Omar Khawaja
CDAO
Givaudan
Omar Khawaja is a data and analytics thought leader with over 23 years of experience in the software, consumer goods and life sciences industries. Omar is passionate about creating business value with data and AI. He also has multiple years of experience in leading the development and operations of data and analytics platforms, design, architecture and data products.
Omar is also an active member of the LinkedIn data and analytics community where you can listen to his podcast interviews and webinars. For fun, he enjoys spending time with his family, hiking and reading.
Learn more about the DACH CDAO community here.
Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
I am currently working as Global Head of Data & Analytics / CDAO for Givaudan. Before joining Givaudan, I worked at Roche for 3.5 years leading the business intelligence and analytics team for Roche Diagnostics. There, I spearheaded the implementation of data mesh and drove the overall platform strategy for Informatics.
Before joining Roche, I worked at Novartis in Basel, Switzerland, where I performed various roles over ten years. I am originally from Pakistan, and I first started at Novartis in my home country as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for more than two years. I moved to Switzerland in 2012 as CIO for Novartis Pharma Services (Exports Headquarters for Novartis). I also held other roles like the Regional Business Partner for emerging markets, and spent the last 4 years at Novartis in data and insights roles. I led the sales insights team in the Commercial IT organisation ,and prior to joining Roche, I was leading the commercial analytics team as part of the Analytics Center of Excellence for Novartis.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
Be the change you want to see in the world.
With disruption being a key theme of recent years, where do you see the CDAO role going in the next 1-2 years?
I see my role as driving the business value through data and AI and helping the organisation to navigate disruption smoothly.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a CDAO?
Understand the business and align the data and analytics strategy and priorities with business strategy.
Tell us a few fun facts about yourself.
When I am not working, I like to spend time hiking, gardening and cooking.
Evanta Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.
by CDAOs, for CDAOs
Join the conversation with peers in your local CDAO community.