DAMA GA upcoming events

DAMA-GA Small Group Discussion - How is AI reshaping data careers with Brenda Thompson (October 13, 2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Brenda Thompson, Director Digital & Data Transformation, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta CDMP

"How is AI reshaping data careers, and which roles are built to last?"

Join DAMA Georgia for a virtual small-group discussion facilitated by Brenda Thompson.

We'll dig into:

✅ Which data roles are built to last (and which are at risk)

✅ The skills that will matter most as AI reshapes how we work

✅ Real strategies to future-proof your career

Whether you're already in data, pivoting into it, or just starting out, this is your chance to get ahead of the curve.

2026 DAMA Georgia Annual Chapter Meeting (November 04, 2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Willem Koenders, Global Lead for Data Strategy Advisory at ZS

"AI Is Ready. Is Your Data?"

Session overview:

Why AI is ready, but data is not, and why that gap matters more when AI rather than people are consuming the data

How analytics-ready data differs from AI-ready data, and the eight dimensions that define readiness at both the organizational and data product level

What a knowledge layer is, and how definitions, relationships, business rules, and lineage give AI the context it needs to interpret data correctly

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Willem Koenders is Global Lead for Data Strategy Advisory at ZS, with 14+ years of experience helping organizations turn data into measurable business value. He has advised more than 100 organizations on data strategy, data governance, data products, master data management, operating models, analytics and AI readiness across medtech, life sciences, healthcare, financial services, edtech, and travel and hospitality. Prior to ZS, Willem held senior data and AI leadership roles at Deloitte, including leading Data Strategy and Data Management teams across Latin America. He is the author of The Data Product Playbook, a frequent speaker and podcast guest, and has published more than 100 articles on data strategy and AI readiness.

Analytics to Agentic AI: Navigating What Comes Next (November 16, 2026)

Mon, 16 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Kash Mehdi, Vice President and Field CTO at Reltio

"Analytics to Agentic AI - Navigating What Comes Next"

The workshop explores what transitioning to an AI-adoption means for organizations, leaders, data professionals, and the broader workforce beyond just the technology. On one end are understandable concerns about job displacement, changing roles, trust, governance, and the pace of change. On the other are significant opportunities for AI to augment human capabilities, redesign work, increase productivity, and create entirely new ways of delivering value. The goal is to bridge those perspectives and provide attendees with a structured path for navigating what comes next.

The workshop will include:

The evolution from analytics → predictive AI → generative AI → agentic AI, and what fundamentally changes as we move along that continuum.
What agentic AI could mean for organizations, data and analytics teams, and individual professionals.
A candid discussion about workforce implications — from concerns about job replacement to opportunities for job augmentation, role evolution, and new capabilities.
Real-world anecdotes and lessons learned, appropriately masked for privacy.
The organizational, data, governance, technology, and change-management capabilities needed for the agentic AI world.
Practical strategies that professionals and organizations can begin applying now.
Take-away reference materials, checklists, and/or roadmaps to help attendees assess where they are today and identify concrete next steps.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Kash Mehdi is an experienced Growth Ops and Strategy Leader with a proven track record in driving revenue growth and leading Go-To-Market strategies across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. He has successfully contributed to three major enterprise software companies, securing significant wins and market share.

Currently serving as VP, Field CTO at Reltio, Kash works with enterprises navigating the shift from the Analytics Era to the Agentic Era, helping them build the context intelligence foundations that make AI execution trustworthy and fast. As the Founder of the CDO Masterclass and CDO Academy programs, Kash has been recognized for his thought leadership, earning a spot on the 2024 DataIQ Data and AI Leader Award shortlist. He played a pivotal role in launching DataGalaxy in the U.S., securing its first double-digit customers and driving seven-figure net new business. Previously, Kash led Informatica's expansion into the Data Governance space, generating $80 million in annual recurring revenue and $150 million in total contract value in four years.

At Collibra, he played an integral role in the company's growth from a startup to a $5 billion valuation, managing a $56 million portfolio and driving 25% renewal growth. With deep expertise in data and AI governance, privacy, and digital transformation, Kash continues to influence the industry, contributing thought leadership to platforms like Data Stash by Kash, Medium and CDO Magazine.