One Woman’s Circuitous Journey to the Role of Chief Data Officer

Charting a course to become a CDO is anything but straightforward. Ursula will share with you how she found her way to the role and the most valuable professional and personal lessons she learned along the way. She struggled with what she wanted to be when she grew up. However, she has found a home in the role of Chief Data Officer. She will share how that happened and provide her thoughts on the journey for others seeking a similar role in data. You’ll laugh and you’ll cringe, but hopefully you will leave with a new perspective on the role of a Chief Data Officer.

Ursula Cottone is the Chief Data Officer and leads the Enterprise Data and Information Management Office. In this capacity she is driving the end-to-end processes for Citizens Bank’s strategic enterprise asset: data. Previously she was at KeyBank for more than 16 plus years in various roles. Most recently she was the first Chief Data Officer providing vision, strategy and policy guidance for data acquisition, usage, and management activities. From 2008 to 2012, she oversaw and directed support related functions of the Corporate Bank, including strategy, support and project management for information technology, marketing, communications, prospecting, and other Corporate Bank-wide initiatives. Prior to that, she was responsible for the sales, service, and financial leadership of 12 branches in Cleveland. From 2003 to 2005 she was responsible for many facets of the Client Experience. Her primary focus included the design, development and deployment of a single instance of Siebel 7 across multiple lines of business. Her responsibilities also included the coordination of diverse project teams including business analysts and technical resources in a matrixed reporting structure. During her tenure with KeyBanc Capital Markets she was responsible for the implementation of a new operating model within the Corporate and Investment Bank – industry based “universal bankers.” This role involved the development of a sales and sales management processes, as well as design and implementation of performance metrics. With her Six Sigma Green Belt, she also led multiple projects through process analysis, future state design, and implementation phases. Prior to joining Key in 1998, she spent four years at American Greetings in both marketing and operations positions. Ursula received her Bachelor of Science degree in business from Bowling Green State University, her MBA from Cleveland State University and certification from the Stonier School of Banking. She is currently on the Board of The Centers for Families and Children. In addition, she volunteers her time with United Way, Junior League of Cleveland and Cleveland Bridge Builders. Ursula has been recognized both within and outside of Key with the KeyCorp Chairman's Award in 2005, the YWCA Women of Professional Achievement in 2010 and most recently as an Honorary Member of Beta Gamma Sigma in 2012.