2026 Boston CDAO Community Executive Summit

CDAOBoston CDAO CommunityBoston CDAO Programs

Collaborate with your peers

Get together with Boston's top CDAOs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.

Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CDAOs today:

Modernizing Data and AI Infrastructure for Business Growth

Upskilling Leaders and Teams for a Data-Driven Culture

Governance and Accountability for Real-World Data Value

Governing Body Co-Chairs

Douglas Clark

Biogen
Executive Director, Technology, Analytics & Data Insights

Genevy Dimitrion

Utica National Insurance Group
Head of Enterprise Data

Matt Griffiths

Stanley Black & Decker
Chief Technology Officer

What to Expect

Interactive Sessions

Hear from CDAO practitioners and thought leaders on how they're solving critical challenges impacting your role today in Keynote sessions, and join smaller, interactive discussions with your peers in Breakout and Boardroom sessions.

Community Networking

Make new connections and catch up with old friends in casual conversations during dedicated time for networking designed to better acquaint you with your Boston CDAO community.

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a private, one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

Agenda

May 12, 2026

morning afternoon

8:00am - 8:30am Registration & Breakfast

8:30am - 9:15am Keynote

Responsible AI Governance — Practical Approaches for Scaling Organizations

Brian Clifford

VP & CDO

Amica

Scaling AI requires strong governance, clear data architecture, and responsible practices. Cross-functional collaboration and transparent communication help align AI initiatives with organizational values and compliance needs. Discover practical models for sustainable and ethical AI growth.

Join this session to explore:

Implementing responsible AI governance
Aligning AI with organizational goals and compliance
Leading change management and enterprise transformation

9:15am - 9:40am Networking Break

9:40am - 10:25am Breakout Session

Securing the Future — Where Data Meets Diligence

Tarun Sood

Chief Data Officer

American Century Investments

Organizations are evolving beyond traditional programming to leverage new technologies for productivity and transformation. Success relies on structured approval processes, early business engagement, and learning from both industry successes and failures. Collaborative governance ensures compliance, security, and effective risk management as new use cases scale.

Join this session to learn more about:

Structured approval processes for initiatives based on scale and risk
Early business partner engagement and value demonstration
Collaborative governance integrating compliance and business needs

10:25am - 11:10am Networking Break

10:35am - 11:00am Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

11:10am - 11:55am Executive Boardroom

Scaling Agentic AI with Trusted Context

Agentic AI is transforming business, but CDAOs can only scale AI agents as quickly as they can provide trusted, real-time context. Context intelligence is essential, combining data and business meaning for confident scaling.

Join this roundtable to discuss:

What are the core data platform capabilities required to serve as a system of context
How should you structure your AI strategy to balance innovation speed with accountability and measurable outcomes
Which key metrics should you track to assess data readiness for AI

11:10am - 11:55am Executive Boardroom

Redefining Data Workflows - Unlocking Automation, Trust, and Agility

Chandrakant Sharma

Global Field CTO & VP Field Engineering

Acceldata

As analytics and AI adoption accelerates, CDAOs are shifting from reactive data quality to proactive, end-to-end visibility across the data lifecycle. By embedding governance and automation, organizations can scale reliable, decision-ready data products that deliver measurable business value.

Join this session to:

Build trusted, enterprise-scale data workflows
Enable proactive visibility for scalable data products
Automate data reliability for analytics and AI success

11:55am - 12:30pm Lunch Service

1:05pm - 1:30pm Break

1:30pm - 2:15pm Breakout Session

Next-Gen Tech — AI, Quantum, and What’s Next

Douglas Clark

Executive Director, Technology, Analytics & Data Insights

Biogen

Next-Gen Tech — AI, Quantum, and What’s Next

Join this highly interactive session to explore the convergence of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other emerging technologies—and what they mean for the future of data, analytics and the workforce. This session invites candid dialogue, peer sharing and scenario planning to help leaders separate hype from reality and prepare their teams for what’s next.

Join this interactive session to explore:

Lightning talks on the latest trends in AI, quantum, and automation
Scenario planning: “What will the data team look like in five years?”
“Myth vs. Reality” group debates on next-gen technology adoption

1:30pm - 2:15pm Executive Boardroom

Proving AI’s Worth — What Boards Want to Hear

Sathishkumar Balasubramanian

VP, Enterprise Data & Analytics

Bright Horizons

Executive boards want to see that AI delivers measurable business value, with clear evidence. Translating technical achievements into board-level impact is an exercise in building trust to secure ongoing support.

Join this session to discuss:

Using credible ROI metrics that resonate with boards
Communicating effectively and telling the AI value story
Building board confidence and sustaining investment

2:15pm - 3:00pm Networking Break

2:25pm - 2:50pm Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

3:00pm - 3:45pm Executive Boardroom

Winning the C-Suite — Creating Lasting Champions

Genevy Dimitrion

Head of Enterprise Data

Utica National Insurance Group

Championing data‑driven transformation begins with sustained leadership commitment. Aligning priorities, addressing skepticism, and inspiring action help embed data‑driven thinking at the highest levels. Strategic messaging and securing executive sponsorship are essential to driving long‑term success.

Join this boardroom to discuss:

Securing and maintaining executive sponsorship with proven techniques
Messaging that overcomes resistance and inspires action
Aligning initiatives with strategic business goals

3:45pm - 4:00pm Networking Break

4:00pm - 4:35pm Keynote

Telling Your Data Story

Scott Taylor

Author, Telling Your Data Story

Guest Speaker

The way we talk about data is holding the industry back so it’s time to rework your “data speak”. Are you struggling with leadership support, craving stakeholder engagement and begging for proper funding? Even though you may create Gen AI wonders with your data, it won’t matter unless you explain the value in practical business terms.

Join The Data Whisperer’s rollicking and riotous review of current buzzwords and some practical tips and tricks on what you can do about it including:

Differentiating between a data management narrative and other data storytelling and data literacy efforts
Developing strategies to secure sponsorship and funding
Executing a simple storytelling approach

4:35pm - 4:45pm Closing Comments and Prize Drawing

May 12, 2026

morning afternoon

Apply to Participate

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Apply to participate in the Boston CDAO Community Executive Summit.

Gartner facilitates exclusive, C-level communities by personally qualifying and understanding the priorities, challenges and interests of each member.

Our selective approach maintains the high quality of the network and ensures top-level discussions with peers from the world’s leading organizations.

Each application will be reviewed, and once your participation is confirmed, you will have access to year-round community programs.

Community Member Criteria

To ensure peer connections and conversations at the highest level, members must meet the following criteria:

- C-level or senior most executive for respective function

- Organization revenue of $500M+

Exceptions are considered.

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Location

Venue & Accommodation

Renaissance Boston Seaport District

More Information

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Renaissance Boston Seaport District at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 888-796-4664. Please mention Boston Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.

Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $349 USD (plus tax) is April 20, 2026.

Reserve Room

Your Community Sponsors

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Community Program Manager

For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.

Latasha Dorsey

Community Program Manager

latasha.dorsey@gartner.com