Amar Lingam
CDAO (augmented AI)
Amazon Web Services
Amar Lingam is the global enterprise leader of AI, data science and analytics for CDW. Prior to this, he was the Chief Data Officer at CA Technologies and he has more than 20 years of experience in technology, marketing, digital and data.
Learn more about the Dallas CDAO community here.
Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
I have always had a passion for enabling business value and understanding business operations. After starting my career in defense as a rocket scientist, I later worked with Citibank, and then Snapfish, where I led product development and enablement. In time, I became the Chief Data Officer for CA Technologies followed by my current position at CDW where I created a brand-new data science and analytics strategy.
Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to work in different domains from defense, banking, start-ups, Software, SAAS and retail. I have completed two digital transformation implementations, working with CRM, CPQ, Rev Rec, ERP, BW, DW, Data, Data Science, Analytics and AI with internal and external customers. I frequently collaborate across the business with Sales, Marketing, Digital, Supply Chain, Partners, Vendors and Services, and all of this gives me a unique perspective of technology and data.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
Inclusive leadership, adapting to change, empowering my teams, openness and transparency, and creating a business-oriented approach are the principles that I follow, and I encourage others on my teams to inculcate.
With disruption being a key theme of the past few years, where do you see your role as a CDAO going in the next 1-2 years?
Disruption is always the key for more innovation. In the role of CDAO, we always have to be ready for new technologies and approaches that are reshaping the space. Generative AI with LLMs like ChatGPT, DALLE have changed the perspective of the data and analytics community and general public, as well. This has the potential to become the largest app store.
Embracing and innovating with such industry trends will be the core competency for the CDAO/CDO functions. Creating products as compared to building dashboards for providing insights is another trend that will continue to evolve.
Among all of these, the CDAO role must have the proper backing with the right level of leadership and empowerment, have the right relationships with internal and external stakeholders and showcase business value throughout the strategy. Building and retaining top talent is also a continuous process as a part of this role.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the role as a CDAO?
Reach out and form business relationships from all parts of the organization, create efficiencies through solid financial planning, showcase the business value, engage stakeholders’ interests iteratively and create positive and inspiring teamwork and collaboration.
Tell us 3 fun facts about yourself.
- I love farming and gardening.
- I am an avid cook.
- I have my own YouTube channel on cooking.
What is the value of joining an Evanta community?
Evanta has the right framework and model which gives peer data and analytics leaders a platform to share ideas, learn from each other, hear the industry trends, network and contribute to the D&A community in general.
Evanta Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.
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