The Modern Data Leader’s Summit program is designed and delivered by experts at TDWI alongside practicing data and analytics leaders from across diverse industries. Attend the entire summit and earn a TDWI Modern Data Leadership Certificate on AI In the Enterprise.


Track Key:
 Agenda Highlights Breaks/Lunch
 NonClick Strategy Summit
Monday, August 18, 2025
TIME EVENT
Monday
9:00 am - 9:30 am
  
Welcome and Kick Off // Trends and Priorities in AI

Fern Halper, Ph.D., VP and Sr. Research Director, TDWI

Evan Levy, CBIP, Partner, Integral Data, LLC and TDWI Fellow
Monday
9:30 am - 9:40 am
  
Leading AI Transformation: Practical Steps for Data Leaders

Sean Knapp, Founder & CEO, Ascend.io
Monday
9:40 am - 10:30 am
  
Expert Speaker: Leading AI Transformation: Strategy, Culture, and Organizational Readiness

Donald Farmer, Principal, TreeHive Strategy and TDWI Fellow
Monday
10:30 am - 10:40 am
  
The Great BI Transformation: Why Intelligence Changes Everything

Sami Akbay, VP, Product Management, Data & Analytics, insightsoftware
Monday
10:40 am - 10:55 am
  
Break
Monday
10:55 am - 11:25 pm
  
Case Study: Analyst to AI: Transforming Legacy Processes into Instant Insights

Adil Minhas, Vice President of Data and Analytics, Northwood Investors
Monday
11:25 am - 12:15 pm
  
Networking Exercise: The Data Foundation for AI
Monday
12:15 pm - 2:20 pm
  
Exclusive Leadership Lunch and Innovation Stations
Monday
2:20 pm - 3:15 pm
  
Expert Speaker: The AI-Ready Enterprise: Data and Infrastructure

John O'Brien, President, Radiant Advisors
Monday
3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
  
Case Study: From Concept to Capability: Delivering Actionable AI in Complex Environments

Benjamin Horner, Department of Homeland Security
Monday
3:45 pm - 4:00 pm
  
Break
Monday
4:00 pm - 4:50 pm
  
Data Leaders Panel: Building a Scalable Data Foundation for AI and Generative AI

John Burgard, Sr. Director, Business Intelligence, Churchill Downs

Ajay Kunnumal, Director, Data Enablement, Genentech

Saurabh Shetti, Director, Data Strategy and Commercial Analytics, Cytokinetics
Monday
4:50 pm - 5:00 pm
  
Industry Perspectives
Monday
5:00 pm - 5:10 pm
  
The Wrap: Closing Discussion of Today's Topics

Fern Halper, Ph.D., VP and Sr. Research Director, TDWI

Evan Levy, CBIP, Partner, Integral Data, LLC and TDWI Fellow
Monday
5:15 pm - 6:45 pm
  
Welcome Reception
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
TIME EVENT
Tuesday
7:30 am - 8:00 am
  
Breakfast
Tuesday
8:00 am - 8:45 am
  
Keynote // AI at Work: Reskill, Rethink, and Stay Ahead

Tamilla Triantoro, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Quinnipiac University
Tuesday
9:00 am - 9:05 am
  
Welcome and Kickoff

Fern Halper, Ph.D., VP and Sr. Research Director, TDWI

Evan Levy, CBIP, Partner, Integral Data, LLC and TDWI Fellow
Tuesday
9:05 am - 9:50 am
  
Expert Speaker: Operational Readiness: Beyond Proof of Concept: Scaling AI from Pilot to Production

Matt Florian, Practice Director- SAP Delivery, Hakkoda
Tuesday
9:50 am - 10:00 am
  
Industry Perspectives
Tuesday
10:00 am - 10:30 am
  
Case Study: GenBI: Building an Automated BI Agent

Asaf Bord, Data & AI Product Leader, Northwestern Mutual
Tuesday
10:30 am - 10:40 am
  
Break
Tuesday
10:40 am - 11:20 am
  
TDWI Research Findings and Sponsor Panel

Sean Knapp, Founder & CEO, Ascend.io
Tuesday
11:30 am - 12:15 pm
  
AI Leader Panel: Skills and Roles: Building AI-Powered Applications: From Concept to Competitive Advantage

Rod Carlson, Manager Analytics Engineering, Chicago White Sox

Tamara L. Roust, Ph.D., CFA, CAIA, CISSP , Head of Artificial Intelligence, Office of Financial Research, US Treasury Dept.

Adriana Williamson, Director of Data and Analytics, Feeding America
Tuesday
12:15 pm - 2:15 pm
  
Lunch and Exhibit Hall
Tuesday
2:15 pm - 2:25 pm
  
Industry Perspectives
Tuesday
2:25 pm - 3:35 pm
  
Expert Speaker: Governing AI: Balancing Innovation, Compliance, and Ethics

Pradeep Karpur, Partner, Technology Consulting - Data and Analytics (EY)
Tuesday
3:35 pm - 3:50 am
  
Break
Tuesday
3:50 pm - 5:20 pm
  
Workshop: Developing Innovative AI Use Cases: Strategy and Execution

Sam Wong, Senior Director of Data, Analytics, and AI, Mark Anthony Group
Tuesday
5:20 pm - 5:30 pm
  
The Wrap: Closing Discussion of Event

Fern Halper, Ph.D., VP and Sr. Research Director, TDWI

Evan Levy, CBIP, Partner, Integral Data, LLC and TDWI Fellow

Agenda Key

  • Analyst Insights: the latest trends and research delivered by TDWI analysts.
  • Expert Best Practices: experts, with in-the-trenches expertise, focus on best practices and successful real-world applications
  • Curated Case Studies: case studies, delivered by experts in the field, with a focus on actionable takeaways
  • Industry Perspectives: sponsor insights on data and AI landscape
  • Workshop: interactive session where leaders come together with peers, with an expert facilitator, to discuss common challenges and proven best practices

Earn a CertificateModern Data Leadership Certificate:
AI in the Enterprise

This certificate for data and business leaders validates participation in the summit and conceptual knowledge of:

  • Analytics strategy and roadmap building for AI.
  • How organizations are building AI applications.
  • Organizing for AI.
  • How organizations are architecting modern data management environments to support AI.
  • Analytics and AI governance frameworks.
  • Technology availability to accelerate analytics success.

Register Online

Rest easy—online registrations for this conference are secure. Our secured server environment keeps your information private.

TDWI Modern Data Leader's Summit:
2025 San Diego

Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel
1 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101
August 18–19