Building the Future of Unified Intelligence
**Please Note** All sessions are listed in Central Time
Drake Foyer
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
2024-05-01
Registration Opens
10:30 AM - 6:00 PM
10:30 AM
6:00 PM
Grand Ballroom
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
2024-05-01
Navigating Market Volatility: The Art of the Possible
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
<p>In this interactive kickoff to Analytics Unite, we’ll explore common challenges around forecasting and dig into a range of retail case studies demonstrating how they leveraged data, machine learning, and other technologies to reduce error and yield significant impact. Join us for a boxed lunch and bring your questions to learn how to develop a cohesive view of demand.</p>
Ashish Bharara
Supply Chain Director
Amazon
French
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
2024-05-01
Workshop: AI and Analytics Strategies to Enable Unified Intelligence
12:00 PM - 1:45 PM
12:00 PM
1:45 PM
<p>Leveraging analytics for a unified view of your customer is critical for driving innovation, efficiencies, and revenue. This interactive workshop will provide a deep dive into the practical applications of AI-driven analytics in unified intelligence. Participants will break into groups and engage in hands-on exercises that demonstrate how to leverage analytics for gaining deep customer insights, optimizing operations, and enhancing marketing strategies. Connect with your peers and discover new methods for meeting the expectations of tomorrow's consumers.</p>
<p><strong>**Exclusive to CG and Retail Attendees**</strong></p>
Iwao Fusillo
Global Head of Data & Analytics - PepsiCo eCommerce
PepsiCo
Iwao Fusillo serves as the Head of Data Engineering & Intelligence for PepsiCo’s eCommerce division. He is responsible for developing PepsiCo’s eCommerce analytics vision & strategy for its in-house analytic solutions for pricing, media & search marketing, promotions, inventory management and sales operations. To execute this vision & strategy, Iwao is managing top-tier talent in eCommerce data engineering, analytics, machine learning and business intelligence as well as overseeing PepsiCo’s relationships with both 2nd and 3rd party data providers.
Prior to PepsiCo, Iwao was General Motors’ (GM) Chief Data & Analytics Officer where he was responsible for the company’s CRM, customer lifetime value and hybrid cloud migrations. Iwao was also GM’s data evangelist for its extensive community of data analytic and ML/AI professionals and was a member of the investment board for GM Ventures. Prior to GM, Iwao was the NFL’s Senior Vice President of Data & Analytics with a remit to improve the safety of the game of football, grow the league’s fanbase, and identify the key drivers of fan engagement across television, digital, and social media channels. Prior to the NFL, Iwao was the Global Head of Data Strategy & Insights for American Express Company’s (AXP) Commercial Payments Division where his responsibilities included data governance, database management, sales and marketing optimization and client data products. While at AXP, Iwao was also the Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions. Prior to AXP, Iwao was a vice president in Chemical Bank’s Financial Planning & Analysis group (now JP Morgan Chase).
Iwao is a member of the board of directors of g8rTech, a subsidiary of Matunuck Ventures (sports technology startup), a member of the Technology and Innovation Council at the Asia Society, a member of the board of advisors at the Stevens Institute of Technology, and a Global Editorial Board member for CDO Magazine.
Iwao has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University and an MBA in Finance & International Business from Columbia Business School. Iwao resides in New York with his wife Mariko and their daughter Tara, who is pursuing a master’s degree in Architecture at Northeastern University in Boston.
Sangeetha Chandru
Senior Vice President and Global Practice Head for CPG & Retail
EXL
Sangeetha is the Senior Vice President and Global Practice Head for CPG & Retail at EXL Analytics. In her role she is focused on driving solutions and capability in AIML, Data Engineering, and Advanced Analytics to deliver transformational value to her clients. Her experience and keen interest are in using analytics and AI-powered insight to help create a seamless customer experience and transform consumer businesses to thrive in this increasingly disruptive future. Prior to her role at EXL, Sangeetha comes with over 25 years of experience and deep domain knowledge in this industry and has served in progressively senior roles with notable global brands in both industry and consulting. She has deep expertise in leading and managing large-scale transformations by leveraging insights to drive long term value creation.
Walton
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
2024-05-01
Share Group: Human^AI — Super-Charge Decision Making with Unified Intelligence
1:45 PM - 3:30 PM
1:45 PM
3:30 PM
<p>At a time where data and analytics (D&A) teams are racing to unify enterprise data and prepare for new and exciting AI applications, the true north that must guide this path remains the Human Element. The truth remains that the value D&A teams deliver to the enterprise is measured in decision improvement — and decision-making is, and will remain, a human endeavor.<br /><br />
In this session, we will explore how Decision Intelligence puts the human at the center and super-charges their decision-making capabilities with the support of generative and predictive AI. Join us as Cloverpop shares its innovative "Decision-Back" methodology. This approach, adopted by leading global CPG firms and retailers, is charting a transformative path to a more intuitive and impactful era of unified intelligence.<br /><br />
Session Highlights:</p>
<ul><li>Interactive presentation: <em>Decision Intelligence = Human^AI</em></li>
<li>Collaborative Breakout Session: Learn from your “decision enabling” colleagues</li>
<li>Live Benchmarking Exercises: DecisionIQ</li>
</ul><p><strong>**Exclusive to CG and Retail Attendees**</strong></p>
Lanny Roytburg
Co-founder, Chief Commercial Officer
Cloverpop
Lanny is the Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Cloverpop. Lanny is a thought leader in driving implementation and scale of Decision Intelligence technologies, founder of the Decision-BackTM️ approach. He has 10+ years of growth strategy and foresight analytics consulting experience working with the world's leading brands.
Eugene Roytburg
CEO and Co-Founder
Cloverpop
Dr. Eugene Roytburg is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cloverpop, a leader in Decision Intelligence. Prior to founding Cloverpop, Dr. Roytburg’s career spanned three decades in management consulting (Kearney, Strategy, & Nielsen) and in enterprise analytics. Dr. Roytburg pioneered the area of Foresight Analytics as Founder and CEO of 4i inc. (acquired by Fractal.ai
in 2017). Dr. Roytburg has advised over 80 organizations across CPG, Retail, Pharma, Insurance and Manufacturing on combining Foresight Analytics/AI, Technology and Business Knowledge to shape the future of business problem solving, decision making and knowledge creation.
French
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
2024-05-01
Share Group: Driving Innovation Across the Value Chain: Where and How to Invest for Big Results
1:45 PM - 3:30 PM
1:45 PM
3:30 PM
<p>The key to continuous growth is creating a flywheel in which the money saved from driving efficiencies can be invested into growth initiatives. In this session, we’ll address practical strategies you can take to use data, analytics, and AI/ML, including generative AI, to lower operational costs, innovate, and drive profitable growth in 2024 and beyond.<br /><br />
Who Should Attend?<br />
Functional and technical CPG and retail leaders<br /><br />
What Will You Learn?</p>
<ul><li>Learn how Amazon Web Services customers in the consumer goods and retail industries are investing in data and analytics to increase profitability</li>
<li>Discover how AI, ML, and generative AI can reshape how you approach product development, demand planning, customer experiences, marketing, and more</li>
<li>Dig in with your peers to sketch out a path to improve margins and invest in new innovations</li>
</ul><p><strong>**Exclusive to CG and Retail Attendees**</strong></p>
Aparna Galiasso
Head, North America CPG GTM Strategy
Amazon Web Services
Aparna leads CPG Go-to-Market Strategy & Solutions for North America at AWS. She spends a majority of her time with CPG customers, both learning from and sharing with them to build and scale CPG solutions. With close to 15 years serving CPG customers as a strategy consultant at Monitor Deloitte, she has deep experience in helping customers drive benefits across the entire value chain; ranging from driving plant – level productivity improvements to designing new ways to help clients innovate at the edge of their current businesses and entrenched capabilities. She is particularly passionate about helping CPGs activate new capabilities within the Commercial, Technology and HR functions and help them prepare to win in an uncertain and volatile tomorrow.
Kevin McCurdy
Global CPG Segment Lead, APN
AWS
Kevin E. McCurdy is Global CPG Segment Lead – APN for AWS responsible for identifying and engaging relationships with strategic ISV and SI Partners for the AWS Global CPG Vertical. Prior to that he served as Vice President, Demand Signal Management at E2open, Inc. He was Co-Founder and Vice President of Strategic Accounts for Orchestro, Inc. which was acquired by E2open. He has leg engagements with leading CPG companies including: The Coca-Cola Company, General Mills, Kellogg’s, PepsiCo, Newell Brands, Scott’s-Miracle Gro, Unilever, Kimberly-Clark, and Kraft-Heinz.
He also was Co-Founder and Vice President of Business Development and Services at Mercari Technologies, Inc. which delivered space optimization solutions for CPG and retail companies. Previously, Kevin served as Director of Business Consulting at Blue Yonder (formerly Manugistics).
Kevin has 25+ years of experience in supply chain management, category management, and demand signal management working with leading global CPG companies and retailers. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Logistics and International Business from the Pennsylvania State University. He also studied British Economics and the European Union at the University of Manchester in Manchester, England.
He also was Co-Founder and Vice President of Business Development and Services at Mercari Technologies, Inc. which delivered space optimization solutions for CPG and retail companies. Previously, Kevin served as Director of Business Consulting at Blue Yonder (formerly Manugistics).
Kevin has 25+ years of experience in supply chain management, category management, and demand signal management working with leading global CPG companies and retailers. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Logistics and International Business from the Pennsylvania State University. He also studied British Economics and the European Union at the University of Manchester in Manchester, England.
David Falck
VP Machine Learning Engineering
US Foods
Grand Ballroom
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
2024-05-01
Power Hour
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
3:30 PM
5:00 PM
<p>In-person connections are fueling Analytics Unite! Our exclusive Power Hour event provides the opportunity for 1:1 introductions with leading analytics peers and influencers. Through a series of quick-hitting conversations — held over drinks — attendees have a unique chance to expand their networks in a fun and casual setting. Power Hour keeps the conversations moving for an engaging and optimized networking experience, while tailored attendee profiles ensure maximum value for all. Instantly expand your connections and meet the diverse array of leaders who matter most to you!</p>
Gold Coast
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
2024-05-01
Cocktail Party
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
5:00 PM
6:30 PM
Join your new and old friends for drinks, treats, and networking.
Drake Foyer
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Registration Opens
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
7:30 AM
5:30 PM
Gold Coast
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
<p>Start the day off with a full breakfast and meet up with friends and colleagues before the event gets into full swing.</p>
Grand Ballroom
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Welcome Address and Opening Remarks
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
9:00 AM
9:15 AM
<p>Join us as we welcome you to the 11th annual Analytics Unite.</p>
Eric Savitch
Senior Vice President, Group Brand Director
Path to Purchase Institute
Ashok Viswanathan
Director, Supply Chain Analytics
Best Buy
Ashok Viswanathan is an accomplished executive with over 16 years' experience in driving supply chain transformation through innovative application of analytics and technology. Ashok is currently the Director of Supply Chain Analytics at Best Buy where he leads a team of analytics professionals and product managers delivering solutions across multiple supply chain functions. He has a PhD in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Binghamton University, is an adjunct faculty at St. Joseph University, and speaks and publishes at various forums in the field of supply chain and analytics.
Praveen Moturu
VP, Chief Enterprise Architect
Mars
Praveen Moturu is the Vice President and Chief Enterprise Architect with Mars Global Corporate at Mars Incorporated in Chicago, Illinois. In this role he works to drive Enterprise Digital Transformation. Innovative, accomplished business and technology leader, visionary with strategic leadership experience in transformation, technology and operations, promoting significant business and revenue growth within global and Fortune 500 multinational corporations.
Grand Ballroom
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Keynote: Building and Advancing the Future of Unified Intelligence
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
9:15 AM
10:00 AM
<p>
Tractor Supply Company is unlocking the transformative power of AI-driven analytics and technology to gain deep customer insights, drive operational efficiencies, and enhance marketing effectiveness. Learn how they're employing generative AI, computer vision, and smart cameras to fuel real-time, customer service capabilities that simultaneously elevate employee experiences. As part of this, Lettera and Allison will share how they're cultivating a culture of adaptability, innovation, and meeting escalating customer demands.</p>
Al Lettera
SVP, IT
Tractor Supply Company
Al Lettera is Senior Vice President, Information Technology for Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States with over 2,100 stores and approximately $14.2 billion in annual revenues. Tractor Supply is leveraging technology to personalize the customer experience, both in-store and online and has become a leader in enriching rural life with the power of digital. Throughout his tenure, Al has led the implementation of ecommerce platforms, enabling Tractor Supply’s digital business to grow 10 times. Under his leadership, Tractor Supply has added new capabilities along the way, creating a seamless online/in-store experience including the launch of a Customer Mobile Application. Al has also played a key role in the development of Tractor Supply’s mobility journey in stores, empowering Team Members with tools to assist customers and drive day-to-day operational efficiencies. He has led Tractors Supply’s initial and latest Neighbor’s Club loyalty technology implementations, the evolution of Supply Chain Systems and the beginning of a data analytics journey to better understand customers and business opportunities.
Prior to Tractor Supply, Al worked at Office Depot as Vice President of Applications Development where he was responsible for several transformation initiatives throughout his tenure with the company. Al also previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers as a principal consultant, supporting several global initiatives with multiple Fortune 300 companies.
Al received his Bachelor of Science in Business from Florida State University. He is also a participant in the Advanced Leadership Development Programs at Florida Atlantic University and Northwestern University. In 2018, he was recognized by RIS as CIO of the year for his leadership at Tractor Supply around improving the customer experience.
Glenn Allison
Vice President, IT Applications
Tractor Supply Company
Glenn Allison is Vice President, IT Applications Development for Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States with more than 2,100 stores in 49 states and 50,000 Team Members. In his role, Glenn is responsible for Retail Technology at both Tractor Supply and Petsense by Tractor Supply stores, as well as Enterprise AI, Data & Analytics.
Tractor Supply is frequently recognized as one of the best workplaces for IT professionals. The company was named a Best Place to Work in IT by Computerworld in 2023.
Prior to Tractor Supply, Glenn worked at Kellogg Company, where he led global architecture and engineering functions to support supply chain modernization. Glenn also previously held several leadership roles at W.W. Grainger, one of the largest eCommerce retailers in the United States.
Glenn received his MBA from the University of Chicago and Master of Science in Information Technology from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
He currently serves on the CNBC Technology Executive Council, Technology Leadership Council for the National Retail Federation (NRF), Nashville Technology Council, and is a lifetime member of the FFA.
Glenn was named to the “40 Under 40” list by the Nashville Business Journal in 2016.
Grand Ballroom
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Analytics Transformation for Omnichannel Excellence
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
10:00 AM
10:50 AM
<p>Embarking on an analytics transformation journey is essential in today's fiercely competitive landscape to achieve omnichannel excellence. By strategically leveraging data insights from diverse channels and breaking down organizational silos, brands can significantly enhance customer experiences, elevate engagement levels, and spur revenue growth. Join us as we explore the transformative power of data and analytics in shaping the pathway to omnichannel excellence uncovering innovative strategies and best practices that can revolutionise your customer interactions and drive sustainable business growth.</p>
Dipita Chakraborty
Chief Practice Officer
Fractal Analytics
Dipita Chakraborty is Chief Practice Officer, CPG, at Fractal. A passionate analytics leader who drives capabilities towards better decisions, she has extensive CPG expertise in revenue management and marketing mix. Chakraborty is an industry-acknowledged thought leader, as well as a people leader, coach, and mentor.
Sekhar Krishnamoorthy
Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Global Pet Nutrition
Mars Inc.
Sekhar Krishnamoorthy, Chief Data and Analytics Officer for Global Pet Nutrition at Mars, Incorporated., brings 30 years of transformative leadership in insights and analytics to his role. With a rich background that includes serving as the Chief/Head of Analytics & Insights for multi-billion-dollar businesses and leading strategic initiatives for leading CPG brands, retailers and analytics startups, Sekhar has consistently driven organizational excellence. His expertise extends from spearheading global consumer insights for iconic brands like Pampers at Procter and Gamble to leading the evolution of the analytics firm LatentView Analytics. Sekhar recently moved to Mars Petcare in a move to not only appease his goldendoodle, Rishi, but also to lead the creation and expansion of Data and Analytics (D&A) in the Pet Nutrition organization. So far, Sekhar has built and deployed an enterprise D&A strategy, along with a roadmap to step-change digital capabilities across all aspects of our business, and transform the experience of pet ownership, ultimately transforming the business to help Mars Petcare achieve its Purpose: A Better World For Pets.
Gold Coast
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Networking
10:50 AM - 11:30 AM
10:50 AM
11:30 AM
<p>Chat with attendees and solution partners on the future of United Intelligence and how to best leverage next-gen tech to position your organization for ongoing success. Exhibitors will be active, accessible, and ready for all of your questions. No appointment necessary.</p>
Walton South
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Generative AI: Scaling for Value Creation
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM
11:30 AM
12:20 PM
<p>Most CPG and retail companies have been experimenting with generative AI technologies and are getting a preview of the immense value potential this breakthrough technology offers. However, scaling generative AI technologies across the enterprise, especially for global organizations, has proven to be difficult for a variety of reasons. In this talk, Kenvue's Rahul Tyagi will share best practices for both scaling and building a value capture framework to start realizing the business benefits of this powerful technology.</p>
Rahul Tyagi
VP - AI
Kenvue
Rahul Tyagi is the Global VP of Data Science, AI and Intelligent Automation for Kenvue. His current role involves driving automation and productivity benefits in the company leveraging both classic and Generative AI. He joined Kenvue in March 2023 after having spent significant part of his 28 year career in the Retail and Consumer Goods industry. In the past, he has led analytics efforts at companies like Colgate-Palmolive and Publix Supermarkets. Rahul has also held leadership positions with services companies like Infosys and IBM and has worked extensively in North America, Europe and Asia.
Rahul’s team is responsible for rapid experimentation as well as cost-effective scaling up of AI at enterprise level with a clear line of sight to business value creation.
Rahul earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology and an MBA from Indian Institute of Management. He has published extensively both in academic journals as well as in industry publications.
Walton North
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Accelerating Secure AI and ML Without Complexity
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM
11:30 AM
12:20 PM
<p>With new innovations arriving almost daily in the world of AI, retailers and brands are excited but also concerned about the levels of investment needed to apply this at scale. We'll explore how to tap into the power of AI more easily and without complicated infrastructure needed. See how retailers and brands can focus on what they do best — delight customers — without needing to become a technology company first.</p>
Angie Coderre
Enterprise Business Architect for Data Intelligence
US Foods
In her current role as an IT Business Architect, Angie drives US Foods’ data & analytics project-based work, including sales compensation, pricing, and platform modernization. Angie’s US Foods career began in 2013 as an associate business analyst and launched into a ten-year-long tenure in analytics & strategy. Her experience and interest are in activating technology quickly to enable commercial success in the fast-paced foodservice industry. In her spare time, she serves as a park district commissioner and can be found chasing around her two young kids.
Prabhath Nanisetty
Head of Industry, Retail Data & Technology
Snowflake
Prabhath Nanisetty is the Global Industry Lead for Retail Data & Technology Services and Quick-Commerce at Snowflake. He advises companies in the Retail & Consumer Goods ecosystem on accelerating data collaboration, product roadmaps, and innovating on the most challenging customer problems. His background as the former Chief Innovation Officer at Numerator, a former Consumer & Media Analytics leader at P&G, and being a Snowflake customer for over six years provides him a unique perspective on solving modern challenges in this industry.
Walton South
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Navigating the Hype Cycle in Retail Technology: Lessons from the Past Decade and Insights for the Next
12:20 PM - 1:10 PM
12:20 PM
1:10 PM
<p>
Your feed is full of news about Generative AI – or a similar buzzwords. Your business stakeholders want you to evaluate, yet another, startup platform that promises the moon. You're asked to create a business intelligence strategy based on a new data source you don't fully trust or understand. With the relentless pace of technological change today, how can you cut through the noise, while finding and leveraging a novel data source that makes an impact on your business? We'll share insights to arm CPG and retail professionals with an actionable framework for evaluating and adopting state-of-the-art technology, while keeping the data relevant and simple.</p>
Keah Lonergan
Senior Solution Engineer Team Leader
Trax Retail
Matt Greene
Vice President Enterprise Sales and Account Management, Americas
Trax Retail
Walton North
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Building an AI-First Blueprint
12:20 PM - 1:10 PM
12:20 PM
1:10 PM
<p>The concept of being "AI first" has emerged as a pivotal, yet complex, strategy for seizing a game-changing competitive edge in retail and consumer goods. Without mastering the proper context behind today’s trends, however, organizations face tremendous risk. Learn the tactics and operational shifts required to truly unlock the massive potential of generative AI, and depart with a framework for adapting and scaling the technology for competitive and sustainable business outcomes. </p>
Gopal Sugavanam
Global Head of Data, Analytics & AI for Consumer Goods, Retail, Logistics & Manufacturing
Infosys
Gold Coast
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Topic Tables Lunch
1:10 PM - 2:25 PM
1:10 PM
2:25 PM
<p>Enjoy lunch while participating in an interactive, real-time collaborative discussion designed to facilitate connection with industry thought leaders. Expand your professional network while engaging in topic-focused conversations.</p>
Grand Ballroom
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Optimizing Infrastructures for Analytics
2:25 PM - 3:15 PM
2:25 PM
3:15 PM
<p>Without analytics, retailers and CPGs would be flying blind. But how do large companies optimize tech infrastructures to both gather and unify analytics, as well as turn them into actionable decisions that can be implemented across companies for myriad benefits? Whether talking automation, fulfillment, or point of sale, getting digital transformation right is hard. Hear from a panel of experts on how to best optimize your infrastructures to succeed both today and into the future.</p>
Andy Walter
Board Director & Strategic Advisor, CIO, Global Shared Services Executive
AJW-Advisory LLC
Andy Walter is a business results-driven professional with extensive experience in strategy, development, execution, and operations across Shared Services, Analytics, and IT. He led the Commercial Services & Delivery Organization (over 1500 IT and multifunctional professionals) for Procter & Gamble’s Global Business Services (GBS). He was responsible for IT & Shared Services for all Global Business Units and Markets around the world. His team was accountable for developing cutting-edge digital capabilities for Procter & Gamble to win “where it matters most,” with Consumers, Shoppers, and Retailers. This included all eBusiness, Consumer Services, BI/Analytics, Sales Force Solutions, Project Delivery, Business Process Services, and A&D / Company restructuring efforts. He has over a decade of leading top tier Global Shared Services globally and is a Certified Outsourcing Professional (IAOP).
Paul Bucalo
Senior Director, Marketing Engineering
Dollar General
Paul Bucalo joined Dollar General in 2022 with 20-years of experience driving technology strategy, digital analytics, and customer acquisition technology. As Dollar General’s Senior Director of Marketing Engineering, Paul leads a team devoted to business-led, technology transformation to drive growth and innovation. That includes driving new capabilities across owned and paid channels, ad tech, identity resolution and measurement. Prior to joining Dollar General, Paul served as director of group product management for Walmart marketing technology where his team launched an organizational shift to agile marketing and launched a new, dynamic personalized marketing experience. Prior to that, Paul worked as a consultant, in startups and for the media industry. Paul holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism & Political Science from Kent State University.
Murali Sundararajan
EVP / Chief Information Officer
Victoria's Secret & CO
Murali Sundararajan is the Chief Information Officer for Victoria's Secret & Co., where he provides strategic vision and direction for all global technology efforts across stores, e-commerce, infrastructure, security and enterprise operations.
Bhaumik Sharma
North America CDTO
Haleon Plc
Bhaumik Sharma is a seasoned consumer packaged goods (CPG) executive currently serving as the North America CDTO for Haleon Plc. In this role, he spearheads digital and technology initiatives in one of Haleon's largest markets and is responsible for driving growth and value through digital and tech. His contributions have spanned various areas, including Digital Commerce, Revenue Growth Management, Trade Promotion Management, Advanced Analytics, Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Marketing Transformation, Product Lifecycle Management and Sales Execution. Bhaumik's career includes significant tech and business leadership roles at prominent companies such as Kellanova (formerly Kellogg), Heineken, Molson Coors, and J. Crew, providing him diverse experiences across Center, Regional, and Business Unit functions. Educationally, Bhaumik holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems; Bhaumik is passionate about DEI values and strongly believes in coaching the next generation of leaders on the power of servant leadership, empathy, and humility.
Greg Pederson
Director of Data & Analytics, Food & Beverage
Target
Greg leads Data & Analytics functions within the Food & Beverage business at Target, focused on strategic initiatives to improve decision making and business outcomes in inventory management and guest product availability. The work efforts span the full spectrum of Data & Analytics – engineering, business intelligence and predictive analytics. Greg has 20 years of experience at Target, including a variety of leadership roles in Financial Planning & Analysis, Enterprise Data & Analytics and Food & Beverage. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics from the United States Naval Academy, and an M.B.A in Finance & Accounting from the University of Chicago. Greg and his family reside in Chanhassen, MN.
Gold Coast
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Networking
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM
3:15 PM
3:45 PM
Chat with attendees and solution partners on the future of united intelligence and how to best leverage next-gen tech to position your organization for ongoing success. Exhibitors will be active, accessible, and ready for all of your questions. No appointment necessary.
Grand Ballroom
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
How CPGs can use Data Clean Rooms to Unify Personalization Efforts
3:45 PM - 4:20 PM
3:45 PM
4:20 PM
<p>When you marry data clean rooms with automation, you can unlock personalization at scale. But what's needed to bring consumer goods and retail teams along for the journey? Learn how CPGs are connecting data ecosystems across the organization to deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time.</p>
Imteaz Ahamed
Director, Performance Marketing
Reckitt
Imteaz Ahamed works in the digital space for Reckitt, a multinational fast-moving consumer goods company based in London, UK. He was born in Bangladesh and did his studies in Australia. He started his career in Reckitt in Australia and has since worked across Europe and the Americas. He currently heads up Performance Marketing for Reckitt North America. At the tender age of 6, in the early 90's his father bought him a 386 PC for $3000, sparking a continuous curiosity about everything related to technology. Imteaz also invests and mentors early-stage startups & entrepreneurs from all over the world and is an avid fan of hackathons. He is also a StartupBus Mentor and Alumni - the most intense 72 hour startup hackathon in the world & shares his productivity hacks on his personal blog: imteaz.com
Grand Ballroom
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Advancing Data Collaboration and Insight Exchange
4:20 PM - 4:55 PM
4:20 PM
4:55 PM
<p>End-to-end data collaboration has many benefits, but it can be hard to achieve. Hear how companies have united stakeholders and created an infrastructure that supports a circular collaboration model across their operations and logistics. In this session, we’ll cover tactical ways that analytics can be shared across the entire value chain, as well as between consumer goods companies and their retail partners, to foster innovation and efficiency.</p>
Ellen Webb
Vice President, Shopper Analytics & Insights
PepsiCo
Ellen is currently Vice President - Strategy, Analytics & Insights for PepsiCo’s Demand Accelerator. In this role Ellen leads the team in development and deployment of insights, capabilities, and commercial digital products to empower PepsiCo to improve our sales and marketing efforts through a shopper lens driving actionable impact across the entire PepsiCo portfolio.
Prior to her current role, Ellen lead PepsiCo Category Leadership for National Small Format Customers, covering Dollar General, 7-Eleven Enterprise and Circle K across the PepsiCo portfolio where she worked in partnership with PepsiCo Sales teams to accelerate strategic partnerships and drive growth with our largest Small Format retailers.
In addition to retail experience, Ellen spent four years on the PepsiCo Foodservice team where she lead the creation of the Category Management function, translating PepsiCo’s category management leadership success on the retail business to growth in Foodservice.
During her time with PepsiCo Foodservice she also led Portfolio & Equipment Strategy. Prior to joining the PepsiCo Foodservice team, Ellen held several Category Management roles for PepsiCo Beverages. Her retail Category Management experience spans leading teams across the grocery, drug & Target businesses.
Ellen is a two-time recipient of the PepsiCo Chairman’s Ring of Honor award. She is a 20 year veteran of the consumer packaged goods industry, starting her career in CPG with roles of increasing responsibility at General Mills and ConAgra.
Ellen is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a major in Marketing & a minor in Anthropology. She is based in Chicago.
Shruti Thaker
Enterprise Architect - Information Strategy
Molson Coors
Shruti Thaker is the Enterprise Architect for Data at Molson Coors where she is working to develop and implement a new data strategy for the group. Ms Thaker has a long history in Data in various sectors from Finance, where she previously headed up CRM and Corporate Access technologies for Citigroup Institutional Equities and Alpha Capture and Vendor Data for Blackrock Active Equities to Oil having started her Career at Shell Oil, reimagining their E&P data infrastructure.
Manbir Paul
VP of Engineering, Data Insights & MarTech
Sephora
Manbir Paul is VP Engineering, Data Insights & MarTech at Sephora. Prior to this, he served as global head of ML engineering at Levi Strauss & Co.
As a proactive, results-driven technology leader specializing in the retail industry, Manbir's expertise lies not just in understanding the industry's complexities, but also in harnessing the transformative power of Data and AI. With a passion deeply rooted in technological innovation, his most recent endeavors have involved leading in the realms of Data and AI to develop, scale, and implement solutions that amplify business growth.
Patrick Lawler
Senior Manager - Business Intelligence and Advanced Analytics
Nestle Purina Pet Care
Patrick Lawler is a Senior Manager of Business Intelligence and Advanced Analytics at Nestlé Purina. He leads the transformation of data and technology solutions within the retail sales department. Additionally, he manages data literacy and upskilling programs. Prior to Nestlé Purina, Patrick held roles at Nielsen and Anheuser-Busch InBev.
Grand Ballroom
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Closing Remarks
4:55 PM - 5:00 PM
4:55 PM
5:00 PM
Eric Savitch
Senior Vice President, Group Brand Director
Path to Purchase Institute
Ashok Viswanathan
Director, Supply Chain Analytics
Best Buy
Ashok Viswanathan is an accomplished executive with over 16 years' experience in driving supply chain transformation through innovative application of analytics and technology. Ashok is currently the Director of Supply Chain Analytics at Best Buy where he leads a team of analytics professionals and product managers delivering solutions across multiple supply chain functions. He has a PhD in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Binghamton University, is an adjunct faculty at St. Joseph University, and speaks and publishes at various forums in the field of supply chain and analytics.
Praveen Moturu
VP, Chief Enterprise Architect
Mars
Praveen Moturu is the Vice President and Chief Enterprise Architect with Mars Global Corporate at Mars Incorporated in Chicago, Illinois. In this role he works to drive Enterprise Digital Transformation. Innovative, accomplished business and technology leader, visionary with strategic leadership experience in transformation, technology and operations, promoting significant business and revenue growth within global and Fortune 500 multinational corporations.
Gold Coast
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Cocktail Reception
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
Join your colleagues and new contacts for drinks and conversation.
Coq D'or
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2024-05-02
Late-Night Celebration
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
9:00 PM
11:00 PM
We’re closing out Day 2 with a late-night party! Join us for late-night fun and help make new memories with our expanding community.
Drake Foyer
Friday, May 3, 2024
2024-05-03
Registration Opens
8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
Grand Ballroom
Friday, May 3, 2024
2024-05-03
Analytics Study Breakfast Panel
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
8:30 AM
9:30 AM
<p>To win in this new competitive landscape, tech-savvy retailers and CGs are strategically investing in data-powered solutions at an increased rate as they look to not only predict future demand but realign their operations for maximum efficiency. This panel of leading industry experts will leverage the just-released 2024 CGT Analytics Study to detail the strategic analytic approaches companies should explore as they retool their enterprises to seize the power of unified intelligence. Join us for breakfast, perspective, and inspiration.</p>
Chris Daniel
Managing Director
Protiviti
Chris Daniel is a Managing Director in Protiviti’s Technology Consulting practice, and a retail and consumer products industry lead. Chris is currently enabling clients in modern environments to leverage Cloud, Al/ML, IOT, and Edge computing. Chris brings more than 25 years of large-scale business transformation experience at the intersection of retail and the consumer. Chris serves his clients with an innovative and collaborative approach to solving complex business challenges that ensure that the client is at the center of the solution. Chris focuses on building industry-based solutions that are tied to mutually beneficial strategies with the major cloud hyper scalers, including Google Cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure.
Liz Dominguez
Managing Editor
Consumer Goods Technology
Liz Dominguez is the managing editor for EnsembleIQ's Consumer Goods Technology, reporting on the latest innovations in consumer goods technology. She joined the brand in 2022 and has a varied journalistic background covering everything from consumer goods and retail to real estate, banks and credit cards, and healthcare.
Emily Gibbons
Vice President Science & Technology, Commercial Insights & Loyalty
84.51/The Kroger Co.
As VP, Technology for 84.51° Insights & Loyalty businesses, Emily Gibbons leads the data science, engineering, and product teams supporting 84.51°’s commercial delivery to clients, including Consumer Research, 84.51° Stratum, 84.51° Data Direct, and 84.51° Collaborative Cloud. She helps drive continuous innovation and scalability across 84.51°’s commercial product suite, ensuring its solutions are market leading, actionable, and valuable to its clients.
Prior to her current role, she was VP, Data Science for 84.51°’s Commercial Insights and New Ventures businesses where she owned the data science strategy for 84.51°’s commercial product suite and new ventures spaces. Along with owning the strategy for innovating, building, and deploying science across the commercial product suite, she also helped to build the early-stage brand accelerator, PearlRock Partners. She has also led the data science teams in support of Healthcare Innovation, Kroger Personal Finance, and other new and emerging business ventures.
Emily has a Bachelor's in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master's in Applied Statistics from the University of Tennessee. She was a 2019 Progressive Grocer's GenNext Award Recipient, a 2023 Progressive Grocer’s Top Women in Grocery Award Recipient, and a 2023 Path to Purchase Women of Excellence for Innovation Award Recipient. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pa. with her husband, Scott, and two children, Jackson and Finley.
RJ Hottovy
Head of Analytical Research
Placer.ai
R.J. Hottovy, CFA is Head of Analytical Research for Placer.ai. He has covered the restaurant, retail, and e-commerce sectors for nearly 20 years. He has held several analyst positions in the past, including Global Consumer Equity Strategist at Morningstar and equity analyst roles at William Blair & Co. and Deutsche Bank. Hottovy also brings a wealth of experience with early-stage investments as an investor and member of the investment committee for the IrishAngels Venture Capital group. He has worked with more than 100 early-stage consumer and technology companies, advising on more than $200 million in capital raises and other buy- and sell-side M&A transactions. Hottovy is also a member of the Chicago Seed Co. network, a group of Chicago-area investors focused on early-stage food & beverage companies.
Hottovy's efforts have been recognized by several financial and trade publications, including CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, Investors Business Daily, Barron's, BusinessWeek, Forbes, and The Economist. He is an active member of the CFA Society of Chicago and maintains a regular teaching schedule through the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business and the Girls Who Invest program. He was also a finalist for Crain's Chicago "40 Under 40" award in 2011. Hottovy graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Finance and a second degree in Computer Applications.
Campbell Brown
CEO & Co-founder
PredictHQ
Campbell Brown is the Co-founder and CEO of PredictHQ, the AI-powered ecosystem used by customers including Uber, Dominos, Amazon, CVS, and AB InBev to discover what real-world events are occurring, and predicts which ones will impact their future revenue. He is an entrepreneur passionate about product development, data, and APIs. A husband, father to three kids and a Kiwi, Campbell spent almost a decade in Europe working in geo-spatial and Ad Tech businesses before moving back to NZ where he was part of two successful startups, employing more than 300 people globally before successful exits. His experiences in these startups led him to co-found PredictHQ in 2015, which foresees how real-world events shape demand, enabling operations, supply chains, marketing, and forecasting to adapt autonomously, saving billions of dollars annually.
Grand Ballroom
Friday, May 3, 2024
2024-05-03
Transforming Insights Into Products and Experiences
9:30 AM - 10:05 AM
9:30 AM
10:05 AM
<p>Leveraging consumer insights within product innovation is key to standing out on the shelf, and sharing these insights with retailers is critical in delivering a matching experience. Learn how companies are elevating their analytics strategies to analyze consumer behavior, market trends, and competitive landscapes to identify opportunities for new products and experiences — and then working with their retail and fulfillment partners to deliver upon them.</p>
Andy Walter
Board Director & Strategic Advisor, CIO, Global Shared Services Executive
AJW-Advisory LLC
Andy Walter is a business results-driven professional with extensive experience in strategy, development, execution, and operations across Shared Services, Analytics, and IT. He led the Commercial Services & Delivery Organization (over 1500 IT and multifunctional professionals) for Procter & Gamble’s Global Business Services (GBS). He was responsible for IT & Shared Services for all Global Business Units and Markets around the world. His team was accountable for developing cutting-edge digital capabilities for Procter & Gamble to win “where it matters most,” with Consumers, Shoppers, and Retailers. This included all eBusiness, Consumer Services, BI/Analytics, Sales Force Solutions, Project Delivery, Business Process Services, and A&D / Company restructuring efforts. He has over a decade of leading top tier Global Shared Services globally and is a Certified Outsourcing Professional (IAOP).
Binu Varghese
Vice President, IT Applications & Data
SpartanNash
Binu Varghese is VP of IT Applications and Data at SpartanNash, a retailer, distributor, and wholesaler with a global supply chain network. He is a technology and product executive with 20 years of experience with various enterprise technologies like Data Engineering, Analytics/AI/ML, Cloud/SAAS & DevOps and the ability to craft Digital & Data transformation strategies, aligned with Business Vision. He has extensive experience driving Enterprise Technology & Data assessments and end-to-end transformation roadmaps.
Mora Ambrey
Director of Advanced Analytics Operations
Diageo
Mora Ambrey is a seasoned professional with a rich background in advanced analytics, product strategy, and corporate strategy, spanning well over a decade across esteemed organizations. Currently serving as the Director of Advanced Analytics Operations at Diageo, Mora leads the end-to-end functions of the Advanced Analytics Operations team, ensuring cutting-edge technology development, data quality, and seamless execution aligned with corporate objectives. Prior to her tenure at Diageo, Mora held key positions at Nielsen, where she honed her skills in providing strategic insights, analyzing market trends, and delivering impactful presentations to clients. Her contributions were instrumental in driving revenue growth, identifying market opportunities, and optimizing marketing strategies for multinational brands. With a strong foundation in analytics, relationship building, and product strategy, Mora has consistently delivered measurable results throughout her career. Her expertise in navigating complex projects, driving process improvements, and leveraging data-driven insights underscores her commitment to driving business success and innovation in every role she undertakes.
Murat Genc
CTDO
Whirlpool
Murat Genc is Global Technology & Data Officer at Whirlpool Corporation, where he’s leading their global digital transformation, technology, data & AI strategy, and engineering & delivery, including global technology platforms and products. Prior to Whirlpool, he spent over 17 years at Procter & Gamble.
Grand Ballroom
Friday, May 3, 2024
2024-05-03
Closing Keynote: How Lowe’s Is Readying for True Personalization With AI
10:05 AM - 10:45 AM
10:05 AM
10:45 AM
<p>Artificial intelligence is fueling Lowe’s ability to develop a holistic view of its customers. In the Analytics Unite closing keynote, learn how the retailer is enhancing its omnichannel capabilities through the use of large language models, computer vision, and digital twins to deliver best-in-class consumer and employee experiences.</p>
Lisa Johnston
Editor in Chief
Consumer Goods Technology
Lisa Johnston is the Editor-in-Chief of CGT. She joined the brand in 2020. Her journalism background includes writing for both business and consumer audiences, specializing in technology, retail, and consumer goods. In addition to moderating panels at a number of industry events and sharing editorial expertise as a media panelist, she's served as a judge for such programs as the Consumer Technology Hall of Fame and the Jesse H. Neal Awards.
Chandhu Nair
SVP, Data, Analytics and Computational Intelligence & Marketing Technology
Lowe's
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 capabilities enabling personalization, loyalty experiences and Lowe’s One Roof Media Network products. He joined Lowe’s in 2020.
Chandhu has 19 years of experience in technology. 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 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.
Chandhu earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering – information technology from Bharathiar University, India, and a master’s degree in general management and operations from Harvard University. He volunteers as an adviser to technology startups in the U.S. and globally, and serves on the advisory board for United Planet, a non-profit organization connecting volunteers in the areas of education, health and environmental sustainability with opportunities in more than 30 countries.
Grand Ballroom
Friday, May 3, 2024
2024-05-03
Closing Remarks
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
10:45 AM
11:00 AM
Eric Savitch
Senior Vice President, Group Brand Director
Path to Purchase Institute
Ashok Viswanathan
Director, Supply Chain Analytics
Best Buy
Ashok Viswanathan is an accomplished executive with over 16 years' experience in driving supply chain transformation through innovative application of analytics and technology. Ashok is currently the Director of Supply Chain Analytics at Best Buy where he leads a team of analytics professionals and product managers delivering solutions across multiple supply chain functions. He has a PhD in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Binghamton University, is an adjunct faculty at St. Joseph University, and speaks and publishes at various forums in the field of supply chain and analytics.
Praveen Moturu
VP, Chief Enterprise Architect
Mars
Praveen Moturu is the Vice President and Chief Enterprise Architect with Mars Global Corporate at Mars Incorporated in Chicago, Illinois. In this role he works to drive Enterprise Digital Transformation. Innovative, accomplished business and technology leader, visionary with strategic leadership experience in transformation, technology and operations, promoting significant business and revenue growth within global and Fortune 500 multinational corporations.