Governing Body Spotlight

Xingchu Liu, Ph.D., is the Chief Data & Analytics Officer and Head of Data, Digital, and Analytics at Genentech, with over 20 years of experience in data, technology, and AI leadership. As a recognized industry driver, he has spearheaded significant business transformations across multiple sectors, including previous roles at Pfizer, Macy's, and as President of BlackLocus (a Home Depot subsidiary). His innovative leadership has delivered substantial impact, including AI-powered initiatives that generated over $1 billion in sales at The Home Depot. Holding a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, he is also a successful entrepreneur who had successful exit of AI-driven startups.

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Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.

My career path has been dedicated to data, analytics, and AI for the past 20 years. I started in the startup world across various industries, successfully navigating several exits. This success transitioned me into large, consumer-focused companies like Macy’s and Home Depot, where I led major analytics and AI initiatives to innovate digital and personalized customer experiences. I then joined Pfizer as the Chief Commercial Analytics Officer, transforming global commercial data and AI capabilities. Now, I have the privilege to lead the Data, Digital, and Analytics team at Genentech, bringing together the agility of a startup with the scale of an enterprise.
 

What is one of your guiding leadership principles?

One of my guiding leadership principles is the profound importance of partnership and collaboration. I firmly believe the best outcomes are achieved when we work together—within the team, across the organization (like Genentech and Roche), and beyond. By challenging each other and staying aligned on what matters most, we can achieve true transformation, which is built on the core values of collaboration, innovation, and execution.
 

What is the greatest challenge your particular C-level role is facing today, and how are you addressing it?

The greatest challenge facing technology leaders today is keeping pace with the breathtaking acceleration of AI evolution and harnessing its power responsibly. The timeline for AI matching human performance has shrunk from years for handwriting recognition to just a few for reading comprehension. We cannot afford to stand still. At Genentech, we are addressing this by leveraging our talent, data, and technology, supported by a leadership team that is fully committed to this work. Our focus is on quickly developing and adopting AI to enterprise scale, in order to bring better outcomes to more patients faster.
 

What is the key to success for someone just starting outin your C-level role?

The key to success for a new C-level executive is learning to bring the best of both worlds to the organization: the speed, focus, and creativity of a startup combined with the reach, rigor, and infrastructure of a scaled enterprise. This requires a blend of skills: embracing innovation and agility, yet also mastering disciplined execution, process management, and broad alignment across teams. It’s also crucial to maintain a strong focus on core values—such as collaboration, innovation, and execution—and to continually learn and adapt in a rapidly changing technological landscape, especially with the acceleration of AI.
 

How do you measure success as a leader?

I measure success as a leader by our ability to drive real transformation and deliver impact at scale. Metrics include the successful execution of large-scale analytics and AI initiatives that drive business growth and innovate customer or patient experience, as seen in my prior roles. This is not just about technology. It’s about our people and new ways of working. It’s critical for us to continue investing in our own team along this AI transformation journey.
 

What is the value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities?

The value of being a member of the community is gaining access to a platform where leaders can share insights and perspectives to shape agendas that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today. This fosters an environment of mutual learning and strategic alignment, allowing members to collectively understand and respond to challenges like the accelerated evolution of AI. It provides the opportunity to partner and collaborate with peers, bringing diverse experiences from startups and large enterprises together to drive innovation and strategic growth for the industry.
 

Gartner C-level Communities Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.