Territorio Negocios: The Role of the Chief Data Officer in a Data-Driven World

The podcast by EGADE Business School and the Business School of Tecnológico de Monterrey is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Episode 188 of the Territorio Negocios podcast, titled "The Role of the Chief Data Officer in a Data-Driven World", explored the impact and challenges of the Chief Data Officer (CDO) in today’s business environment.

Eva Guerra, the Associate Dean of EGADE Business School, hosted the production, which featured expert guests Yarid Ayala, a Research Professor at EGADE Business School, and José Murillo, CEO of Rappi Card.

The conversation highlighted how the CDO has become a key figure in the strategic management of data across companies of all sizes, especially in a digital transformation context.

The guests discussed the essential characteristics of this role and the challenges associated with fostering a data-driven culture.

According to Ayala, the CDO is an evolving role, with different profiles depending on their technical skills, soft skills, and understanding of the business.

“We can identify four basic types of CDOs based on their level of technical knowledge, social skills, and business understanding. Those who manage to combine these areas become charismatic leaders capable of influencing both data-related and business decisions,” Ayala stated.

For his part, Murillo emphasized that the CDO's main objective should be to create value for the customer.

“The goal of the CDO should be to enhance the understanding of the customer, deepen the relationship, and extend it over time, generating value not only for shareholders but for everyone involved in the company,” he said.

He also underscored the importance of measuring projects' impact on the business and demonstrating the CDO’s contribution to financial results.

Ayala pointed out that one of the major challenges for CDOs is establishing credibility within organizations.

“Many CDOs face credibility issues because their roles are not always clearly defined. Additionally, they must overcome the fear and resistance that arise when introducing new data-driven cultures,” Ayala explained.

Murillo complemented this perspective, stating that digital transformation not only depends on having the right technological infrastructure but also on having teams capable of strategically leveraging data.

“The CDO doesn’t just need technical skills, but also the ability to convince their peers of the value data brings to the business,” he added.

Both guests agreed that the region faces additional challenges, such as a lack of specialized talent, cultural limitations, and the need to strengthen technological infrastructure.

“We’re at a turning point. Modern CDOs must lead this change with a technical focus but also with business knowledge and leadership skills,” Murillo concluded.

Territorio Negocios is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.