Learn from Recognized Industry Experts

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.

Dr. Mark Ramsey is a globally recognized expert in data analytics and optimization, with over 30 years of experience designing, developing, and implementing large-scale, production data analytics platforms. Mark is currently the Managing Partner of Ramsey International, providing solutions and services to organizations seeking to unlock the full potential of their data assets. Mark has a strong track record of success in this field, having served as the first R&D Chief Data & Analytics Officer for GlaxoSmithKline, where he designed and implemented the R&D Information Platform (RDIP) as a key component of the company's data strategy. He was also the first Chief Data Officer (CDO) for Samsung Telecommunications America and played a critical role in leading the development of large-scale data analytics solutions. In addition, Mark led the growth strategy, development, and launch of the IBM Business Analytics & Optimization business, which spanned over 150 countries with over 2,000 consultants. During his tenure, the annual revenues of the business exceeded $1 billion, achieved a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and established itself as a leading provider of data analytics solutions in the industry. Mark is an inventor of 28 patents and numerous patent-pending filings in the area of data analytics and optimization, including the patent on the integration of data mining within a parallel relational database and the use of advanced analytics for user behavior monitoring. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Computer Science, a Master’s degree in Computer & Information Security, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Mark’s extensive experience, technical skills, and innovative thinking make him a highly sought-after advisor in the data analytics space.

John R. Talburt, PhD, IQCP, CDMP, is the Acxiom Chair of Information Quality and Director of the Information Quality Graduate Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Previously, he led the Data Research and Development group for Acxiom Corporation where he implemented their Total Data Quality Management program. He is a member of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in data quality, and Lead Data Governance Consultant for Noetic Partners. He is an inventor for several patents related to customer data integration and the author of numerous research papers on information quality and entity resolution. His books include "Entity Information Life Cycle for Big Data: Master Data Management and Information Integration" (Morgan Kaufmann, 2015), "Entity Resolution and Information Quality" (Morgan Kaufmann, 2011), "Data Engineering: Mining, Information and Intelligence" (Springer, 2010), and "Information Quality and Governance for Business Intelligence" (IGI Global, 2014).

An internationally respected expert, Danette McGilvray is known for her Ten Steps™ approach, used by multiple industries as a proven method for increasing the value of data through quality and governance. It applies to operational processes and focused initiatives such as security, analytics, digital transformation, and AI. Her book, Executing Data Quality Projects: Ten Steps to Quality Data and Trusted Information™ (Morgan Kaufmann/Elsevier), is used worldwide. Danette has worked with organizations across many industries and countries to help them understand and improve their data and the processes that create and use that data. She has been a speaker at numerous conferences and events, including the MIT CDOIQ Symposium.

Doug Laney is an internationally recognized data and analytics strategy analyst, advisor, and author. He coined the term "Big Data" in 2001 and developed the concept of "infonomics" — the theory, study, and practice of treating information as an actual corporate asset. His book Infonomics: How to Monetize, Manage, and Measure Information as an Asset for Competitive Advantage (Bibliomotion/Routledge, 2018) is widely used in data strategy programs. Doug is an Innovation Fellow at West Monroe and an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business. He has advised hundreds of organizations on data monetization, data governance, and data-driven transformation.

Martha Dember serves as the Chief Data Officer of the U.S. Department of Labor, where she leads enterprise data strategy, governance, and analytics initiatives across the department. She brings extensive experience in federal data leadership, having worked at the intersection of policy, technology, and organizational transformation. Martha is a recognized voice in the federal CDO community and a frequent contributor to government-wide data initiatives.

Peter Aiken, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Information Systems at Virginia Commonwealth University and the founder of Data Blueprint, a data management consulting firm. He has spent more than 25 years working with hundreds of organizations worldwide on data strategy, data architecture, and data management maturity. Peter is the author of multiple books on data management and a frequent speaker at industry conferences. He is a recognized expert in helping organizations build the data literacy and management capabilities needed to compete in a data-driven economy.

Derek Strauss is the Managing Director of Gavroshe, a data management and analytics consulting firm. He has more than 25 years of experience helping organizations design and implement enterprise data strategies, data governance frameworks, and data management programs. Derek is a recognized thought leader in the CDO community and has worked with organizations across financial services, healthcare, government, and other sectors. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and a contributor to the CDOIQ Symposium.

William H. Inmon is an American computer scientist, recognized by many as the father of the data warehouse. Inmon wrote the first book, held the first conference, wrote the first column in a magazine and was the first to offer classes in data warehousing. Inmon created the accepted definition of what a data warehouse is - a subject-oriented, non-volatile, integrated, time-variant collection of data in support of management’s decisions. In 2012, Inmon developed and made public technology known as "textual disambiguation". Textual disambiguation applies context to raw text and reformats the raw text and context into a standard data base format. Once raw text is passed through textual disambiguation, it can easily and efficiently be accessed and analyzed by standard business intelligence technology, as well as AI. Textual disambiguation is accomplished through the execution of TextualETL. Inmon owns and operates Forest Rim Technology, a company that applies and implements data warehousing solutions executed through textual disambiguation and TextualETL.

Michael Stonebraker is an adjunct professor at MIT CSAIL and a database pioneer who specializes in database management systems and data integration. He was awarded the 2014 A.M. Turing Award (known as the "Nobel Prize of computing") by the Association for Computing Machinery for his "fundamental contributions to the concepts and practices underlying modern database systems as well as their practical application through nine start-up companies that he has founded." Stonebraker also co-founded and serves as CTO of Tamr.

Dr. James Meng is a senior scientist at the University of California, San Diego Supercomputer Center, where he focuses on quantum computing, big data analytics, and the design and integration of complex systems. His expertise includes system dynamics of large complex systems, interoperable architecture, data systems integration, and value delivery. He has extensive experience bridging advanced technology, engineering, and management to address complex organizational and technical challenges. Prior to joining UC San Diego, Dr. Meng held several senior executive positions with the U.S. Department of the Navy, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy and STEM Executive in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. He also served as Executive Director of Warfare System Engineering and Chief Systems Engineer at Naval Sea Systems Command and held leadership positions within the Naval Undersea Systems. Dr. Meng holds a Ph.D. in aeronautical engineering and an M.S. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley, a B.S. in mechanical engineering from National Taiwan University, and an M.S. in management science from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He has authored numerous technical and research publications and holds patents in engineering and advanced technology fields. He currently teaches courses through the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, including Lean Thinking for Big Data Analytics, Intuitive Learning of Quantum Computing, and Intuitive Learning of Quantum Machine Learning.