Adita Karkera, Ph.D., serves as the Chief Data Officer for Deloitte Consulting LLP’s government and public services practice where she leads the data strategy to foster value creation from the organizations’ data while facilitating trust. With more than 23 years of industry experience, Dr. Karkera is an award-winning executive, dedicated to improving public service. As an advisor and thought leader, Dr. Karkera has served on many industry boards and data management industry forums. She is a pioneer in articulating the importance of data literacy especially in accelerating advanced analytics and trustworthy AI adoption in government. Dr. Karkera also devotes herself to empowering women in data and AI through formal and informal mentorship programs. She is a founding member of Women Leaders in Data & AI (WLDA) and is the inaugural Chapter Lead for the Federal Government Chapter for Women in Data. Prior to Deloitte, Dr. Karkera served as the Deputy Chief Data Officer (CDO) for the State of Arkansas, where she established the state’s first CDO office and served on Governor Hutchinson’s COVID-19 Technical Advisory Board. Her emphasis on advancing data sharing and spearheading initiatives to improve the effectiveness of government programs and decision-making positioned her as principal expert and passionate leader in data management. In 2022, Dr. Karkera was named Data Leader of the Year by Women Leaders in Data & AI, and in 2023, CDO Magazine named her a Global Data Power Woman and a Leading Data Consultant. She has also been nationally recognized by Women in IT Awards, GovTech Awards & StateScoop 50 Awards for her exemplary contributions to the industry. You can find her actively engaged with the CDO/data community as a speaker and on LinkedIn & X.