Valuable insights from the Journey to Chief Data Officer

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A Journey to the Role of Chief Data Officer: Insights and Lessons Learned

I am Dana D Ferdinando, the Chief Data Officer at GE Health Care, sharing some valuable insights from my journey in data and technology. Within this post, I will detail how I became a Chief Data Officer, provide a peek into the role, and share some vital lessons learned along the way.

Becoming a Chief Data Officer

The path to becoming a Chief Data Officer is not always a straightforward one. My journey began with a strong foundation in math, biology, English, problem-solving, and analytics. These skills, coupled with a high emotional quotient and listening skills, pointed me towards a career in science and technology. I started my journey with an undergraduate degree in computer science and later earned a master's degree in operations research.

As my career progressed, I explored various roles, starting in software programming, eventually transitioning to the business side of technology. Over time, I experienced significant career pivots, starting businesses in the technology area, joining strategic roles in management consulting for life sciences and medial device companies, running my own consulting company and ultimately landing as a Data and Analytics leader for medical technology companies including ResMed and GE Health Care.

Key Career Pivots

  • Software Technical Lead at AT&T Bell Labs to an entrepreneur and general manager at Science applications International Corporation
  • Strategic roles in Deloitte to Chief information Officer for Arena Pharmaceuticals
  • Starting my own consulting company to Data and Analytics leader for medical technology companies

Role of a Chief Data Officer

The role of the Chief Data Officer (CDO) emerged in the early 2000s; it is a fairly new position that focuses on the value of data and its application across the business enterprise. As CDO, I oversee data management, data analytics, data governance, and spearhead data and information strategy.

The ultimate goal is to extract value from healthcare data to provide the best care possible for patients. The data must be protected, clean, consistent, governed properly, and used ethically, especially in the case of personal data. As a Chief Data Officer, my role involves overseeing the use of this data and providing technology solutions to enhance decision-making through data insights and analytic solutions.

Lessons Learned

Throughout my journey, I have learned several key lessons:

  • Be open and willing to explore opportunities that may not align with your immediate plans. Trying out new roles that are interesting and challenging can help you prepare for future opportunities.
  • Always stay true to yourself and listen to your inner voice. This approach will guide you and help prevent you from pursuing opportunities that may be enticing but not align with your passion.
  • Never stop learning, and maintain your professional network. Always remember to help those more junior than you and pay it forward.
  • Have fun and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Some of my mistakes have given me valuable skills that I have applied to other roles and also to my personal life.

Conclusion

The role of the Chief Data Officer provides an excellent career opportunity for those who want to enable data-driven decision making and derive value from data to help people. My journey, although unplanned, has been fulfilling and exciting. The lessons learned along the way have only made the experience richer.

In the end, while the connector in all my roles has been data, it's the people and the problems we solve that matter most. Remember to embrace change, striving to learn new things, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.


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