Peter Aiken, an acknowledged Data Management (DM) authority, is an Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, past President DAMA International, and Associate Director of the MIT International Society of Chief Data Officers.

For more than 35 years, Peter has learned from working with hundreds of data management practices in 30 countries including some of the world's most important.

Among his 10 books are the first on CDOs (the case for data leadership), the first describing the monetization data for profit/good, and the first on modern strategic data thinking.

International recognition has resulted in an intensive schedule of events worldwide. Peter also hosts the longest running DM webinar series (hosted by dataversity.net).

From 1999 (before Google, before data was big, and before data science), he founded Data Blueprint, a consulting firm that helped more than 150 organizations leverage data for profit, improvement, competitive advantage and operational efficiencies. His latest venture is Anything Awesome.
 

Chapter Affiliation: DAMA Central Virginia

A transformative leader cultivating a data-centric culture, Peter specializes in guiding organizations to monetize data as a product. With extensive experience in strategic and tactical data management and governance initiatives, he collaborates with C-suite executives and external partners. Peter excels in assembling high-performance teams in both IT and business, adeptly managing vendors, championing enterprise standards, and spearheading cost-effective solutions. His proven track record spans across Consumer Electronics, Telecom, Oil & Gas, Property and Casualty Insurance, Automotive F&I, and Risk Management industries, accumulating over 25 years of expertise in data management, governance, and analytics.

Committed to continuous education, Peter holds certifications in CDMP, CBIP, PMP, SSBBC, TOGAF, CIPM, among others. Peter serves on the BOD of DAMA International. As the founding President and current Treasurer of DAMA Georgia, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization. Peter also serves on the board of TAG Data Governance Society. Currently, he is employed at Equifax, serving as a member of the Enterprise Data Office leadership team.

Chapter Affiliation: DAMA Minnesota

Frank Kadwell, PhD, is data management specialist with over twenty years of experience in the IT industry.  Frank has been in data management for approximately twenty years.  Frank is Co-Founder of D3 Information Services, a small boutique consulting firm in the US and specifically Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Frank and D3 assist companies with many data management challenges including strategy, architecture, and development.  Frank has consulted in many verticals including financial services, retail, manufacturing, and health care.  In addition, Frank has been on the Minnesota DAMA chapter board for three years.  Frank is involved with local data meetups and academic organizations.  Frank earned his PhD in 2019.  Feel free to reach out to Frank on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-kadwell-phd-9095aa3/.

Marilu is co-founder and data management consultant in SEGDA, a firm focused on helping organizations define their Data Strategies and implement their Data Management Operating Models. She´s co-founder, and past president of the DAMA Mexico Chapter; former DAMA Regional Coordinator for Latin America; former   Presidents' Council Chairperson, and currently DAMA Chapter Services VP.  She worked for 32 years in the financial sector with one of the leading banks in Mexico, dedicating more than 15 years to Data Management practices. Marilu holds a CDMP   Master level, specialized in Data Governance and Data Quality, and a CIMP (Certified Information Management Professional) in Data Governance, Data Quality, and Information Management issued by eLearning Curve. She is also a TOGAF-certified professional, by The Open Group.

She is an enthusiastic speaker at international conferences, highlighting her participation in events such as EDW and DGIQ.

Chapter Affiliation: German Chapter DAMA-I
Ekkehard is co-founder of the German Chapter and is still serving as its president.

Ekkehard started his career in data management over three decades ago as a database administrator. A strong focus on the business value of data characterized his work as a consultant for data integration, data warehousing and data quality at various telecommunications, insurance and financial companies. For more than ten years Ekkehard has now been working as a data governance evangelist and specialist.

VP Conference Services DAMA-I for 6 years
President DAMA Chicago twice
Serve on 2 local Board of Directors
CDMP Fellow

Chapter Affiliation: DAMA Chicago

Ronald Baan is a data management professional with over 35 years of experience in data management, knowledge management, and document management. He is passionate about making data easier to use and better managed so it can provide value to organizations. As an experienced data management trainer and mentor, a data architect and senior data officer, he has a proven track record of helping organizations implement effective data management practices. Though a technical enthusiast, Ronald's focus is on people and process, knowledge, and culture to make data work.

Ronald's dedication to the data management community is evident in his leadership roles within DAMA. As the President of DAMA NL, he has direct responsibilities in leading the Dutch Chapter, promoting data management knowledge and certification, and managing partnerships and international relations. His commitment to training individuals and organizations in the DAMA DMBoK and beyond showcases his passion for sharing knowledge and advancing the field. Moreover, his experience as Founder & Trainer of Mastering Data has equipped him with the skills to create and deliver effective training programs for data management professionals, including CDOs, Data Stewards, BI developers, data owners, and Data Officers.

These qualities, combined with his deep understanding of data management principles, and his ability to connect with people, communicate complex ideas effectively, and champion the value of data will be instrumental in driving DAMA's global marketing initiatives and promoting data management education worldwide.

Michel is an IT professional with more than 40 years of experience, mostly in business software development. He has been involved in multiple data modeling and data interoperability activities. Over the last 7 years, as an independent consultant, he worked on data quality initiatives, metadata management, data modeling as well as data governance implementation projects. He has a master’s degree in software engineering, member of DAMA International since 2017, and is certified CDMP (master) since 2019. He currently consults on a large application development project as lead data management/modeling, teaches introduction to data governance, data quality, and data security at Université de Sherbrooke and translates books on data governance and management.

Loretta Mahon Smith is a visionary and influential data management professional known for her consistent awareness of developing industry trends.  Her extensive experience in strategic data management includes significant depth for the financial services industry.  Loretta is an executive with IBM Global Business Services, supporting clients in North America.  She is the Global Lead for the GBS Data Governance Center of Excellence.

Loretta has been a member of DAMA International for more than 20 years, with a lifetime membership to the DAMA National Capitol Region Chapter. As Past President of the chapter she has had the opportunity to help the Washington DC and Baltimore data management communities.    She has the world community by her involvement on the DAMA International Board as VP of Marketing and Communications.

She earned Certified Computing Professional (CCP), Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP), and Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)

Additional information about Loretta is available through her LinkedIn profile (Public Profile www.linkedin.com/in/lorettamahonsmith/. She resides in Phoenix, Maryland, USA.  Her twitter handle is @silverdata

John A. Zachman is the originator of the “Framework for Enterprise Architecture” (The Zachman Framework™) which has received broad acceptance around the world as an integrative framework, an ontology for descriptive representations for Enterprises. Mr. Zachman is not only known for this work on Enterprise Architecture, but is also known for his early contributions to IBM’s Information Strategy methodology (Business Systems Planning) as well as to their Executive team planning techniques (Intensive Planning). Mr. Zachman retired from IBM in 1990, having served them for 26 years. He is Chief Executive Officer of his own education and consulting business, Zachman International® and Owner and Executive Director of the Federated Enterprise Architecture Certification Institute in Washington, D.C. Mr. Zachman serves on the Executive Council for Information Management and Technology (ECIMT) of the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) and on the Advisory Board of the Data Administration Management Association International (DAMA-I) from whom he was awarded the 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award. He was awarded the 2009 Enterprise Architecture Professional Lifetime Achievement Award from the Center for Advancement of the Enterprise Architecture Profession as well as the 2004 Oakland University, Applied Technology in Business (ATIB), Award for IS Excellence and Innovation. In August 2011, he was awarded the Gen. Colin Powell Public Sector Image Award by the Armed Services Alliance Program. In November 2013 he was acknowledged for Achievement and Excellence for Distinguished Innovative Academic Contribution by the IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics Society Technical Committees on Enterprise Information Systems and on Enterprise Architecture and Engineering. Mr. Zachman has been focusing on Enterprise Architecture since 1970 and has written extensively on the subject. He has facilitated innumerable executive team planning sessions. He travels nationally and internationally, teaching and consulting, and is a popular conference speaker, known for his motivating messages on Enterprise Architecture issues. He has spoken to many thousands of enterprise managers and information professionals on every continent. In addition to his professional activities, Mr. Zachman serves on the Elder Council of the Church on the Way (First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys, California), the Board of Directors of Living Way Ministries, a radio and television ministry of the Church on the Way, the President’s Cabinet of the King’s College University, the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Citywide Children’s Christian Choir, the Board of Directors of Heavenworks, an international ministry to the French-speaking world and on the Board of Directors of Native Hope International, a Los Angeles-based ministry to the Native American people. Prior to joining IBM, Mr. Zachman served as a line officer in the United States Navy and is a retired Commander in the U. S. Naval Reserve. He chaired a panel on "Planning, Development and Maintenance Tools and Methods Integration" for the U. S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. He holds a degree in Chemistry from Northwestern University, has taught at Tufts University, has served on the Board of Councilors for the School of Library and Information Management at the University of Southern California, as a Special Advisor to the School of Library and Information Management at Emporia State University, on the Advisory Council to the School of Library and Information Management at Dominican University and on the Advisory Board for the Data Resource Management Program at the University of Washington. He has been a Fellow for the College of Business Administration of the University of North Texas and currently is listed in Cambridge Who’s Who.

Chapter Affiliation: 

Zachman International

Data Evangelist at InfoAdvisors.  Trainer, Consultant, Writer, and Investor.  30 years as a DAMA member of some sort. Former chapter president (Toronto IRMAC).

DAHenderson Consulting

Fellow - DAMA CDMP

President - Information Resource Mgt Assn of Canada www.irmac.ca

Senior Editor and Program Director - DAMA-DMBOK www.dama.org

Past VP Education - DAMA International
 

Chapter Affiliation: DAMA UK

Mikitaka (Mick) Hayashi, Chairman of DAMA Japan, Asian Pacific Regional Chapter Coordinator, CDMP Data Modeling Practitioner, ISO TC184 Member has 32-year experience of System Architecture and 22-year experience of Data Management in various industry.  He is currently working in Oil & Gas industry and leading data-centric project execution. 

He is chief translator of DMBOK 2 Japanese version (DAMA Data Management Excellence Award 2019) and a frequent speaker in EDW (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2017) and other conferences in Japan.

Chapter Affiliation: DAMA Japan

Data management has been my focus throughout my career. My earlier DBA years taught me quickly that data was critical to all business processes. My “Data is an Asset” mantra came to me early, garnering me the title “the data guy” in many places I worked. I progressed from hands-on DBA roles to building out an enterprise information management department responsible for all of the DMBoK disciplines. I realized it did not matter what industry I worked in; the corporate data was central to where quality, accuracy, and business confidence were all paramount. I worked in many verticals, including utility, transportation, retail, government, and services. The last number of years has me as a hands-on enterprise information architect building corporate information models and integrating data discipline activities into business and IT processes. And, of course, all the while promoting data as the centre of the universe, using the DAMA DMBoK as an instruction guide.

Founding member and currently DAMA Calgary president and treasurer.

MBA, con especialización en Gestión de Tecnología e Ingeniero de Sistemas, experiencia en Dirección de Empresas de Consultoría y Servicios de TICs; reconocida trayectoria en la gestión integral de Proyectos de TICs, tomando como punto de partida la estrategia corporativa con el objetivo de Generar y Preservar Valor. Dominio de de las mejores prácticas en Gestión Empresarial y de TI como: DMBoK, TOGAF, PMP, COBIT, ITIL, ISO 9000, ISO 20000, ISO 27000, BS 25999, ValIT y RiskIT. Experiencia comprobada en la implementación de proyectos de Tecnologías de Información tales como:

TRANSFORMACIÓN DIGITAL, ARQUITECTURA EMPRESARIAL, ARQUITECTURA DE DATOS, GOBIERNO DE DATOS, BI, BA, SOA, BPM, SEGURIDAD y CONTINUIDAD.

Over 30 years of data management and executive experience both in the US and China. MBA, has been providing data-related training and consulting services to both government agencies and commercial companies. Clients include Bank of American, GE, Boeing, GM, KPMG, AOL, Google, U.S. Department of the Treasury, GEICO, etc. Published 6 data related books, including the most recent “CDO Body of Knowledge”. Taught data-related courses at Brown Univ., Shanghai Jiaotong Univ., etc.  Currently also hold the position as president of DAMA Shanghai.

Deron Hook is a certified data management professional passionate about people, data, and formulating strategies that utilize both to their highest potential. He is currently the Director of Data Governance and Management at American Express and has experience creating foundational data governance programs at various companies in the financial services industry. In his current role, he is building the data governance team in the Global Merchant and Network Services business unit at American Express using foundational initiatives such as metadata management, data stewardship, and data quality management.

Deron is a recognized data leader, has served on various boards, including serving as the current President of DAMA-Phoenix, and was a Chief Data Officer (CDO) summer school graduate by Carruthers & Jackson. He received his MBA with a concentration in data analytics from Purdue University and is also a proud Brigham Young University graduate and Cougar sports fan. He and his wife have five children and live in Phoenix, Arizona.

With over 10 years of experience in IT and data management, I am currently the Data Governance Practice Lead at a global technology consulting and services company. My career spans key industries, including retail, financial services, insurance, and e-commerce, where I’ve led transformative projects in data governance, data quality, enterprise data architecture and data platforms.

Guided by the belief that “Data Management is a strategic business capability” I specialize in leveraging frameworks like the DAMA DMBoK and TOGAF to design and implement robust data management solutions that deliver measurable business value. My expertise has positioned me as a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, driving impactful initiatives on a global scale. My portfolio includes number of strategic connections and partners, including major cloud providers.

As the Founder and President of DAMA Ukraine Kyiv chapter, I actively contribute to the global data management community, sharing my insights through conference presentations and industry thought leadership. I am a Certified Data Management Professional – Practitioner, further demonstrating my commitment to advancing the profession and promoting best practices in data management.

Karim Elhelaly is a seasoned Egyptian attorney specializing in Intellectual Property (IP) and Data Law. He has honed his skills in strategy design and governance programs, actively participating in the protection, commercialization, and enforcement of intellectual property across a wide array of industries.

As President of DAMA Egypt Chapter, Karim's focus on promoting data literacy and raising data awareness and availing educational platform to enhance the career path for data professionals and the data community.​

Gina brings over 20 years of extensive experience in managing professional associations. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership in various roles, including her position as Executive Director at Computer Science Canada, where she successfully stabilized the organization's finances and enhanced member services. At TechNation, Canada's ICT trade association, she spearheaded the development of the Talent Division, where she developed and managed major federal grants for innovative workforce development programs. Gina's expertise also extends to developing and managing accreditation and professional certification programs, as evidenced by her work with the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS), the Canadian Coalition for Tomorrow's ICT Skills (CCICT), and the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) IP3 initiative, where she established national learning standards and developed ISO-aligned certification and accreditation programs. Her strategic vision and collaborative approach have consistently driven transformational change and innovation in the non-profit sector.

John has over 20 years’ experience as a Chief Information Officer for several large grocery wholesaler and retailers. He served as a technology advisory commissioner for the Governor of New Mexico and as a board member of the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico.

As an independent consultant, John managed large scale projects for Lowe’s Home Improvement,  Burger King, McDonald's, US Food Service, Smithfield Foods, Capital One, LandAmerica and others.

As a data management consultant John worked with Reynolds, American Tobacco, and the State of Arizona providing data analysis and cloud computing advice and services. John was an IBM and Univac computer programmer in the US Air Force.

Mathias Vercauteren is a trailblazer in the world of data governance with over a decade of expertise transforming organizations. As the president and principal of Data Vantage Consulting, Mathias collaborates with top executives across industries to implement practical data governance frameworks that work and are widely adopted. Known for his ability to bring order to chaotic data management, he also trains and coaches teams to foster a lasting culture of data literacy and ownership. In addition to consulting, Mathias is pursuing an Executive PhD in Data Governance at Antwerp Management School, conducting research that bridges theory and practice. A sought-after speaker at conferences like DAIA, DGIQ, and EDW, Mathias consistently explores innovative ways to leverage data for business success. He is also establishing an international research institute to advance data governance through academic research and practical industry solutions.