THE ELITE EVENT FOR CHIEF DATA & ANALYTICS OFFICERS FROM BANKING, FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND INSURANCE
September 16-17 2025
| Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, USA
Agenda Day 2
8:00 am - 8:30 am
EVENT REGISTRATION & COFFEE
8:30 am - 8:40 am
OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIRPERSON
Abha Dawesar -
Chief Data & Analytics Officer,
Vanguard Workplace Solutions
8:40 am - 8:45 am
LIVE POLLING
8:45 am - 9:30 am
LIGHTNING PRESENTATIONS: “HOW OTHERS DO IT” – WHERE ARE WE AT IN OUR DATA JOURNEYS?
Nolan Walker -
Vice President, Data Analytics,
Suncoast Credit Union
Richad Nieves-Becker - AVP, Data Science, MetLife
Sometimes, it’s easy to get lost in the day to day of operations and processes, reason for which taking the time to look elsewhere can be a breath of fresh air, an opportunity to revisit some of your longstanding processes and consider how they might be different, or more efficient. Join to hear about other companies’ internal structures for inspiration, and take the opportunity to rethink and revamp yours for improved productivity, happier employees and optimal management of your data.
9:30 am - 10:00 am
PRESENTATION: STRATEGIC PRIORITIZATION OF ML/AI INITIATIVES – SECURING APPROVALS AND DRIVING BUSINESS VALUE
Yury Blyakhman -
Managing Director,
JPMorgan Chase
Securing funding and resources for ML and/or AI initiatives can be challenging, especially when competing with traditional data and quantitative priorities. Effectively navigating the approval process is crucial to success, as is the ability to ‘speak business’ and actively communicate the potential of certain implementations. Focus in on crafting strong business cases, identifying key performance indicators (KPIs), and integrating ML/AI into business processes – with stakeholders on your side.
- Learn to craft compelling business case proposals with clear criteria for approval
- Identify high-impact business processes and measuring success against tangible value
- Discover key ways to train business users and ensuring ongoing support for ML/AI solutions
10:00 am - 10:45 am
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: BACK TO BASICS – WHAT STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR ENHANCED DATA QUALITY?
10:00 am - 10:45 am
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT! UNDERSTANDING THE METRICS AND PUTTING THE RIGHT DATA IN THE RIGHT HANDS
10:00 am - 10:45 am
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: HEAD IN THE CLOUDS? A CASE FOR A RETURN TO ON PREMISE SERVERS
10:00 am - 10:45 am
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: A CLICK AWAY – IMPROVING DATA CURATION FOR BETTER CROSSFUNCTIONAL ACCESSIBILITY
10:50 am - 11:20 am
THINK TANK: LEGACY VS NOVELTY – IS NEW ALWAYS NECESSARY?
Dave Bhattacharjee -
SVP, Chief Data Officer,
Farm Credit Bank of Texas
Everywhere there is talk of the next big thing, the new tool, the modern approach. In industries like finance, where long-established systems continue to serve critical functions, this can be a difficult route to navigate. The allure of the “next big thing” is undeniable, but this does not mean that legacy systems should simply be dropped for the sake of modernization. Nevertheless, the finance sector is under increasing pressure to innovate and stay relevant in the competitive landscape, all while having to manage limited budgets and regulatory uncertainty. Aggravated in part by new fintech companies emerging and starting operations from scratch, how can banks stay up to date in the space? And how can fintech companies make sure they do not fall victim to a potentially ephemeral “next big thing”?
- Evaluate your organization’s current structure, and identify your strengths and weaknesses to identify key areas of improvement that align with your business goals and can drive long-term success
- Identify the pros and cons of legacy systems and new tech, and where each might play a role within your business model to help you maintain stability while integrating flexibility
- Weigh in on innovation, and the importance of optimization rather than acquisition, to benefit from the right tools at the most efficient cost
10:50 am - 11:20 am
1:1 BUSINESS MEETINGS
11:25 am - 11:55 am
COFFEE BREAK & NETWORKING
11:25 am - 11:55 am
1:1 BUSINESS MEETINGS
12:15 pm - 12:45 pm
THINK TANK: HOW TO BE A GOOD CORPORATE CITIZEN – PREPARING FOR, LEARNING FROM AND ACING ALL OF YOUR AUDITS AND EXAMS
Nickolaus Lachman -
SVP, Head of AI & Data Science,
Valley Bank
As a data leader, preparing for audits and exams is an essential aspect of ensuring your organization remains compliant with ever-evolving regulations. It’s not just about checking boxes but about fostering a culture of transparency and responsibility. It is crucial, for this reason, to maintain consistent data governance, documentation, and risk management strategies to be audit-ready at any moment. Reflecting on past exams provides invaluable insights into potential gaps and areas for improvement. Preparing proactively and learning from the past can help you build trust and maintain regulatory integrity.
- Discover the importance of reviewing data processes regularly to identify discrepancies and rectify them before they become issues
- Assess how you can empower your team to maintain up to date records, including data lineage, access controls, and policies
- Home in on the value of assessing past audits for trends or areas of recurring concern, and of documenting decisions made in past audits to help build a clearer path for future compliance
12:15 pm - 12:45 pm
1:1 BUSINESS MEETINGS
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
LUNCH
1:45 pm - 2:15 pm
COFFEE BREAK & NETWORKING
1:45 pm - 2:15 pm
1:1 BUSINESS MEETINGS
2:20 pm - 2:25 pm
LIVE POLLING
2:25 pm - 2:55 pm
DEBATE O’CLOCK: THE “FIRST OR BEST” THEORY – EFFICIENTLY BALANCING MODERNIZATION AND HABIT TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EDGE IN THE COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Being the first is the best. Or is being the best the best? Both no doubt have pros and cons – being the first helps forge a specific reputation for your company as a leader, a trailblazer and an active innovator. However, another company advertizing the same process or technique a little later, but more organized or streamlined can quickly take your limelight away. In a world where progress is always viewed as positive, and modernization feels like the obvious way forward, it is nevertheless important to stop and consider for what reasons you are implementing a new process, adopting a new tool, or releasing a new product, and whether it is actually improving your processes. Pick a side and debate!
2:55 pm - 3:40 pm
FUTURE CORNER CLOSING PANEL DISCUSSION: GETTING A HEAD START – WHAT WILL THE NEXT 2-3 YEARS LOOK LIKE FOR DATA IN THE BFSI SECTOR?
Deepak Konale -
Chief Data Officer,
Northern Trust
Pavan Yerra - SVP, Truist
Jean-Christophe Lionti - Managing Director and Chief Data Officer, Mizuho
There is a lot on a CDO’s plate. Figuring out what you want your data team, processes and management to look like is a tricky task, especially considering the effects stakeholders, other departments and the regulatory landscape can have on them. Different methods will suit different companies, but it is crucial to identify from the get-go what your strategy is and what you seek to create within your given business. Finish the Exchange by hearing what your peers wish to focus on going forward and weigh in on your key takeaways and potential strategies as you set off to make your company data-driven and future-thinking.
