcare, retail, food, and hospitality. Now, the same enterprise engine is powering a new era of data and AI leadership.

This year’s honorees reflect that shift. They are responsible for the strategies, platforms, governance models, analytics capabilities, AI programs, and data foundations that enable major organizations to compete, grow, protect trust, and operate at scale.

The 2026 list brings together leaders from healthcare and life sciences, financial services, manufacturing, retail and consumer products, transportation, hospitality, logistics, government, and professional services. Their titles span Chief AI Officer, Chief Data & AI Officer, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Global Head of AI, and senior executive roles leading enterprise data, analytics, AI, governance, risk, and technology modernization. 

“Chicago’s influence on the future of enterprise data and AI extends far beyond the region,” says Corey Maxner, CDO Magazine Sr. Director of Community & Operations. “The executives recognized in this year’s Top 25 are leading some of the most important data, analytics, governance, and AI initiatives in business. They are moving their organizations from experimentation to enterprise-scale execution while building the foundations for responsible and sustainable AI adoption.” 

The Top 25 Chicago Data & AI Leaders 2026 will be honored during an exclusive awards presentation and reception at the CDO Magazine Chicago Leadership Summit on September 17, at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown, where senior data, analytics, and AI executives will gather for peer connection and forward-looking conversations on the future of enterprise data and AI leadership.