2025 Great Lakes Data, AI & Analytics Summit

PR Agencies have historically been a place for words and relationships, not numbers, despite the best efforts of large SaaS companies to capitalize on the need for communications expertise. With Delve (by Marker Collective), a small team of AI + development experts tapped a chorus of SMEs across PR and Analytics functions at three agencies to grow a product from the seed of need. It’s a use case many will hopefully identify with and replicate as AI expertise empowers agile teams with new development opportunities for companies small and large.

Presented by: Aaron Lemly, Outcast PR (Next 15 Communications) & Dylan Pyle, Marker Collective (Next 15 Communications)

Aaron is Senior Director of Marketing Analytics at Outcast PR, supporting innovative clients like OpenAI, Amazon, Meta, and Bloomberg Philanthropies. He leads measurement, KPI setting, business intelligence, and data product development across the US and Europe, providing actionable insights for PR, social, and paid campaigns. Aaron is a founding member of Outcast's AI adoption and consultancy practice, leveraging agile and lean methodologies to streamline processes and drive innovation.

Dylan Pyle, Marker Collective

Dylan serves as CTO at Marker, a joint venture from three leading communications agencies—Archetype, Outcast PR, and Nectar. At Marker, he leads product development efforts, building software products to accelerate agency teams and deliver data-driven tools and insights to customers. Before Marker, Dylan spent over a decade in engineering leadership roles, including as co-founder of CALA (acquired by H&M), a pioneer in apparel software and generative AI.

In this session, Apurva will share her journey in pioneering the Data Governance and Engineering Excellence program at Autodesk, to support Enterprise Data Hub that became the foundation for data products across the entire company. She will dive into key lessons learned around change management, offering valuable insights on how to successfully drive adoption and ensure lasting impact for programs like this. With a focus on best practices and strategies that resonate across teams, Apurva will provide a roadmap for fostering collaboration and empowering an organization to fully embrace data-driven transformation.

Presented by: Apurva Wadodkar, AutoDesk

Apurva Wadodkar is a seasoned leader in Data Science and Advanced Analytics, with over 20 years of experience turning data into powerful business tools. Her expertise lies in pairing well-governed, high-quality data with cutting-edge AI/ML products to create solutions that are as reliable as they are innovative. Whether it’s driving transformative growth, streamlining operations, or unlocking hidden efficiencies, Apurva knows how to make data work smarter and harder for businesses.

Apurva is a dedicated mentor with a mission to shape the next generation of tech leaders. As an advisory board member for the Michigan Council of Women in Technology, Apurva combines her passion for diversity with her commitment to nurturing talent, creating opportunities that inspire and empower future innovators in technology.

In this presentation, I will delve into the transformative role of generative AI (GenAI) in accelerating the need for Data Unification within organizations. This innovative process unites various data-driven functions—such as enterprise integration, reporting, AI development, and data science—around a shared core of information, despite differing objectives. Central to this strategy is the implementation of a Logical Data Fabric, which is critical for transcending simple centralization. It ensures that data is not only centralized but also harmonized across the organization, making it accessible, consistent, and actionable.

The integration of GenAI with a Logical Data Fabric has been pivotal in this shift, enabling faster integration and real-time data processing that are essential for agile decision-making in today’s fast-paced business landscapes. This approach not only boosts data analytics capabilities, including predictive insights and enhanced governance, but also significantly improves operational efficiency by reducing redundancies and streamlining data management. The Logical Data Fabric thus serves as the backbone of Data Unification, enabling a seamless flow of information that supports diverse business needs and drives organizational success.

Learn how Logical Data Fabric

- Enables Enterprise-Wide consistent data management practices that are standardized yet flexible enough to meet the specific needs of different departments

- Fosters cross-functional collaboration by providing a common platform where data from various business functions can be integrated and analyzed cohesively

- Scales effectively to accommodate increasing data volumes and complexity ensuring that data management remains robust and agile and capable of supporting both current and future business demands.

Presented by: Terry Dorsey, Denodo

Terry, a seasoned IT professional with 30 years of experience, serves as the Senior Data Architect and North America's Evangelist for Denodo. She holds degrees in Applied Mathematics, Information Science, and Analytics and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Data Science at Harrisburg University. With a rich career spanning various industries, Terry has significantly contributed to Business Intelligence, Software Development, Integration, and Enterprise-level Architecture. Her expertise includes operationalizing AI, leading Enterprise Integration, facilitating Cloud and ERP migrations, and establishing self-service analytics.

Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) has transformed content creation by enabling enterprises to leverage AI with their own data. In this talk we share the journey of developing WordSmith, a RAG application built on the Microsoft technology stack and OpenAI model APIs.  WordSmith is designed to assist marketing staff at SmithGroup, a leading architecture and engineering firm, streamline responses to project RFPs. We walk through the development of WordSmith from its initial POC to a fully developed production system, discussing key technical decisions, challenges, lessons learned along the way, and what is on the horizon. Attendees will gain insights about search and retrieval techniques, securely integrating enterprise data, and deploying scalable AI solutions that drive business impact.

Presented by: Peter McNally, SmithGroup

Peter is an accomplished Data Scientist with over 15 years of experience leveraging advanced analytics, machine learning, and data visualization to drive business and operational insights. Currently working at SmithGroup, Peter has held similar roles at Ford Motor Company, Incite Informatics and XPO Logistics. Peter recently presented work at the ASHRAE Building Performance Conference and was published in the Journal of Building Engineering. He holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and a dual Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Philosophy, both from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

In a growing company, having a data strategy is the difference between efficiency and chaos. Without one, teams operate ad hoc, doing repetitive work, while facing inefficiencies and missed opportunities. A data strategy isn’t a one-time decision, it must evolve with business needs and client expectations.

My talk will cover three key phases of data strategy:

1. Establishing a Foundation: Defining data collection, storage, and reporting to align with business goals, while balancing resource constraints.

2. Recognizing When to Evolve: Identifying signals like process inefficiencies, changing client needs, and new product developments that indicate it’s time to revisit the strategy.

3. Adapting the Strategy by Modifying, Expanding, or Pivoting

- Modify: Improve reporting or visualization for clarity.

- Expand: Collect new data or enhance metadata to meet growing business needs.

- Pivot: Adjust entirely due to major business or technical shifts.

Presented by: Ally Cronander, AdAdapted

Ally is the Team Lead of Analytics & Data at AdAdapted, where she leverages over five years of experience in AdTech to drive data-driven decision-making. She specializes in analytics and business intelligence solutions that empower both clients and internal teams with actionable insights. With a degree in Statistics and Computational Mathematics from Michigan State University, Ally has a passion for turning complex data into strategic opportunities. Originally from Michigan, she now resides in Denver, Colorado, where she enjoys skiing and hiking with her dog, Basil.

Presented by: Evan Delcamp and Rachel Sanders, Trinity Health IHA

In this session, join Trinity Health Michigan Medical Groups’ Business Intelligence professionals for a look at our journey of implementing successful data strategies across the state. These strategies, which originated with the Southeast Michigan Medical Group, involve the formation of our BI team and overcoming growth challenges by empowering others to leverage data effectively. We’ll discuss our approaches to developing self-serve tools, fostering trust and buy-in, and uplifting non-technical users with support and training. Discover ways to engage customers through collaborative discussions, spark curiosity for data, and build digestible insights. Learn from our experiences in cultivating a data-driven mindset across all levels of our organization, from leadership to frontline employees.

Evan Delcamp has worked as a Business Intelligence Analyst at Trinity Health Michigan Medical Group since 2021. He has a passion for answering difficult questions with data, and enjoys fostering that curiosity for data in others. His interest in patient care analytics has been evident while leading many critical projects, including reporting tools for understanding provider messaging and patient access to care. Evan is currently enrolled in a Master’s in Data Science program at University of Michigan in order to strengthen his analytical skills further. Prior to working at Trinity Health Michigan Medical Group, he received a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Eastern Michigan, with a concentration in Economics and a minor in Mathematics.

Rachel Sanders, Trinity Health IHA

Rachel Sanders has worked in the healthcare industry for 25+ years, both on the clinical and administrative sides. She joined Trinity Health Michigan Medical Group’s Business Intelligence team as a BI Analyst in 2022 after holding a variety of previous roles within the organization, such as Revenue AR Manager, Applications Specialist, EMR Analyst, and became a credentialed Epic trainer during the organization’s largest EMR implementation. Being a past customer of the BI group, she understands the gap between technical and non-technical users and how to meet people where they are at. She enjoys training users on their tools and supporting customers with their organizational goals and growing programs.

Drive faster time-to-value for business insights with AI-powered SAP solutions. This session explores how customers leverage SAP Analytics Cloud, the SAP Business Technology Platform, and the Business Data Cloud to rapidly deliver impactful results. Learn how SAP simplifies data integration across silos, combining SAP application data with external sources while preserving crucial business context.

Presented by: Bob Sakalas, SAP

Many customers struggle to maximize the value of complex I.T. landscapes. Bob helps customers understand key issues and new opportunities with clarity. In a career that spans more than three decades, his mission has always been simplifying innovation topics. He currently serves as the Business Technology Platform (BTP) Evangelist for North America.

Join MSXi and GoodData to explore how together they are transforming the auto industry with custom data products. Learn how MSXi leverages GoodData's platform to build scalable, multi-tenant solutions tailored to the unique needs of auto manufacturers. Discover best practices, key challenges, and real-world examples of creating data-driven insights that improve decision-making, drive efficiency, and unlock new business opportunities.

Presented by: Ryan Dolley, GoodData and MSXi customer

Ryan Dolley is Vice President of Product Strategy at GoodData and co-host of the Super Data Brothers Show. He has 13 years experience in the analytics and business intelligence industry as an engineer, consultant and product executive. He's an avid dungeon master, chicken farmer, husband and father to 3 children.

Larry is the Vice President of Information Technology at Ziebart International Corporation in Troy, Michigan, with over 25 years of expertise in IT operations, software engineering, and AI-driven solutions. In his current role, Larry leads a diverse team of software and network engineers, security specialists, and data analysts, driving the deployment and maintenance of advanced technology infrastructures. He has spearheaded major initiatives, including migrating on-premise servers to Microsoft Azure, rebuilding comprehensive IT infrastructures, and developing a custom AI agentic framework to orchestrate complex tasks using natural language. Larry's AI innovations encompass model fine-tuning, RAG systems, text-to-speech and speech-to-text, object classification in video and images, chatbots, and various other AI-driven applications. Additionally, he authored a Microsoft-published paper on 3-Tier data architecture. Larry holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management and multiple certifications from MIT in Cyber Security, Data Science, and Machine Learning. Passionate about leveraging data and AI to solve complex challenges, Larry is excited to share his insights and collaborate with industry leaders at the Great Lakes Data, AI & Analytics Summit.

Ryan, with a remarkable 31-year career, has traversed diverse landscapes, from the intricate workings of FA-18 Aircraft weapons systems in the US Navy to his current role as Vice President of Enterprise Analytics at Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. His journey has been nothing short of rewarding, and the situations he’s navigated have shaped a unique perspective on team building and innovation. Ryan’s broad experience stems from his insatiable curiosity. He’s explored various domains, always seeking to understand the intricate gears that power organizations. Ryan’s journey has seen him don multiple hats—Internal Audit, IT infrastructure, Enterprise Cloud Architecture, Data Engineering, and Analytics. Armed with a master’s degree in information security, Ryan has fortified his expertise in safeguarding critical data while his passion lies in continuous improvement. Whether it’s optimizing processes, fostering innovation, or nurturing talent, he’s always offering ways he can help the organization move forward.

Fiona McPherson Grant has spent 20+ years in healthcare data and analytics, including pivotal roles in international software, Nth American health systems and payers in enterprise information management., business systems analysis and leading business intelligence teams.

With expertise in developing data transformation strategies, fostering customer relationships and driving technology adoption, she excels in transforming data into actionable insights. Her career is underpinned by a commitment to innovation and excellence in the healthcare data analytics space.

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Fiona partners with customers to maximize value from their data product investments. She is currently CEO of FMG Data Works.

Nathan has over two decades of experience in logistics and supply chain management, focused heavily in the Automotive sector. He is currently a Senior Director of Supply Chain Excellence at Ryder Integrated Logistics, leading the full domestic LLP operations for a major Automotive OEM.  Nathan holds a B.S. in Pure Mathematics from the University of Michigan and has a proven track record of focusing on cost savings and network efficiency. managing high-level strategic initiatives, including the implementation of cloud-based analytics to move beyond traditional reporting into improved cross-functional decision-making.  He pushes people development as a primary focus and strives to continuously improve both his and his team’s leadership competencies using anything from traditional organizational experts to ancient Stoicism. Beyond his professional life, Nathan enjoys being a gigging musician and trying to narrow down the hundreds of hours of podcasts in his queue. 

David is the Chief Administrative Officer of North. In this role, David oversees, among other things, North's collections, compliance, legal, risk, and underwriting departments. His focus is to help guide the North’s business units successfully through the complex maze of laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines that apply to the payments industry, and to do so in a manner that enables North to maintain its position as a market leader. 

Under David's supervision, North has taken the lead in the payments industry in its utilization of data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Today, these tools represent important components of North's underwriting and risk decisioning processes. Given this success, North is currently building a productized version of these tools, which it expects to bring to the merchant acquiring market in early 2026. 

Russell Page serves as Chief Data and Information Officer. Russell oversees our data and technology strategies and the safeguard of customer profiles. In this role, he is also responsible for leading several areas of our DIT strategy including Analytics and Data Science, Cyber Security and Information Security, Corporate Systems, Network and Infrastructure Management, and Data and Storage Management. Prior to Hagerty, Russell was a member of the General Motors Financial Leadership Team, serving as the Head of Strategy & Growth for OnStar Insurance. He was responsible for strategy formulation and management, including organizational planning, leading strategic initiatives, M&A, partnerships, transformation, enterprise data, B2B relationships, and overall portfolio management.

Before General Motors, Russell served as CEO & President of DaRK Capital, a privately held technology holding company, and its worldwide operating subsidiaries. During his tenure, Russell spearheaded innovation in artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML), Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to serve the insurance and transportation markets under the Imprezzio and OmniPark brands. Under Russell’s leadership, the company was named the #1 mid-sized business to work for in the Inland Northwest and recognized as a Top 25 Insurtech by CIO Applications.

Russell’s background also includes both business and technology leadership roles, serving companies such as Taylor Corporation, State Farm Insurance and Plymouth Rock Assurance.

Russell holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Eureka College and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Idaho. He lives in Southeastern Michigan and enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, Dallas and Reagan.