CDAO Benelux 2025 schedule

During this 5-minute networking session, the aim of the game is to go and meet two people you don't already know.  

AI is revolutionizing critical industries—from infrastructure to energy—where stakes are high and responsible innovation is essential. In this keynote, we’ll explore how to build a bold yet ethical AI and data strategy that delivers real business impact, especially in complex, regulated environments. Learn how to align your data foundations with AI goals, foster diverse innovation, and embed trust at the core of your roadmap. 

Key Takeaways: 

• 4 steps to design an integrated AI roadmap—prioritizing value, identifying key resources, and removing adoption barriers. 

• 3 approaches to foster ethical, explainable AI development using clean and well-governed data. 

• 2 principles to assess and maximize the real-world impact of AI using data-driven metrics. 

• Converging tech, data, and transformation agendas 

• Cross-functional KPIs: data and digital alignment in action 

• Driving embedded intelligence across customer and operational journeys 

• Creating data agility in highly regulated industries 

• From strategy to execution: enabling scalable digital ecosystems 

Moderator: Armando Pais do Amaral, Head of Data Science and Technology – VANWONEN 

Deepayan Roy, Global Analytics Manager, Procurement Excellence – VATTENFALL 

Tim Ottens, Senior Data Scientist – POSTNL 

• What infrastructure is needed to support real-time insight delivery? 

• Applying streaming analytics in logistics, finance, and operations 

• Use cases for operational dashboards vs. strategic BI 

• How to create fast, trusted feedback loops in business processes 

• Architecting for performance: latency, cost, and data volume 

In today’s data-driven world, data errors and inconsistencies have significant business impact—from disrupting decision-making and risking compliance to undermining AI and analytics initiatives. This discussion brings together industry leaders to explore the toughest challenges in maintaining data accuracy, including incomplete or inconsistent data, data silos, compliance risks, integration complexities, and ensuring end-to-end data integrity. 

Key Topics: 

• Addressing the top data integrity challenges in complex environments 

• Automating data validation to ensure compliance and reduce risk 

• Supporting scalable AI/ML initiatives with high-quality data 

Moderator: Uwe Klemt, Enterprise Solution Architect – TRICENTIS  

Anna Bisch, Program Director IT, Digitalization and AI – SHELL ALUMNI 

This session explores how organizations are empowering business units to make informed, agile decisions by embedding data across all workflows. 

• Aligning data with shifting business priorities in uncertain times 

• Creating fast feedback loops between insight and action 

• Making data accessible to decision-makers beyond the data team 

• Enabling line-of-business leaders with guided analytics 

• Identifying and scaling “quick-win” use cases
  

Tamas Fogarasi, Director of Data & Analytics – KCC Property Holdings 

Kamalika Ghosh, Head of Data Strategy & Engineering – PHILIPS 

Opening Question: Share who you are, your organisation, and your role -- and perhaps how did you end up in data & AI? 

• How are you involved in AI projects today? 

• What governance approach is being applied in those projects / at your organisation? 

• How does that differ from previous data governance programs? 

Closing Question: In 1 sentence share with the audience what you want them to remember, or what would you say to your younger self just leaving school today? 

Moderator: Stijn Christiaens, Founder and Chief Data Citizen – COLLIBRA  

Anna Bisch, Program Director IT, Digitalization and AI – SHELL ALUMNI 

Lance Cameron, Principal Owner - Cameron Consulting 

• How cost dynamics are rapidly shifting the balance between ML and AI, and why in many domains AI is starting to replace ML. 
• Real-world use cases where EAG has accelerated adoption of applied AI in the last 12 months — what’s possible now that wasn’t before. 
• New frontiers of automation unlocked by AI advancements, such as voice agents and other operational innovations. 
• Benchmarks from experimenting with multiple AI providers: strengths, weaknesses, and practical lessons learned. 
• What these changes mean for leaders planning their AI strategy in 2025 and beyond. 

AI is transforming both how metadata is managed and how it drives value across organizations. In this session, Actian’s Chief Evangelist Ole Olesen-Bagneux explores how AI streamlines metadata processes — eliminating manual work, improving discoverability, and unlocking new levels of intelligence. Learn how metadata is evolving from a back-office necessity into a strategic catalyst for innovation, governance, and trustworthy AI. 

Key Discussion Points: 

• How AI is reshaping metadata management and reducing manual overhead 

• The role of metadata in enabling trustworthy, scalable AI initiatives 

• Moving metadata from technical function to strategic business asset 
• Designing metadata architectures that balance automation with governance 

Ole Olesen-Bagneux, VP, Chief Evangelist - ACTIAN 

A frank conversation about how GenAI is reshaping team structures, leadership responsibilities, and data strategy across industries. 

• What’s the evolving role of the CDAO? 

• Redefining data literacy in the age of GenAI 

• Balancing innovation with control and governance 

• Managing cross-functional data teams: what’s changed? 

• How to lead through uncertainty and fast-moving change 

Olivier Maugain, Data Governance & Activation Manager – IKEA 

Kamalika Ghosh, Head of Data Strategy & Engineering – PHILIPS 

Session Overview: 

AI is reshaping how organizations scale innovation, transform operations, and empower their workforce. Drawing from his experience leading large-scale digital and AI transformation initiatives, Utku will share practical lessons on what it takes to drive measurable change — from strategy to execution. 

Key Talking Points: 

• How the rise of agentic AI is accelerating enterprise transformation 

• Lessons from scaling AI across global organizations — where to start and what to avoid 

• How leadership, culture, and workforce transformation determine AI success 

• The evolving role of consulting and partnerships in driving enterprise AI adoption 

• Reflections on staying relevant and adaptive in an era of constant technological change 

Utku Baris Pazar, Former Chief Strategy and Digital Officer – BEKO CORPORATE 

• Building digital process twins starts with honesty: organizations shall know their real processes. 

• Without structured, clean, and contextualized data, the digital twin is just a digital hallucination. 

• Process mining is not magic—it’s a forensic exercise that demands deep operational and data knowledge 

• The hardest part isn’t the process mining itself—it’s starting with aligning fragmented systems, undocumented workflows, and tribal business logic. 

• Hard to apply a ready-to-use process twin—you earn it through relentless mapping, validation, and iteration. 

In large, complex organizations, turning data into tangible business value requires more than technology — it demands cultural change, strong governance, and a clear roadmap. This panel brings together senior leaders from diverse industries to share how they are aligning data strategy with business priorities, overcoming adoption challenges, and delivering measurable impact. 

Discussion Points 

• Ensuring data strategy is directly tied to business objectives from the outset 

• Overcoming cultural barriers to data-driven transformation 

• Measuring and communicating the business value of data initiatives to leadership and stakeholders 

• Applying governance frameworks and processes to scale data capabilities responsibly 

• Balancing innovation with operational stability during infrastructure modernization 

• Lessons learned from failed or stalled data projects that shaped current approaches 

Gaurav Singhal, Head of Data Monetization – COFRA HOLDING AG 

Muhammad Imran Senior Manager Data Science & AI, D&A – COCA COLA EUROPACIFIC PARTNERS 

Bassma Elrafie, Principal Data and Tech Consultant – ZALANDO SE 

Ilja Hermans, Data Strategy Director, Global Insights and Analytics – PHILIPS 

Description: 
As GenAI becomes embedded across organizations, it’s redefining how data is owned, accessed, and acted upon. This roundtable brings together data and AI leaders from across sectors to discuss how to balance innovation with accountability, ensure ethical ownership of insights, and futureproof governance structures. 

Discussion Points: 

• Who owns the value created by GenAI? Business, tech, or the customer? 

• How is GenAI shifting the role of the CDO, CIO, and business leaders? 

• Empowering product and domain teams to responsibly use LLMs 

• The rise of internal data marketplaces — trend or transformation? 

• How to avoid decentralisation chaos: platform strategy, trust, and standards 

Participants: 

Olivier Maugain, Data Governance & Activation Manager – IKEA 

Bassma Elrafie, Principal Data and Tech Consultant – ZALANDO SE 

Bruno Avila, Head of Digitalization, Process and Information – CITY OF AMSTERDAM 

Discover the pivotal role of leadership in fostering a data-driven culture that propels organisational success. Dive into dynamic strategies, industry best practices, and cutting-edge techniques that empower leaders to inspire change and drive transformation. Learn how to implement effective data governance frameworks, nurture data literacy initiatives, and align organisational goals with a data-driven mindset. Unlock the benefits of improved decision-making, operational efficiency, and gaining a competitive edge.  

• Can leadership be the spark that ignites a data revolution within your organisation? 
• How can leaders drive a cultural transformation that unleashes the power of data-driven decision-making? 
• What strategies and techniques can leaders employ to cultivate a data-centric environment that inspires change and fuels innovation? 
• Are you ready to take the reins and become a catalyst for organisational growth by harnessing the full potential of leadership in cultivating a data-driven culture? 

Get ready to unravel the secrets of data governance in an immersive session that cracks the code for ROI and business value. We'll navigate the complex terrain of data governance, shedding light on its pillars and principles, empowering you to take the bull by the horns. Discover industry best practices and frameworks like DAMA-DMBOK and COBIT, equipping you with the tools to design and implement a tailored data governance strategy. By the end of the session, you'll be armed with the knowledge to unleash the power of data governance, ensuring your organisation is sailing smooth waters and reaping the fruits of data-driven success. 

• What hidden gems lie within real-world case studies, demonstrating the transformative potential of data governance in driving measurable ROI and unlocking valuable business outcomes? 
• Ignite sustained ROI and business value by implementing data governance champions, leveraging automation tools, and fostering a culture of data accountability. 
• What is the recipe for achieving effective data governance with ROI? 
• Proven strategies to fortify data security and brave the storm of risks in the IoT ecosystem. 

Explore the intricate realm of AI risks, encompassing safety, security, fairness, data privacy, and bias. Gain insights into upcoming European AI regulations and their crucial requirements. Unveil efforts to standardise AI and delve into rigorous safety and security assessments. 

• Are AI's boundless possibilities worth the potential risks it carries? Delve into the world of AI risks, from safety and security to fairness and data privacy. How can we strike the perfect balance between innovation and protection? 
• What do the upcoming European AI regulations demand from businesses and organisations? Unravel the essential requirements to navigate the evolving AI landscape successfully. How can compliance lead to enhanced trust and credibility in the AI-powered future? 
• How do we build an unyielding fortress of safety around AI applications? Delve into the world of AI safety and security assessments. What strategies and frameworks can empower us to stay one step ahead of potential threats and challenges? 

Join us for an immersive session where we embark on an extraordinary journey into the world of MLOps. Brace yourself for an insightful exploration of transforming prototypes into robust, scalable MLOps platforms. Discover the secrets of a proven Reference Architecture Framework, designed to streamline deployment pipelines and optimise model performance. Gain practical knowledge on conquering scalability challenges and maximising operational efficiency. Immerse yourself in real-world case studies, industry best practices, and actionable strategies that will empower you to build a successful MLOps infrastructure. Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionise your AI journey and elevate your organisation to new heights of success! 

• How can you metamorphose your machine learning prototypes into potent, scalable MLOps platforms that drive business triumph? 
• What are the pivotal strategies and techniques to optimise model performance, streamline deployment pipelines, and surmount scalability challenges in the realm of MLOps? 
• Fancy revolutionising your AI journey? Join us to delve into a tried-and-tested Reference Architecture Framework that empowers organisations to maximise operational efficiency and achieve unrivalled success in the realm of Machine Learning Operations. 

• Adapting delivery models of in-house analytics teams to cater to changing appetite of your organization 
• Maintaining the focus on People, Processes and Performance during organizational transformations 
• The need to embrace and evolve change management tactics 

In today's data-driven world, the demand for skilled data analytics professionals continues to outpace the available talent pool. Our panelists will share insights on attracting, developing, and retaining top talent in the data analytics field, including the role of education, upskilling programs, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and best practices from leading organizations. Join us for a dynamic discussion that will help you navigate the talent gap and stay competitive in the data-driven era. 

• How can organisations effectively bridge the data analytics talent gap in an increasingly competitive job market? 
• What innovative approaches and partnerships are being leveraged to provide accessible and relevant data analytics education and training? 
• In the pursuit of diversity and inclusion, what strategies are proving successful in attracting a more varied pool of data analytics professionals, and how does this impact the industry as a whole? 

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, safeguarding sensitive information is a critical imperative for businesses. Effectively protecting data requires a cohesive and strategic information security plan that aligns seamlessly with the overarching business strategy. This session delves into the essential practice of linking information security strategy to business strategy, exploring the benefits and challenges of this fusion. By forging a strong connection between the fort of information security and the fortune of the business, organizations can bolster their resilience against cyber risks while unlocking opportunities for strategic growth and competitive advantage. The session will examine practical methodologies to bridge the gap between these two domains, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, risk assessment, and continuous adaptation. Attendees will gain valuable insights into cultivating a harmonious integration of information security and business strategies, empowering their enterprises to fortify their digital defenses and thrive in the face of ever-changing cyber threats. 

Muge Guclu, Senior Data Scientist at SHELL, will be leading a presentation on the transformative force of citizen development in our ever-evolving technological landscape. During her session, she will delve into critical aspects of this phenomenon, including democratization, scaling-up, and governance/security. Muge's expertise in data science and her experience at SHELL make her a knowledgeable guide in exploring how citizen development empowers individuals to actively shape the future of technology. She will provide valuable insights into scaling-up grassroots innovations for broader societal impact while emphasizing the importance of governance and security in this dynamic field. Don't miss the opportunity to hear from Muge Guclu and gain a deeper understanding of how citizen development is reshaping the digital world.