(US & Canada) Latha Subramanian, SVP, Head of Data Engineering and Analytics at GM Financial, speaks with Amy McNee, SVP Solutions Architecture and Technical GTM at Informatica, in a video interview about considerations for generative AI (GenAI) adoption, and key factors for a CDO’s success.

Subramanian stresses the need for organizations to approach GenAI adoption thoughtfully, cautioning against following trends simply because others are doing so. She highlights that a critical first step is modernizing data infrastructure by migrating to the cloud and building scalable, extensible architectures. This foundational work ensures GenAI tools can operate effectively.

She underscores the often-overlooked importance of establishing a robust business glossary to create a single, accurate source of truth for data. Without this, deploying GenAI risks producing unreliable insights, as poor data quality leads to flawed predictions and outcomes. Subramanian says that it is necessary to embed a strong data governance framework into GenAI initiatives to avoid common pitfalls, such as using outdated technologies or lacking clarity on data definitions, which often lead to failed projects.

To ensure meaningful results, organizations must prioritize business-oriented metrics over purely technical ones. Additionally, setting up a well-defined governance structure is essential, with an executive committee—including board representation—and a subcommittee to guide decisions and oversee the organization’s data assets. This approach helps align GenAI outputs with global business goals and supports informed decision-making at every level.

Speaking of vital success factors for those in or aspiring to the Chief Data Officer role, Subramanian emphasizes two key paths. For current CDOs, she highlights the critical importance of staying closely aligned with business priorities, as the role fundamentally exists to support decision-making for the organization. Building strong relationships across all levels of the company and earning trust from the C-suite is vital to being an effective advisor and leader.

For those aspiring to step into the role, Subramanian advises focusing on personal branding. Beyond being recognized for their corporate affiliations, aspiring CDOs should establish themselves as thought leaders within their industry, building a reputation as the go-to expert on specific topics.

She also underscores the value of creating a strong professional network and cultivating brand ambassadors—trusted connections who will advocate for their expertise and leadership, even in their absence. This approach, she notes, is essential in the interconnected and relatively small world of the technology and data industry.

CDO Magazine appreciates Latha Subramanian for sharing her insights with our global community.

Be Willing to Take Calculated Risks Along Your Career Path — GM Financial Head of Data Engineering and Analytics