CDO Magazine is proud to present the Top 25 Ohio Data & AI Leaders 2026, honoring the executives shaping how some of the Midwest’s most influential organizations use data, analytics, and AI to deliver measurable business impact.

For decades, Ohio has been known as a center of operational excellence and industrial leadership. Today, that legacy is being redefined by data and AI. Across the state, organizations are embedding advanced analytics and intelligent technologies into the core of how they operate, compete, and serve customers.

From global manufacturers modernizing complex supply chains to healthcare systems advancing patient outcomes, the transformation is happening at enterprise scale. Major financial institutions are strengthening risk and fraud capabilities. Retail and consumer brands are deepening customer understanding. Universities and academic medical centers are driving research and innovation that extends far beyond the region. Together, these efforts reflect a powerful shift toward data-driven decision-making across Ohio’s economy.

The leaders recognized in the Top 25 Ohio Data & AI Leaders 2026 represent a broad cross-section of industries, including:

• Healthcare and insurance
• Banking and financial services
• Retail and consumer goods
• Aerospace and advanced manufacturing
• Industrial equipment and materials
• Energy and utilities
• Logistics and transportation
• Research and academia

Each honoree holds a senior leadership role responsible for enterprise data strategy, advanced analytics, AI, digital transformation, information technology, data governance, machine learning engineering, or large-scale technology modernization. Collectively, they exemplify the depth, resilience, and innovation that define the region’s enterprise technology and data landscape.

“These leaders are not only advancing their organizations but also strengthening Ohio’s reputation as a growing hub for enterprise data and AI innovation,” says Corey Maxner, Sr. Director of Community & Operations at CDO Magazine. “Their work demonstrates how data-driven leadership is creating real impact across industries and helping organizations build the foundations needed for the next era of AI.”

The Top 25 Ohio Data & AI Leaders will be celebrated during an exclusive Awards Presentation and Reception at the upcoming CDO Magazine Columbus Leadership Summit, on April 16, at the Renaissance Columbus Downtown, where senior data and AI executives will gather for peer-level connection and forward-looking conversations about the future of enterprise data leadership.