Advisory Board

As senior vice president, data analytics and computational intelligence & marketing technology, Chandhu Nair leads the team supporting artificial intelligence-led data products and platform strategy, as well as self-serve analytics for the organization. He is also responsible for the omnichannel marketing technology and customer technology capabilities enabling digital marketing, personalization, loyalty experiences and CRM products capabilities. He joined Lowe’s in 2020.

Chandhu has over 20 years of experience in product, technology, digital and data driven transformation roles. In a prior role at Lowe’s, he was vice president, technology, omnichannel marketing and digital customer engagement, and spearheaded best-in-class technology product launches including Lowes.com customer engagement, customer-data re-platforming, MVPs Pro Rewards and Partnerships Program, and Lowe’s One Roof Media Network. Before joining the company, he served as CEO and co-founder of Cognitive Retail Inc., a retail technology company providing U.S.-based retailers with advanced data analytics. He was also a managing partner and co-founder at Merkatus Partners, a strategy consulting firm focused on emerging technology investment services. Before that, he held global e-commerce and technology leadership roles at Staples Inc and Infosys.

Chandhu earned a master’s degree in general management and operations from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in engineering – information technology from Bharathiar University, India. He serves as an adviser to technology startups in the U.S. and globally, and work with multiple venture capital firms in SF, Boston and India. He currently serves on the advisory board for United Planet, a non-profit based in Boston where he previously served as board director and also sits on the executive council board for Retail Info Systems & Consumer Goods Technology group.

Kunal Das is the Vice President of Applied AI, Data & Analytics at Lowe’s leading a global organization of 500 associates across United States and India. In this role, Kunal works with Data Scientists, Data Engineers, Data Analysts, Software Engineers, UX designers and Product Managers to bring AI/ML powered data products to life. He works across all retail business functions, such as, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Marketing, Digital and Stores to deliver, data driven insights and recommendation leveraging Lowe’s Big Data Platform.

Kunal is a technology first leader with a deep understanding of business. He has played an instrumental role in successfully deploying data product strategy and has created a culture of factual data driven decision making at Lowe’s.

Vince Stuntebeck brings over 20 years of experience delivering meaningful and measurable value across a wide variety of business functions. As a global AI and data leader, he focuses on pairing strong technical expertise with business understanding in order to influence and lead up, down and across organizations.

Vince’s experience as a leader in strategic data and analytic product development spans organizations from $1B to $23B, including over a decade within leading technology firms. He has a proven track record of transitioning organizations to data-centric product offerings, migrating tech stacks to modern cloud architectures, and driving positive change through powerful metrics. Vince regularly consults with C-suite executives on AI, data, and analytical transformations across businesses while establishing trusted relationships with transparency and integrity.

Ultimately, Vince is passionate about “simplifing complex issues” that create measurable business impact at scale with data and AI.

Sathya is a tech evangelist, blogger and a practicing enterprise architect with a passion towards advocating value-driven digital transformation for enterprises. He brings over 17 years of experience across software development, consulting, sales and value advisory. In his current role as a Principal Architect at Google, he advises select enterprises on digital transformation strategies.

Prior to his current position at Google, Sathya spent more than a decade at Oracle as an enterprise architect, where he led digital transformation initiatives for strategic clients. In these roles as a trusted advisor, he counsels C-Suite and IT leaders in key decisions to advance their strategic priorities and goals. He has a proven track record of leading successful enterprise-grade digital and data transformations for enterprises across industry verticals. As a leader in technology, he also mentors college graduates and volunteers for several humanitarian causes.

Yvonne Li is an innovative, award-winning executive in the field of data science and AI, leveraging her social and behavioral science background to build high-performing teams and drive business results across various industries in Fortune 500 companies. With more than 15 years of experience in data science, machine learning, and AI, Li possesses a unique ability to drive impactful transformation at an enterprise level. Prior to joining Advance Auto Parts, she served as Executive Director of Data Science, AI, and Systems at IBM. She is recognized for her strategic forward-thinking vision, combining it with rigorous data analysis and AI techniques to achieve strategic goals, optimize performance, and maximize return on investment.

Brijesh has over 25 years of experience in leading data and digital initiatives across the Banking, financial services, and high-tech industries. He has defined and executed various data & analytics strategies, data governance strategies, and frameworks to drive business value and has been instrumental in change.

Brijesh combines business and technical acumen to partner with cross-functional leaders and various stakeholders in a complex organization and is passionate about enabling data-driven decision-making, optimizing business performance & process, and enhancing change and impact on the organizations. His competencies include data governance for risk, regulatory & compliance, Customer experience, customer data platform, marketing technology, business process management, automation, AI, ML, predictive, Master Data Management, and business analytics.

Dan is an analytics leader with 13 years of experience in product, marketing, customer, retail, and operations. He leverages a deep understanding of transforming data into business results to influence the strategy and roadmap of cross-functional organizations. At Google, Dan owns analytics for YouTube’s user support and contact center operations, leading a global team of data product owners, scientists, analysts, and engineers. He previously held analytics leadership roles at Wayfair, Lowe’s, Kroger, and H-E-B, tackling complex initiatives like marketing personalization, data democratization, data product strategy, and building data teams and capabilities from scratch. Dan’s colleagues recognize him for his thoughtfulness, pragmatism, focus on diverse talent, and ability to create organizational change.

Peter Dreyer is the head of business analytics, research, and strategy for Brighthouse Financial. Brighthouse Financial was established by MetLife in 2016 and is a major provider of annuity and life insurance solutions in the United States.

In this role, Dreyer is responsible for leveraging data, analytics, and research to guide strategy and advise the chief distribution and chief marketing officers. He partners closely with the broader sales and marketing organizations, enabling them to increase efficiency and grow Brighthouse Financial’s market share. He also contributes to strategic, enterprise-wide initiatives including the company’s corporate and flexible work environment strategies.

Dreyer serves on the leadership team of the Wharton Club of Charlotte and on the board of directors of Charlotte Jewish Preschool. Dreyer received his B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and holds his Series 7, Series 63 as well as his Life and Health Insurance license. He resides in Charlotte with his wife and son

Samuel was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa. He has an MSc. and BSc. in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Computational Science and Engineering. With several years’ experience as a data science practitioner and leader, Samuel has led teams to develop data product solutions which have enabled business to derive insights into strategic asset placements, enhanced customer experience in multiple fortune 500 retail establishments and championed effective cross-functional collaborations between organizational verticals. Samuel is currently a Director of Data Science at Walmart Inc. leading teams to improve Supply Chain via asset simulations.

Brent is the Chief Data Officer @ Wellstar Health System. He is a highly accomplished leader with over 20 years of Data Management & Analytics experience maximizing the impact data & insights have on business results, operational efficiency & effectiveness, and fact-based cultural change. As well as building measurable analytics programs for major organizations.

Prior to accepting his role with Wellstar, Brent worked at TeamHealth as Vice President of the Enterprise Information Technology Enterprise Data & Analytics (EDA) team. He was responsible for ensuring effective data management, data quality, descriptive and predictive analytics across the enterprise to improve day to day operational effectiveness and create measurable value. His experience is in a wide array of industries including Healthcare, Financial Services, Telecommunications, and Retail Energy.

Rathna is a seasoned Data Executive with over 22 years of experience specializing in creating business value through data for multi-billion dollar companies, particularly within the Manufacturing and Healthcare industries. Rathna’s expertise spans various leadership roles, including Practice Director and Solution Architect, where they have successfully led and managed complex projects and initiatives to support strategic and tactical needs. With a strong focus on building relationships across the enterprise, Rathna brings together data expertise, full product lifecycle experience, and strong security knowledge to maximize the value of company data while mitigating security risks. Rathna’s areas of deep expertise include Digital Transformation, Enterprise Architecture, Agile Development, IT Management, Process Improvement, Business Alignment, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), and Portfolio Management. They excel in creating short and long-term strategies in Master Data Management (MDM), Data Governance (DG), Business Intelligence (BI), and Integration areas, aligning with organizational goals and driving growth. Rathna’s leadership capabilities, strategic vision, and ability to leverage people, processes, and technology make them a valuable asset in driving business success and innovation.

Karl is a transformative leader in the field of Information Management, Cognitive Computing, and Analytics. With a career spanning over 25 years, he has established himself as a recognized innovator and problem solver, driving strategic initiatives in the use of Big Data, AI, and Digital Products. His adept leadership ensures remarkable service delivery, positioning his teams at the forefront of embracing next-generation technologies like Blockchain, Web 3.0, and Quantum Computing.

Throughout his diverse career, Karl has been instrumental in various sectors, including retail, finance, energy trading, telecommunications, manufacturing, and supply chain. His strategic leadership and visionary initiatives have resulted in new teams, redefined operating models, and breakthrough strategies across these industries. Each sector has served as a learning curve, expanding his knowledge, broadening his skillset, and molding him into a versatile asset capable of spearheading enterprise-wide transformations.

Karl’s intellectual curiosity and ongoing education are also noteworthy. He earned a BA in Political Science with a concentration in Public Policy and Constitutional Law from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later became a Certified Enterprise Architect at Carnegie Mellon ISRI. His career and accolades, including the CIO 100 award and Becker’s Top 40 CDO’s award, solidify his position as an accomplished executive and thought leader. Frequently sought out as a speaker, Karl’s insights on data, analytics, AI, and healthcare continue to influence the industry and the world at large.

Dr. Venkatesh (Venky) Ravirala leads a team of 60+ data scientists delivering a broad portfolio of projects across retail, pharmacy, marketing, digital, myWalgreens loyalty program and business insights. Prior to this, he provided business executive and data science consulting services for healthcare and retail clients. He recently was a Sr. Director of Data Science at UnitedHealth Group where he managed a large team and a portfolio of clinical, consumer, payment transactions and fraud detection data science projects. Venky also served as SVP / Chief Analytics Officer at Influence Health, a healthcare software company that helped hospitals and health systems virtually influence prospects and patients before and after clinical encounters.

Dr. Ravirala earned his doctorate in Engineering with Decision Sciences from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, along with dual masters in Operation Research and Statistics. His contributions have been recognized by Academia and Industry with key awards, including Honorable mention for INFORMS Dantzig Dissertation Prize, RPI’s Archibald-Bedford prize, and InfoWorld Top 100 Award. His work at MGM Resorts has been recognized with Teradata EPIC 2012 Awards in two categories (Analytical Excellence and On the Edge).

Alok is the Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Ballad Health. His primary objective is to develop robust analytics capabilities, foster data adoption, and lead Ballad Health on a data-driven decision-making journey by establishing a Center of Excellence. Ballad Health is an integrated community health improvement organization that serves 29 counties in the Appalachian Highlands across Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Northwest North Carolina, and Southeast Kentucky. Recognizing the significance of data analytics in informed patient care decisions, the Ballad Health Board acknowledges the opportunity to develop and embrace this capability.

In his current role as CDAO, he is actively collaborating with leaders across Ballad Health to formulate an enterprise data management strategy. The strategy aims to advance data insights capabilities to support tactical, operational, and strategic initiatives. The ultimate goal is to position Ballad Health as a national model for rural health and healthcare. His team and he are committed to adopting and promoting best practices in population health, Value-Based Care, and Clinical Transformation, all bolstered by the power of data analytics.

Wendy is a seasoned practitioner with a strong focus on driving data transformations and leveraging analytics to achieve business success across various industries such as Financial Services, Defense and Aerospace, Retail, and biotech. Wendy excels in building and leading teams globally within complex organizational structures. Her expertise includes:

HR/Workforce Analytics: Wendy has led initiatives in workforce analytics, integrating insights across various HR areas such as demographics, recruitment, compensation, diversity, and training. She achieved significant cost savings through analytics and established analytical capabilities within HR.
Procurement/Vendor Analytics: Wendy has a track record of improving enterprise margins and cost efficiency through analytics-driven approaches, including optimizing contractual terms and implementing complex analytics evaluation methods.
Financial Forecasting & Analytics: Wendy has extensive experience in developing quantitative forecast models and integrating insights to drive organizational decision-making and action.
Her core competencies include data management, strategy, governance, predictive modeling, visualization, project management, and proficiency in tools like SAS, SQL, Python, and machine learning/AI. Wendy is passionate about leading enterprises to become truly data-driven and fostering data as a strategic asset.

Jacob leads the enterprise data department at Medical Solutions focused on Analytics, Data Management and Governance, as well as Data Science. He is a strong leader with a focus and passion for building high performing data organizations and solving strategic business problems with data. Jacob and his team partner across the organization in developing and scaling data products including examples such as self-service analytics, pricing, segmentation, forecasting, and data management.

Jacob has over 15 years of experience in applying data to solve complex business problems and driving value. He has led significant enterprise software implementations as well as an integral portion of a large, complex project systems and ERP implementation. In addition to data and technology related roles, Jacob has worked in business operations and internal audit. Throughout his career he has worked in a wide range of industries including Engineering and Construction, Technology, Financial Services, and Healthcare Staffing giving him a diverse set of experiences to influence strategy and data driven transformation. He resides in Omaha with his wonderful wife and two sons.

Dave Tuttle leads a dynamic group of Research Analysts, Data Analysts, and Data Scientists dedicated to uncovering opportunities and delivering increased value to enhance Breakthrough’s sustainable fuel and freight solutions. Dave’s commitment to innovation and industry-leading expertise in data analytics drive noteworthy results for some of the world’s largest and most iconic brands. Dave’s vision is to innovate, disrupt, and redefine the transportation landscape by harnessing big data to shape the future of supply chain intelligence. Before joining Breakthrough, Dave dedicated more than 17 years to developing supply chain solutions for the automotive, aerospace, and logistics sectors. His expertise includes roles at renowned companies like General Motors, B/E Aerospace, XPO Logistics, and GXO Logistics. Dave has a Bachelor of Science degree in purchasing and supply chain, logistics, and marketing from Central Michigan University.

Ioana Mazare is an innovative executive leader with extensive experience in the logistics industry, and expertise in leveraging data, analytics, and technology to drive business outcomes. In her role as the Vice President of Enterprise Data Strategy at UPS, Ioana led the company’s first global enterprise data strategy. Leveraging her rich background and leadership skills, she implemented the first enterprise-wide program to foster a digital and data-driven culture through strategic alignment of business and technology. Ioana’s work instrumental in creating a roadmap for company’s data readiness for AI and Gen AI implementation, to propel innovation and generate significant business value for UPS.

Ioana’s career journey encompasses pivotal roles across various functions, including marketing, economics, finance, and technology. Prior to her role at UPS, she held leadership positions at TTX Company and Roadie, contributing significantly to the growth and strategic direction of these organizations.

In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Ioana is a faculty member in the Executive Master’s Program at the Transportation and Supply Chain Institute at the University of Denver (TSCI). Her commitment to education extends beyond the institute, with years of teaching experience at Western Michigan University, University of Utah, Weber State University, and Mercer University.

Ioana holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Western Michigan University. Her unique blend of industry expertise, academic achievements, and leadership roles positions her in advancing adaptive enterprise strategies to quickly address today’s dynamic market environment.

Nina Edwards serves as Vice President of Emerging Technology & Innovation at Prudential, where she plays a pivotal role in defining strategy around emerging technology as well as driving and communicating the latest technology trends that align with the company’s overarching enterprise and business strategy. Nina also nurtures strategic external partnerships, driving innovation and adoption of disruptive technologies across broader Prudential.

 Nina previously served as Global Chief of Staff and strategist at Accenture driving initiatives focused on blending technology innovation with business strategy as part of the Applied Intelligence and Growth & Strategy organizations.

Prior to Accenture, Nina was at Barclays and Credit Suisse focused on post-merger integration, technology strategy development and implementation, with the past eight years acutely focused on AI.

Umesh is a customer-obsessed business leader with over 20 years of senior leadership experience in information management. He specializes in designing and executing enterprise-wide data strategies that drive business transformation, digitization, and operational excellence, enabling innovation in dynamic business environments. Umesh’s career spans multiple sectors, including insurance, finance, education, technology, and energy, where he has delivered scalable solutions that enhance organizational performance and ensure data integrity.

As a leader, Umesh works closely with executive teams, guiding cross-functional groups to implement data-driven models that drive digital transformation initiatives. He believes that leveraging rapid data product development is key to transforming the data culture and integrating data-driven decision-making into the core of the business strategy. Umesh’s expertise includes developing scalable data architectures, integrating data across silos, and deploying cloud-based solutions to improve accessibility and flexibility. Umesh also has deep experience in business intelligence, analytics, data governance, MDM, and promoting data literacy, ensuring that data is recognized and leveraged as a strategic asset.

Recently, he has spearheaded an AI Summit at Delek, showcasing my commitment to leveraging AI and advanced analytics for business growth. His leadership style focuses on team empowerment, fostering innovation, collaboration, continuous learning, and agility, all while maintaining a strong focus on achieving business objectives.

Outside of work, Umesh deeply values time with family and friends. He is  a proud parent of two wonderful high schoolers, and  loves traveling to explore new places. In his downtime, Umesh enjoys watching cricket, football, and basketball, which keeps his passion for sports alive.

Roger is responsible for the end-to-end finance partnership across the enterprise shared services functions, including Product & Technology, HR, Legal, Finance and Strategy. He also oversees financial operations for Lowes.com, partnering with the online team to set digital business strategy and drive profitable digital commerce growth. Additionally, Roger leads the finance systems and analytics team, driving finance innovation by improving tools and data availability through AI/ML adoption to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.

Roger is passionate about building high-performing teams working towards a common goal and using technology to solve problems. He also enjoys empowering young people to be positive contributors in their communities through mentoring and coaching.

Prior to Lowe’s, Roger advanced through various finance and strategy roles at Johnson & Johnson and Fiserv. He holds a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from New Jersey City University and is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

Outside of work, Roger enjoys reading, golfing, traveling with his wife and three daughters, and supporting Arsenal FC as they strive to return to their glory days.

Tom Mazzaferro joined Truist October 2023 as the Chief Data, AI and Analytics Officer.

Tom comes from a Financial Services background across JP Morgan Chase, Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corp (HSBC) and Western Union. Throughout his time at JPMC, HSBC and Western Union, he held multiple roles across technology, data, operations, strategy, security lending, finance and risk management including credit risk, stress testing & impairments and Basel Capital. Most recently, Tom was the Chief Digital, Data, and Innovation Officer where he built a strong risk culture, drove business transformation through next-gen technology, launched five digital banks (Germany, Romania, Italy, Poland & Brazil), modernized a core-banking platform, and consolidated 34 data warehouses among other innovations.

Tom has been recognized as Top 10 leaders in AI and the Top 100 Most Influential Leaders in Data for the last 3 years. Tom drove transformation at HSBC and Western Union winning fintech of the year award in 2020 and 2021.

Mazzaferro earned an MBA from The Ohio State University and his undergraduate degree at Villanova University. When he isn’t working, Tom enjoys time with his wife and 2 kids boating, skiing, and swimming.

Christian is a seasoned supply chain executive with extensive expertise in managing domestic and global operations in the retail and distribution space.  Over the course of his career, Christian has led transformative supply chain initiatives, overseeing critical areas such as demand planning, purchasing and vendor management, global sourcing, inventory management, and transportation.  He has also been involved in the development of new formats and entries into new markets and countries.  With a passion for talent development and process optimization, he has a track record for driving significant improvements in operational efficiency and cost management.  Christian excels in fostering cross-functional collaboration and driving strategic initiatives to deliver business objectives. His forward-thinking approach has enabled organizations to thrive in complex, fast-paced environments, ensuring long-term success in the global marketplace.