CDO Matters Podcast

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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Everyone is chasing AI, but few are asking the hard questions about what it really takes to make it work.

In this episode, Malcolm sits down with Ron Green, CTO and co-founder of KungFu.AI, to cut through the hype and talk about what’s actually happening inside companies trying to deploy AI at scale. If you think AI is a plug-and-play silver bullet, this conversation may challenge some of your assumptions.

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Malcolm Hawker and Junaid Farooq unpack one of the toughest challenges in data leadership: moving beyond outdated notions of ownership to embrace accountability and results.

Their conversation sheds light on the mindsets and practices that separate struggling programs from transformative ones.

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In this episode of CDO Matters, Malcolm Hawker sits down with Andreas Blumauer to explore how knowledge graphs are transforming enterprise data strategies.

They discuss why semantics and domain models are critical for making data truly AI-ready, and how CDOs can use these tools to bridge the gap between data governance and AI innovation. If you’re leading data initiatives and want to understand the future of knowledge management, this conversation is essential listening.

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