In this episode of CDO Matters, Malcolm Hawker sits down with Yext Chief Data Officer Christian Ward to explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping the relationship between data and modern marketing.

As traditional playbooks built around search, SEO, and paid media begin to fracture, the conversation dives into what this shift means for CMOs—and why CDOs must step into a far more consultative and strategic role in guiding how organizations prepare their data for an AI-mediated customer journey.

The result is a thoughtful discussion on the emerging data realities behind AI-driven discovery, and what data leaders must do today to ensure their marketing partners remain visible, relevant, and competitive in an AI-first world.

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In this episode of CDO Matters, host Malcolm Hawker speaks with Samir Sharma about the idea behind the Data Strategy Canvas and how organizations can bring more structure to their data initiatives.

They discuss how frameworks can help leaders connect data strategy to real business priorities and improve alignment across teams. The conversation explores practical ways data leaders can simplify complex strategy discussions and move from vision to execution.

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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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