Agenda - Benelux Chief Data Officer Network

2026 Agenda

Your time is maximised onsite through a combination of keynote presentations, workshops, interactive discussion groups, pre-arranged one-to-one meetings & quality networking sessions

Day 1
Day 2

Monday 15th June 2026

08:30 - 09:00

Arrival, registration & breakfast networking

09:00 - 09:15

Introduction from the Network Group & Chairperson

A brief introduction to the event software, SNS — this software, unique to the industry, empowers our attendees to make the most effective use of their time at the event by maximising networking opportunities. The software designs a personalised agenda & enables attendees to arrange one-to-one meetings with each other. This will be followed by a welcome from the chairperson.

09:15 - 09:45

Strengthening Data Accountability with Governance Frameworks

Allocating data ownership responsibilities to senior leaders to uphold accountability for data decision-making
Utilising data catalogues to widen staff access to data and increase data transparency
Adapting data privacy guidelines to ensure ethical usage of company information

Mark Sheehan, VP Data Platform, Corporate Markets, Elsevier

09:45 - 10:15

Simplifying Data Marketplaces to Align Data Product Standards

Regular reviews of data marketplaces to identify areas for improving data product standards
Utilising data marketplaces to select tools for automating product standard alignment
Key advice on supporting staff to integrate data marketplaces into working practices

Dik Harbrecht, Head of Enterprise Data Architecture, Shell

10:15 - 10:45

Strengthening Data Architecture to Utilise Data as a Business Asset

Adapting data flow structures to enable usage of AI tools
Establishing pathways to increase efficiency in data exchanges
Aligning data products with business strategies to contribute towards company objectives

Veronique Hijl, Head of Department Data, Algorithms & Processes, De Nederlandsche Bank

10:45 - 11:00

Coffee break & networking

11:00 - 11:25

Workshop 1

Beyond Chat with Data: Building Enterprise-Ready Analytics Experiences with AI

Marcos Monteiro, Co-Founder & CEO, Veezoo

11:25 - 11:50

Networking

11:50 - 12:15

Workshop 2

ClickHouse: From Humans to Agents

Jeroen Berckenkamp, Sales Director Benelux & Pascal van den Nieuwendijk, Sales Director Benelux, ClickHouse

12:15 - 12:40

Networking

12:40 - 13:05

Workshop 3

The Business Case for an Agentic Context Layer

Sean Walsh, Co-Founder / CEO, metagem.ai
Patrick van Kalken, Director One Data (CDO), Nutreco

11:00 - 13:05

One-to-One meetings

Intelligently matched one-to-one meetings:

Advanced Analytics
AI/Machine Learning
Big Data
Business Intelligence
Data Governance & Compliance
Data Integration
Data Management
Data Mesh
Data Observability
Data Privacy/Security
Data Skills & Literacy
Data Visualisation
Data, AI & Analytics Consulting
DataOps
Digital Transformation
Generative AI & LLM’s
IOT

13:05 - 14:00

Networking Lunch hosted by Veezo

Stream 1 - Data-Driven Workplaces

14:00 - 14:35

From Leadership Intent to Daily Decisions: Why Data Governance Is a Human and AI Risk Discipline

Data Governance is one of the key translation layers between intent and behavior
AI does not introduce new risk — it amplifies unresolved human ambiguity
Data Quality is a safe way to raise concerns without blaming people

Ben De Jong, Chief Data Officer BeNelux, Saint-Gobain

Stream 2 - Data & Technology

14:00 - 14:35

Leading Data & AI Transformation: Practical Lessons for Creating Real Organizational Change

Practical lessons from driving data science and AI initiatives to valuable solutions
Why transformation succeeds only when leadership is informed and supportive, and tech and business work closely together
How value emerges from organizational change rather than technology alone

Sanne Menning, Head of Data & Analytics, Rabobank

14:35 - 15:10

Developing Data-Driven Cultures Across Organisations in line with Business Operations

Creating a unified Data Strategy for all departments starts by identifying key organizational challenges.
How to use current challenges to leverage the Data culture bringing a direct value
How to fully incorporate the data culture in the day to day activities in all organizational layers

Stéphanie Remy, Head of Data Strategy & Program, UCB

15:10 -15:25

Coffee break & networking

15:25 - 15:50

Workshop 4

Building on Rock, Not Sand: How the Salesforce & Informatica Powerhouse Eliminates the "Hallucination Gap"

Steve Holyer, Data Platform Leader, Informatica

15:50 - 16:15

Networking

16:15 - 16:40

Workshop 5

AI in Analytics: From Data Pipeline to Decision

Hosted by Marie Fenner, Global SVP, Analytics, Piano

16:40 - 17:05

Networking

15:25 - 17:05

One-to-One meetings

Intelligently matched one-to-one meetings:

Advanced Analytics
AI/Machine Learning
Big Data
Business Intelligence
Data Governance & Compliance
Data Integration
Data Management
Data Mesh
Data Observability
Data Privacy/Security
Data Skills & Literacy
Data Visualisation
Data, AI & Analytics Consulting
DataOps
Digital Transformation
Generative AI & LLM’s
IOT

17:05 - 17:55

Panel Discussion: Utilising AI Tools & Systems to Strengthen Data Management Strategies

Allocating resources to invest in AI as part of increasing automation in data management processes
Evaluating data product marketplaces to select AI systems that meet organisational data needs
Key tips on supporting staff transition to new AI tools as part of their working systems

Santanu Dawn, Head of Master Data & Analytics, Goodyear
Claudia Ferrari, Head of Global Data Protection Office, dsm-firmenich
Tertia Wiedenhof, Head of Data & Insights, Rabobank
Michael Vogel, Director of Automation & Analytics, Bayer

19:00

Networking dinner & drinks reception

Tuesday 16th June 2026

08:30 - 09:00

Morning registration & breakfast

09:00 - 10:10

Roundtable discussions

Join group discussions with your peers on some of the most challenging & significant data topics—please confirm attendance prior to the session. Each host will facilitate the discussion & give a short presentation of key findings in the wrap up session.

Roundtable 1: Growing Data Teams

Sander Knol, Head of Analytics & Insights, Eneco

Roundtable 2: Governing AI Co-Workers

Antonella Sussarellu, Head of Data Management, Heineken

Roundtable 3: Data Architecture

Pedro Hernández Serrano, Head of Data Stewardship Services, Maastricht University

Roundtable 4: Data Governance

Corina Salagean, Head of Data & Analytics Enabling, Tata Steel

Roundtable 5: Embedding Data into Business Decision-Making

Kamalika Ghosh, Head of Data Strategy & Engineering, Philips

Roundtable 6: Data Quality

Vikas Saini, Director, Global IT - Data & Analytics, B&I & CS, Orbia

10:10 - 10:45

Roundtable Wrap-up

Each host gives a short overview of key findings from their discussion & creates an ideas board to be distributed post event with the presentations.

10:45 - 11:00

Coffee break & networking

11:00 - 11:25

Workshop 6

Data at the Speed of Business: Reimagining Data Architectures for Real-Time Business Impact

Peter den Haan, Chief Technical Officer & Technical Community Leader – Netherlands, IBM Technology & Fouad Allabari, Data Transformation Offering Lead & Microsoft NCEE Lead, IBM

11:25 - 11:50

Networking

11:50 - 12:15

Open Forum Think Tank

Cloud Systems

Benjamin Cohen, Director of Data, Deel

12:15 - 12:40

Networking

12:40 - 13:05

Open Forum Think Tank

Data Engineering

Erbin Lim, Director of Engineering, Pfizer

11:00-13:05

One-to-One meetings

Intelligently matched one-to-one meetings:

Advanced Analytics
AI/Machine Learning
Big Data
Business Intelligence
Data Governance & Compliance
Data Integration
Data Management
Data Mesh
Data Observability
Data Privacy/Security
Data Skills & Literacy
Data Visualisation
Data, AI & Analytics Consulting
DataOps
Digital Transformation
Generative AI & LLM’s
IOT

13:05 - 14:00

Networking Lunch

Stream 1 - Data Engagement

14:00 - 14:35

Aligning Data Democratisation Policies to Widen Staff Access to Company Information

Integrating data silos to improve data analysis processes
Designing dashboards to increase efficiency in accessing data
Guidance on supporting non-technical staff to interpret and utilise data as part of their working processes

Martijn van Velzen, Associate Director - Central Data Platform, NIBC

Stream 2 - Data Engagement

14:00 - 14:35

Organisational Transformation to Generate Most Value out of Digital Transformation Journey - Traditional Data Infrastructure to Modern AI Embedded Data Platforms

Beyond just technology: Value creation comes from cohesive plan that includes strategy, people, process, systems and data
Journey from traditional data infrastructure to modern AI embedded platform and learnings
Exponential value and adoption when functions co-creators of data products

Akshay Basrur, Head - Global Operations Data & Analytics, Versuni

15:10 - 15:55

Unlocking User Adoption: The Critical Role of Data Quality in Driving System and Tool Success

Seamless Data Integration: Guarantee smooth, error-free data flow across systems
Consistent & Reliable Data: Deliver trustworthy, uniform data that empowers users with confidence and enhances their overall experience
Transforming Data into Business Value: Leverage high-quality data as a strategic asset to secure business growth

Jacco Stam, Head of Supply Chain Insights & Analytics Europe, Mars

15:10 - 15:55

Panel Discussion: Implementing Data Security Strategies to Protect Company Digital Assets

Tailoring data product training schemes to enable staff to report increasingly sophisticated threats
Key tips on supporting staff to incorporate encryption software into working processes
Designing incident response scenario testing exercises to increase efficiency in post-attack recovery plans

Trui Lanckriet, Business Director, DGN, Mediahuis
Sandeep Mahajan, Head of IT & Data Architecture, Isero
Pejman Memar, Head of Data & IT Solutions, Televic

15:55 - 16:00

Closing remarks from the Chairperson

2026 Agenda

Arrival, registration & breakfast networking

Introduction from the Network Group & Chairperson

Strengthening Data Accountability with Governance Frameworks

Simplifying Data Marketplaces to Align Data Product Standards

Strengthening Data Architecture to Utilise Data as a Business Asset

Workshop 1

Workshop 2

Workshop 3

One-to-One meetings

From Leadership Intent to Daily Decisions: Why Data Governance Is a Human and AI Risk Discipline

Leading Data & AI Transformation: Practical Lessons for Creating Real Organizational Change

Developing Data-Driven Cultures Across Organisations in line with Business Operations

Workshop 4

Workshop 5

One-to-One meetings

Panel Discussion: Utilising AI Tools & Systems to Strengthen Data Management Strategies

Request an invitation or book your place now