In this episode of the CDO Matters podcast, I sit down with Microsoft’s Karthik Ravindran to unpack what it really means to be “AI-ready” in 2026, and why most organizations are still thinking about data the wrong way. 

We explore the collision of product management, governance, and platform strategy, and why AI success will be determined less by models and more by mindset, operating model, and the quality of the data fueling the engine. If you’re a data or analytics leader trying to translate AI hype into measurable business outcomes, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss! 

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In this episode of CDO Matters, Malcolm Hawker sits down with Sarah Levy, the CEO of Euno, to unpack why traditional data governance is collapsing under the weight of AI.

They explore how context, metadata, and probabilistic thinking are redefining what “AI-ready” really means - and why CDOs who don’t adapt quickly risk becoming irrelevant.

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In Episode 93 of the CDO Matters podcast, host Malcolm Hawker sits down with Eric Overby, Faculty Director at Georgia Tech, for a thoughtful conversation on professional development in data.

From building lasting skills to staying relevant as the field evolves, they explore what it takes to grow a meaningful, resilient career in today’s data-driven world.

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In this episode of the CDO Matters Podcast, Malcolm Hawker lays out his most candid and contrarian predictions for where data, analytics, and AI are really headed in 2026—cutting through the hype to focus on what will actually matter for data leaders.

From the evolution (and fragmentation) of the CDO role to hard truths about AI readiness, governance, and operating models, this episode challenges conventional wisdom and calls out uncomfortable realities many organizations are still ignoring. If you’re responsible for turning data into outcomes, and not just headlines, this is a must-listen.

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The data world loves trends — but most of them don’t survive contact with reality. In this annual Top Ten Trends episode, Malcolm Hawker reflects on the year that was, exposing where data leaders made real progress and where they kept repeating the same mistakes. Expect honesty, uncomfortable truths, and a few sacred cows put out to pasture.

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In this episode, Malcolm sits down with Jeremi Karnell of InvestNet to explore how the company is transforming six trillion dollars of “digital exhaust” into powerful decision-intelligence capabilities for financial advisors. 

Jeremi explains how predictive models, knowledge graphs, and generative AI are reshaping advisor workflows, driving measurable revenue lift, and redefining what modern data products look like in financial services. This is a rare look at an AI success story in an industry where most POCs still fail, and a blueprint for any data leader seeking real ROI.

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In this episode, Malcolm Hawker sits down with Jonathan Ong, Data Director for Mecklenburg County Public Health, to unpack how a small, resource-constrained team built a thriving data governance program from the ground up.

They explore the practical realities of securing executive buy-in, building data literacy, and shifting governance from a compliance exercise to a catalyst for better decision-making. Whether you lead data in government or the private sector, this conversation offers a playbook for making governance simple, scalable, and impactful.

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In Episode 88 of CDO Matters, Malcolm Hawker sits down with Rebecca O’Kill, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Axis Capital, for a masterclass in pragmatic data leadership. Together they explore how to evolve a data and analytics operating model for a future defined by AI, adaptability, and relentless business alignment.

Rebecca shares how her team turned skeptics into allies by embedding governance into delivery, prioritizing value over frameworks, and embracing a true growth mindset — one built on experimentation, agility, and continuous learning.

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Malcolm Hawker and DataGalaxy’s Kash Mehdi dive into the evolution of metadata, data products, and AI governance - exploring why traditional data catalogs are no longer enough. They discuss how context, usability, and human insight are reshaping what it means to manage and trust data in an AI-driven world.

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What happens when a seasoned data leader decides to step out of corporate life and build something entirely new? In this episode, I sit down with Dora Boussias—former Stryker executive, dynamic speaker, and now founder of DoraB Global—to talk about her leap into entrepreneurship, the importance of authenticity, personal reinvention, and what it really takes to carve out your own brand in the data space. If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible beyond the traditional career path, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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