Fractional CDO and AI Advisory
Hands-on data and AI leadership from someone who has built and led these functions at scale, in manufacturing, CPG, and PE-backed environments you will recognize.
Not a framework from a slide deck. Not theoretical advice from someone who has never held the title. Practical, accountable leadership shaped by real executive experience at Valmont Industries, Lamb Weston, Belden, AFL, and across the industrial mid-market.
Jay Hawkinson
Credentials and experience
NACD Governance Credentials
NACD Directorship Certified
The premier board director certification program
Board governance credential
NACD Effective AI Oversight
In collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University Heinz College
Responsible AI governance
NACD Cybersecurity Oversight
In collaboration with CERT at Carnegie Mellon University
Risk and threat governance
Industry Recognition
Forbes Technology Council
Invitation-only community of senior technology executives
Active Member
ICON Top 100 D&A
Annual recognition of top data and analytics leaders
Data & Analytics recognition
Informatica Award 2023
Business Acceleration Award recipient
Business Acceleration
25+ years building data-driven organizations at scale · PMP certified
Where we engage
Every engagement begins with your situation. Your business context, your organizational constraints, and the decisions you are actually accountable for. The three areas below reflect where this work most commonly creates clarity and momentum.
Strategy and roadmap
I help leaders clarify where data and AI can genuinely move the needle, and where they cannot. The focus is on building a realistic roadmap that aligns ambition with organizational capacity.
- Clarify business outcomes and priorities.
- Shape a multi-year data and AI roadmap
- Align stakeholders around a straightforward, defensible narrative
Platform and architecture
I work with teams to evaluate what they already have, identify gaps, and make pragmatic platform decisions that support near-term progress without creating long-term drag.
- Assess current platforms and technical constraints.
- Define a practical target architecture
- Support vendor and partner decisions
Execution and operating model
Strategy only matters if it translates into action. I help leaders design operating models that connect governance, delivery, and decision making in the real world.
- Define roles, responsibilities, and ways of working
- Connect governance to actual business decisions
- Coach leaders through early execution challenges
Engagement models
Every organization’s situation is different. These three models provide flexibility to match the level of involvement your business needs right now.
Strategic counsel
A steady, confidential sounding board for your highest-stakes data and AI decisions. Pressure-test strategies, navigate organizational complexity, and maintain momentum between board cycles.
Fractional Chief Data and AI Officer
I operate as your CDO in practice, setting direction, building capability, and establishing governance. For organizations that need senior leadership now, without the 12-month executive search.
Board and CEO advisory
The most senior engagement, confidential support for leaders accountable when AI investments succeed or fail. Risk framing, governance design, and board-level clarity. Available exclusively through Hawksroost. Explore at Hawksroost →
How we work together
“Jay is a big picture thinker who can think strategically and then quickly turn around and decompose that strategy all the way down to the smallest technical details. During my career, I have found this to be a very rare and highly valuable quality.“
Stacey Fedorka, Chief Information Officer, Exactech, Former CIO, AFL. Managed Jay directly.
Investment and outcomes
Clear investment expectations for serious decision makers.
“Jay has a unique ability to break down data and IT topics and make them relatable to the company at large. He shares his knowledge freely and selflessly — I have personally been the beneficiary of his generosity.”
“Jay is a big picture thinker who can think strategically and then quickly turn around and decompose that strategy all the way down to the smallest technical details. During my career, I have found this to be a very rare and highly valuable quality.”
Specific scope and investment determined during initial conversation
Confidential exploration conversation
This is a fit check, not a sales call. We discuss your context, goals, and constraints and decide together whether there is a genuine match.
Engagement design
We agree on scope, pace, and level of involvement based on your needs and timeline.
Initial 90-day focus
We concentrate on outcomes that build clarity, momentum, and credibility with stakeholders.
Review and adjust
We reassess what is working and decide whether to extend, shift focus, or taper to lighter advisory support.
Not ready for advisory or fractional leadership yet?
If you’d prefer to start with tools, structured guidance, and peer learning, memberships provide a lighter on-ramp. Many members later move into advisory when deeper support is needed.
Let’s talk about what you are trying to decide
If you are exploring how data and AI can support your business, I’m happy to have a conversation and see if there is a fit.
Schedule a Confidential Conversation