Rishi Bhatnagar is CEO of Syntelli Solutions Inc., a premium provider of advanced analytics services. He is a powerhouse of all things data, emanating new ideas for making data work! Syntelli stands for ‘Synchronizing Intelligence with Data’. Rishi is also the Founding Chair of the Analytics & Big Data Society (ABDS), which contributes to the community by Using Data for Social Good. The ABD Society forms a community where corporates, practitioners, and educational institutions come together to share ideas, experiences, and use-cases. Rishi serves on many different advisory boards, enjoys playing chess with his son, and hiking with family and friends.

Rick is the Chief Information Officer for SPX Corp headquartered in Charlotte NC. In this role, Rick is responsible for all facets of Information Technology representing Corporate IT, HVAC, Detection & Measurement and Engineered Solutions businesses. Prior to SPX Rick worked for Ford Motor Company and Visteon Corporation in Michigan for 20 years as well as Nissan Corporation in Tennessee for 5 years operating in various Information Technology leadership positions. In addition to the ABD Society, Rick is a Board Member for the Children’s Attention Home in Rock Hill, SC and he is also a Board Advisor for Project 2 Heal in Waxhaw, NC. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family, watching Detroit Red Wing hockey, driving cars and riding his motorcycle.

John Thomas serves as EVP of Data Science for Red Ventures.  He has launched and overseen a machine-learning powered transformation of Red Ventures digital funnel. Prior to joining Red Ventures, John has started and led several Boston-area startups’ data science teams in a variety of industries including social media analytics, online advertising, and telecom analytics. John earned his BS in Mathematics and Computer Science from Gettysburg College and MS and PhD in Computer Science at Dartmouth College.  Outside of Red Ventures, he serves as the Vice President of the Analytics & Big Data Society in Charlotte and as a member of the advisory board of Wake Forests’ MS of Business Analytics program.

Nikhil Sawant is an Executive-Level Chief Information Officer and Global Shared Services Leader with deep experience in directing cross-functional teams of business and technical experts using enabling technologies to achieve business growth. Well-versed in Business Analytics, Trade Promotion Planning, Demand & Supply Planning, Cybersecurity, Mobile, Cloud and Digital Transformation of a company, Nikhil is an Information Technology leader with the ability to establish consensus between diverse groups across all functions, cultures and multiple levels of organization with experience in the United States, Europe and Asia. Nikhil has extensive Board experience, including being a former Member of the Board of Trustees for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Atlantic Chapter and a current Member of the Board of Directors for Crisis Assistance Ministry. He holds a Governing Body Advisory Role for the Charlotte CIO Executive Summit hosted by Evanta, a CEB company; an Executive Advisory Council Role for the Charlotte Premier CIO Forum; and is a Member of the National Association of Corporate Directors. Nikhil received his Master’s degree in Computer Science from University of Mumbai, India.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Tammy earned her BS in Marketing from Penn State University and also holds an MA in Education. She has had a passion for pursing social good endeavors since she relocated to Charlotte 14 years ago, where she worked with the ESL refugee population, the disadvantaged youth, and, most recently, domestic victims of human trafficking. From 2016-18, she served as Director of Development for Redeeming Joy, and the housing and restoration center for female sex-trafficking victims. With this experience, Tammy took on the role of a subject-matter expert at the UNCC Data Analytics Initiative that worked to determine the prevalence of sex trafficking in North Carolina. This further led to an opportunity to serve as a mentor and judge in the 2017 Queen City Hackathon. Tammy now works in the capacity of Executive Director for the ABD Society; striving towards its mission of using analytics for social good. She also serves as a subject-matter expert for the CWA of North Carolina, is co-founder of a new anti-trafficking non-profit, acts as a legislative team leader for the Cabarrus County Trafficking Task Force, and has given input to our General Assembly members regarding House Bill 910- Human Trafficking: Resistance and Rescue.

As VP & CIO for AAA Carolinas, Raja provides thought leadership for enterprise technology and innovation, defining and driving technology strategies, and data driven insights to deliver a seamless member experience. Prior to joining AAA Carolinas, Raja led IT Strategy and Roadmap Development, Post-Merger Integration and Organizational Change Management for AAA Club Alliance.

Raja came to AAA from The Steritech Group, where he led the technology transformation leveraging the latest in cloud, mobile and analytics to conceive and develop market leading software solutions providing actionable insights for their B2B clients.

Recognized in May 2013 as a rising vanguard in the industry on CIO Magazine's prestigious "Ones to Watch" list, Raja has utilized his expertise in technology strategy, organizational design, business process optimization, continuous improvement, and analytics-driven innovation and extended product/service differentiation in the market, increased business agility and grew revenues for organizations across a diverse set of industries.