Iowa
Technology
Summit
DATA TRACK
Bootstrapping Intelligence: Using AI to Fix the Data AI Depends On
APR. 7 / 9:45 AM - 10:45 PM / AUDIENCE-DRIVEN PANEL
About
AI’s potential is often constrained by a Catch‑22: organizations need strong, well‑governed data foundations for AI to work well, yet they also need AI to help uncover, clean, and organize the data required to build those very foundations. This session explores how leaders can break that loop by using AI not only as a consumer of data, but as a powerful accelerator for improving data quality, metadata, and pipelines—so better data and better AI reinforce each other instead of holding each other back.
Panelists
Pierre Hakim
VP, Data & Analytics
Casey's
Pierre Hakim serves as Vice President of Data and Analytics at Casey’s, where he leads high-performing teams accountable for enterprise analytics and the use of data to drive business outcomes. A seasoned data and analytics leader, Pierre brings extensive experience enabling insight‑led and strategic decision‑making across retail, mobility, and marketing loyalty, having previously led Data and Analytics teams at Enterprise Mobility and Tenerity prior to joining Casey’s in 2022. Pierre holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and an MBA from Oklahoma State University.
Sarah Merwine
Director, IT - Data & Analytics
Ruan Transportation Management Systems
Matt Pelham is Vice President of IT Architecture, Data & AI at Sammons Financial Group, where he leads the strategy and execution of enterprise architecture, data platforms, and AI initiatives to drive business value across the organization. He brings deep experience in data strategy, analytics, and technology modernization from leadership roles spanning the insurance and financial services industry. Matthew’s work centers on enabling data-driven decision-making, fostering innovation, and bridging the gap between business strategy and technology execution. He holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business and a Master of Science in Business Analytics from the University of Iowa.
Matt Pelham
VP, IT Architecture, Data & AI
Sammons Financial Group
Matt Pelham is Vice President of IT Architecture, Data & AI at Sammons Financial Group, where he leads the strategy and execution of enterprise architecture, data platforms, and AI initiatives to drive business value across the organization. He brings deep experience in data strategy, analytics, and technology modernization from leadership roles spanning the insurance and financial services industry. Matthew’s work centers on enabling data-driven decision-making, fostering innovation, and bridging the gap between business strategy and technology execution. He holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business and a Master of Science in Business Analytics from the University of Iowa.
Moderator
Laks Krishnamoorthy
Vice President - Data and Analytics
EMC Insurance Companies
Laks Krishnamoorthy is VP of Data & Analytics at EMC Insurance, leading enterprise data modernization and award‑winning digital transformation initiatives. Laks has rich experience building enterprise data platforms, analytics capabilities, and high‑performing teams. Laks partners closely with the Technology Association of Iowa, helping launch and chair the CDAO Roundtable, and is passionate about building a local Iowa community to share practical data and analytics insights that deliver real business impact.
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