Elevating Data Leadership Worldwide
The Data Executives Affinity Group is DAMA International’s community for Chief Data Officers and senior leaders with enterprise-wide responsibility for data. It provides a forum for peer exchange, targeted learning, and practical resources that strengthen data-driven decision making and competitive advantage across organizations.
What the group is
A focused space for data executives to discuss strategy, share lessons learned, and shape the future of data leadership practice across industries.
Who it is for
Chief Data Officers, heads of data and analytics, and senior leaders who hold organization-wide responsibility for data assets, governance, and value creation.
Purpose & goals
- Elevate data leadership globally.
- Support executives with peer exchange and targeted resources.
- Strengthen data-driven decision making and competitive advantage.
Featured focus areas
- Enterprise data strategy and operating models.
- Governance, ethics, and risk management.
- Data culture, literacy, and organizational change.
Join the Data Executives Affinity Group
Connect with peers, share executive-level insights, and help shape DAMA’s global data leadership agenda.
Sign up now →Membership & Benefits
Eligibility
Membership is open to active DAMA International Individual Professional Members in good standing who hold, or aspire to hold, executive-level data leadership roles.
Why join?
- Exclusive access to executive-level events, webinars, and resources.
- Connections with peers tackling similar leadership and transformation challenges.
- Opportunities to influence DAMA’s data leadership programs and certifications.
Membership benefits
- Professional development sessions focused on data leadership practice.
- Thought-leadership content and a members-only resource library.
- Peer-advisory and networking opportunities across regions and industries.
Fees
Participation in the Data Executives Affinity Group includes an annual fee of USD 150 in addition to DAMA Individual Professional Membership dues.
How membership works
- Complete the online application form.
- Undergo an eligibility review by the Steering Committee.
- Receive confirmation and welcome information upon approval.
Ready to become a member?
Start by joining DAMA or confirming your Individual Professional Membership, then add the Data Executives Affinity Group to your profile.
Sign up now →Executive Resources & Leadership Community
Resource library
- Articles on data strategy, ethics, governance, and organizational change.
- Guides and toolkits for data vision, operating models, and risk oversight.
- Templates that support enterprise-level data leadership practice.
Videos & webinars
- Executive conversation series with global data leaders.
- Deep-dive sessions on leadership topics, analytics, and AI.
- Practical tools and practices for enterprise data leaders.
Events
- Upcoming virtual and in-person events for data executives.
- Sessions aligned with the DAMA conference calendar.
- Topic-focused workshops on strategy, culture, and value realization.
Peer advisory circles
- Small, confidential groups focused on real leadership challenges.
- Chatham-House-style conversations with experienced peers.
- Structured formats that encourage candid discussion and action planning.
Discussion forums
- Members-only digital spaces for questions and idea sharing.
- Weekly discussion topics moderated by the leadership team.
- Opportunities to spotlight member insights and practices.
Networking
- Regional meetups and virtual networking sessions.
- Introductions across industries, sectors, and geographies.
- Member spotlights and collaboration opportunities.
Tap into the global leadership community
Gain access to curated resources, peers, and programs designed to support enterprise-level data leadership.
Sign up now →Videos & Articles
Curated videos and written thought leadership for Chief Data Officers and senior data leaders.
Featured videos
How to Make Data Governance Useful
Building a Data-Driven Culture for Business Success
Short description for this talk, panel, or fireside chat.
Selecting (Meta)Data Management Tools
Operationalizing Data Policy Governance for Data Protection
Doing What’s Right: Exploring a Framework for Data Ethics
The real reasons why data acumen (literacy) is important
Data Monetization: Squeezing Value from Available Data Assets
Featured articles
Artificial Intelligence in Banking— Data-driven Business Models as the Future for Banking
A look at how AI-enabled business models are reshaping value creation in financial services.
Read article →Providing a Context for Oversight:How Boards Should Consider Data
Explores how boards can frame data as a strategic asset, strengthening oversight, risk management, and long-term value creation.
Read article →Accelerating Digital through Data Foundations
Explains how strong data foundations enable faster, safer digital transformation and unlock scalable innovation.
Read article →AI Efforts at Large Companies May Be Hindered by Poor Quality Data
Examines how gaps in data quality, governance, and lineage can slow or derail large-scale AI initiatives in complex enterprises.
Read article →Data Leaders, It’s Time to Try something Different to Succeed—Design Thinking
Argues that data leaders must adopt design thinking to better understand stakeholders, frame the right problems, and deliver solutions people actually use.
Read article →Chief Scientist and Managing Director
Leads the organization’s research agenda and overall strategic direction, connecting scientific innovation with business outcomes.
Read article →Listen – Do You Want to Know a Secret?
Read article →Report to the Clerk of the Privy Council: A Data Strategy Roadmap for the Federal Public Service
Read article →How Data Scientists Turned Against Statistics
Traces how parts of the data science community drifted away from classical statistics, and what was lost in the process.
Read article →Why Does Your Organization Need a Data Strategy?
Explains why a clear data strategy is essential to turn scattered data assets into consistent business value and measurable outcomes.
Read article →What Is a Data Strategy?
Shows how a data strategy aligns technology, people, and processes so data reliably supports decisions and innovation.
Read article →The Seven Deadly Data Sins
Identifies seven common data failures that quietly erode trust, value, and decision quality across the organization.
Read article →Establishing the Office of the Chief Data Officer (CDO)
Describes the mandate, structure, and early priorities for standing up an effective Office of the Chief Data Officer.
Read article →Agreeing on Uniform CDO Qualifications
Explores why consistent, shared qualifications for CDOs are essential to set expectations and measure leadership effectiveness.
Read article →Aligning Organizational Leadership
Shows why data initiatives only succeed when CDOs, CIOs, and business leaders are pulling in the same strategic direction.
Read article →President Signs Open Government Data Act of 2018
Summarizes what the Open Government Data Act requires and how it advances transparency, accessibility, and reuse of federal data.
Read article →Governance, Accountability & Contact
Steering Committee
The Data Executives Affinity Group is guided by a Steering Committee responsible for strategic direction, program oversight, and alignment with DAMA’s mission.
- Defined roles such as Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary.
- Election cycles and term limits for continuity and renewal.
Participation criteria
Members are expected to uphold DAMA’s professional standards and contribute to a confidential, trusted executive community.
- Active DAMA Individual Professional Membership.
- Executive-level responsibility for data or equivalent role.
Policies & ethics
- Code of ethics and professional conduct.
- Conflict-of-interest and confidentiality expectations.
- Privacy and data handling requirements for community activities.
Annual reporting
- Steering Committee annual report to DAMA International.
- Summary of use of Affinity Group funds and major initiatives.
Contact
Have questions about joining, programs, or eligibility?
- Use the DAMA contact form and select the Data Executives Affinity Group.
- Or reach out via your DAMA member portal for additional support.
Talk with the leadership team
Get in touch to discuss whether the Data Executives Affinity Group is the right fit for your role and leadership objectives.
Sign up now →