Journey to CDOIQ

Richard Y. Wang is Director of the Chief Data Officer and Information Quality (CDOIQ) Program. He is a pioneer and leader in the research and practice of Chief Data Officer (CDO). Dr. Wang has significant credentials across government, industry, and academia. He conceived and chaired the Inaugural MIT-Army CDO Forum, and established the CDO Forum as an annual event at MIT. In addition, he has been chairing the Annual MIT CDOIQ Symposium since 2007. Dr. Wang was a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management for almost a decade. From 2005-2009, he was appointed as a Visiting University Professor of Information Quality, University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is an Honorary Professor at Xi'An Jiao Tong University, China.

Data and analytics thought leader who embodies an unparalleled fusion of multifaceted expertise and communication finesse, crafting an aura of innovation while commanding attention through a seamless blend of confidence, passion, and humility. He has been called “The Data Whisperer” by Toggle Magazine and is a data luminary who possesses a rare gift—an innate knack to distill complexity into palatable, accessible insights, painting a vivid picture that resonates with audiences.

His presentations effortlessly elucidate intricate technological concepts with a captivating, relatable charm and every presentation becomes a transformative experience, seamlessly navigating the labyrinth of cutting-edge technologies while anchoring ideas with real-world best practices. With an arsenal of anecdotes and metaphors, they bridge the gap between technical jargon and layman’s terms, fostering an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels empowered to comprehend the intricacies of data and AI innovation.

This technologist doesn’t just articulate trends; he shapes them. His visionary outlook pioneer’s future pathways, igniting curiosity and inspiring others to push the boundaries of possibility. His ability to simplify the complex without diluting its essence is a beacon in the industry, elevating discourse and fostering a culture of understanding, where technology becomes an accessible, empowering tool for all. He is the author of the "Abate Information Triangle" and the CDOIQ/ISCDO publications "First 90 Days as CDO" and "CDO Job Description".

He has been a data and analytics industry thought-leading CDAO and executive with over 40 years of experience (Walmart, Kimberly Clark, Polo Ralph Lauren) in data strategy, management, AI, governance, literacy, monetization, machine learning, business intelligence, data storytelling utilizing immersive visualizations including predictive & prescriptive analytics – everything data.

He completed a project for a healthcare provider building an immersive 3D visualization of COVID lockdowns and Diabetes that was used in the 2022 White House State of the Union Address and recently completed trusted advisory consulting to the NASA CDAIO.

A member of the board of the International Society of Chief Data Officers, a long-time contributor to the CDOIQ Symposium, and provided expertise to the United Nations as a data expert.

In 2023 and 2024 he received industry recognition by being named to the DataIQ 100 US Most Influential People in Data as an industry influencer.