Transformed With Data Episode 10:How to Drive 600% Data Engagement: AI Strategy Lessons from the White House

The episode of Transformed with Data podcast, Graeme Crawford talks with Dia Adams, best-selling author of "Winning With AI: A Blueprint for Corporate Leaders" and former enterprise data strategist for the White House. Dia shares how she increased engagement in the SEC's data catalog by 600% through strategic storytelling and reveals why most AI initiatives fail before they start - not because the technology isn't ready, but because organizations aren't. Drawing from her unique experience steering data transformations at Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson, and within federal government, she explains how to secure real buy-in for AI projects, navigate the psychological pressures of high-stakes data decisions, and why successful data leadership is 50% technical and 50% psychological.

0:00 - Introduction and data therapy concept

3:30 - Government data decision-making challenges

7:30 - Coping with high-stakes pressure

11:30 - Mentorship under General Colin Powell

17:30 - Listening and leadership lessons

21:30 - The power of optimism

24:30 - 600% engagement increase at SEC

30:30 - Data visualization best practices

33:30 - Common patterns across industries

37:30 - Chief Data Officer challenges

40:30 - AI implementation red flags

44:30 - Business first, AI second

46:30 - Contact information and closing