Deloitte CEO Cathy Engelbert Seeks More Authority for State Chief Data Officers

Deloitte CEO Cathy Engelbert has called on state governors to expand the authority of chief data officers in their jurisdictions to better manage data collection and analysis efforts, StateScoop reported Monday.

The report noted emerging devices and computer systems have been generating data that could help governments improve its operations. However, Engelbert said most state officials face challenges to organize and analyze vast information.

“I hear all the time ‘we’re drowning in data and starving for insights,’” Engelbert said at the recent National Governors Association meeting in Washington, D.C. “My ask of the governors today is to elevate the chief data officer and to help them be a convener of all agencies.”

At least 18 state governments currently have CDOs or equivalent roles, tasked to coordinate data-sharing across agencies and offices.

Jonathan Gottsegen, Colorado’s top data official, agreed that such officials need more authority in order to extend “the power of the state’s data” across all agencies.