CEO Tech Live

Why AI Fails Without Better Data (T. Rowe Price Chief Data Officer, Kevin Bates)

AI isn’t magic. Kevin Bates, Chief Data Officer at T. Rowe Price, made the clearest case I’ve heard for why so many companies are stuck with AI. Everyone wants the AI breakthrough. But Kevin says the real blocker is often much less exciting: fragmented data legacy systems unclear ownership poor data quality decades of complexity When ChatGPT first exploded, a lot of leaders thought AI might magically work around messy data. Kevin says the opposite happened. AI made data quality more important, not less. Because if your data is broken, fragmented, or trapped in brittle legacy systems, AI won’t transform the business. It will expose the weakness. And Kevin’s warning is important to consider: If your data keeps you from adopting the next generation of tools, you’re not going to compete. Your AI strategy is only as strong as your data, and Kevin gives us a powerful playbook for where to start! Follow Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-bates-69b3002?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios --- The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology. Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/

Inside Microsoft’s AI Leadership Playbook (COO of Microsoft Americas, Tracy Galloway)

Tracy Galloway, Corporate Vice President and COO of Microsoft Americas, shares a powerful framework that every leader needs right now... ...how too keep your leadership impactful while technology moves faster than ever. This isn't AI hype. It's a real conversation about: • nonstop learning • proving AI ROI • tackling burnout • staying present with teams while everything changes Too many leaders keep layering on: • AI initiatives • meetings • reporting • workflows without taking anything off people’s plates. And eventually leaders wake up wondering why their teams are overwhelmed, disconnected, and losing momentum. The leaders who win in the AI era won’t just adopt new technology… they’ll learn how to lead differently. Follow Tracy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trgalloway/ --- The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology. Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/

AI Amplified Expertise: What Every CIO Needs to Know - Kelly M Fisher

In the middle of massive transformation, one question keeps surfacing in every boardroom: Are we behind on AI? Kelly Fisher, Chief Practice Partner at Wipfli, hears it from leaders every day. Her answer reframes the conversation: “AI isn’t replacing your expertise — it’s amplifying it.” She calls it "Amplified Expertise" — the idea that AI, when used intentionally, helps leaders and their teams make smarter decisions, deliver deeper insights, and free up time for what truly matters. For CIOs and technology leaders, that means: -Modeling adoption instead of delegating it. -Building readiness — data, infrastructure, and culture — so your teams can move from experimentation to enterprise-level execution. -Guiding with empathy as people adapt to new tools and new expectations. Kelly also reminded us that innovation starts with people, not platforms “Bring the joy back to the work that got you in the game in the first place.” A simple but powerful call to every leader navigating AI and digital transformation today. Follow Kelly on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-m-fisher-jd-cpa-mst-9258b23/ --- The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology. Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/

Why CIOs Can’t Rely on Data Alone (Richard Brown, LV= Business Transformation Director)

We live in a world overflowing with dashboards, KPIs, and reports. But here’s the hard truth: the numbers don’t always tell you the full story. Rich Brown, Business Transformation Director at LV=, shared a lesson every leader needs to hear: 👉 Early in his career, all the stats said a project was on track. 👉 But his gut told him something wasn’t right. 👉 He ignored it — and later wished he had. That moment changed his leadership forever. Now, he always digs deeper when that nagging doubt shows up. Because while data is essential, instinct is the missing signal. As leaders, especially CIOs, the pressure to be “data-driven” is immense. But true transformation comes when you: -Trust your gut AND the spreadsheets -Ask the uncomfortable questions -Lean into intuition as a strategic asset Your people, your culture, and your instincts will often surface the truth before the metrics do. Because at the end of the day — it’s not just about technology or process. It’s about people. 💡 How often do you trust your gut as a leader, even when the numbers say otherwise? Follow Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ribrown/ --- The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology. Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/

From Help Desk to CIO (The Leader Who Made it Possible) - Wintrust Financial Corporation, Mike Ryan

From help desk to CIO. That’s the remarkable journey of Mike Ryan, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Wintrust Financial Corporation. In this episode, Mike reveals how he transformed his career from marketing to IT leadership, ultimately rising to the C-suite after nearly three decades at Wintrust. Along the way, he embraced risks, learned through failure, and carried forward the leadership wisdom and advice of a true mentorswho believed in him. You’ll discover: -The pivotal moment that launched Mike’s mission to lead from the top. -How a single career mistake reshaped his leadership approach. -Why creating a culture that supports failure leads to stronger teams. -What it really takes to move from the ground floor to the executive level. If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible when you bet on yourself — and your people — this conversation will inspire you to see your own path from where you are now to where you want to be. Follow Mike on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-ryan-6bb3262/ --- The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology. Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/