Laura Madsen isn’t just a data strategist—she’s a force of nature in the world of data leadership. A globally recognized expert, award-winning data leader, sought-after advisor, keynote speaker, and best-selling author, Laura has spent over 25 years reshaping how organizations think about data.

Her passion? Coaching data leaders to break free from outdated paradigms and drive real, measurable impact. From healthcare to government, manufacturing to tech, Laura has guided organizations through complex data challenges, empowering them to turn information into action. Her no-nonsense, iconoclastic approach challenges the status quo, making her a catalyst for change in an industry often stuck in the past.

Laura is author of four industry books, Healthcare Business Intelligence (Wiley, 2012), Data-Driven Healthcare (Wiley, 2014), Disrupting Data Governance (Technics Publications, 2019), and most recently AI and the Data Revolution (Technics Publications, 2024).  

A powerhouse on stage, Laura has delivered keynote speeches at hundreds of global conferences, igniting conversations and inspiring leaders to rethink their data strategies. Her reputation as a visionary and disruptor makes her the go-to advisor for companies ready to revolutionize the way they use data to fuel growth, innovation, and transformation.

Topics:

  • As digital transformation revolutionizes industries across the globe, businesses are increasingly turning to data-driven decision-making and AI-powered solutions to gain a competitive edge. However, with this rapid evolution comes a myriad of challenges and complexities that demand a fresh perspective and actionable strategies. 

    · Understanding the fundamentals of AI and its implications for data leadership. 

    · Creating an AI framework with dynamic innovation in mind. In this keynote, Laura explains that success isn’t just an endpoint, but a waypoint, a portal that shows you that you were made for even more… if you choose to embrace your ambition, conquer your fear, and actually learn to enjoy the ride. This talk throws down the gauntlet and dares your audience members to dream even bigger.

  • As digital transformation revolutionizes industries, AI-powered solutions offer a competitive edge. However, this rapid evolution is creating challenges and complexities that need fresh perspectives, and the drive for innovation requires equivalent attention to the balancing of risk. Laura Madsen operates at the intersection of these forces. Her latest book, AI & The Data Revolution, guides data leaders with a roadmap to harnessing the power of AI, while mitigating risks and maximizing opportunities.
    Laura's background and years of experience give her a unique and essential perspective, desperately needed in this age of AI disruption. Her Keynote presentation will explore themes including:

    • Revolutions, impermanence, change management and a slinky.  The micro/macro nature of change leading to revolutions.

    • Bridging the gap from what you have today to building AI capabilities

    • Responsible and Ethical AI

    In this keynote, Laura teaches you how to ignore the rules that created your limits, align your energies and your actions, and do work that really matters so that you can live your best life. Aimed at entrepreneurs and misfits, idealists and dreamers, as well as anyone seeking to align who they are with what they do, this talk lights a fire within that catalyzes energy and excitement towards becoming the change agent needed to maximize impact.

  • Change is no longer the status quo, disruption is.  Over the past five years major disruptions have happened in all our lives that have left some of us reeling while others stand tall egging on more.  All people approach disruption differently.  Some seem to adjust, and quickly looked for ways to optimize or create efficiencies for the upcoming change.  Others dig their heels in, question everything and insist on all the answers, in detail, right away.  Then there are the ones that are ready and willing to take on disruption.  In this session you will find out which profile best suits you.  How that applies to big organizational efforts like data and AI.  And finally, how can you bridge the divide between these profiles to harness the disruption and calm the chaos.

    • Disruption Research

    • What is the sustainable disruption model?

    • Take the Quiz

    • Working with others 

    • Three take-aways