Robin Sutara is the Field CDO at Databricks. In her role, she advises hundreds of organisations on data strategy, data culture, and building diverse data teams. Prior to Databricks, Robin spent more than 20 years at Microsoft including CDO Microsoft UK and COO Azure Data Engineering. She was recognized in 2023 as a Top 20 Women in Data and Tech, DataIQ 100 Most Influential People in Data, and Women in Tech Speaker of the Year finalist. Robin is currently serving in a leadership role with Women in Data Global and is a member of Women Leaders in Data and AI.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with the CIO Magazine, Robin shared her professional trajectory, insights on diversity and inclusion in tech, her favorite quote, personal role model, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Robin. Can you walk us through your background and what you’re most passionate about in your work?
My background into data and AI is very non-traditional. I had started university studying computer engineering. But lacking funds to finish, I needed to enter the workforce. So I actually started my career repairing Apache helicopter electrical and weapons systems in the US Army. Computers were relatively novel for broad use, and so it was my first opportunity to interact with one on a regular basis. Most of the others in my platoon felt that computers were typing and thus a women’s role. Which was a great opportunity for me. As I started to use Microsoft Excel to track helicopter maintenance records, I realized the power of data and insight for decisioning. I knew at that point I wanted to work for Microsoft.
After leaving the Army, I found a role doing computer hardware repair while I attended night school for my Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certification. And it was here that I received an opportunity to work at Microsoft based on a referral from the network I built at night school. This led to more than 23 years of an amazing career with Microsoft.
Originally working in a consumer customer service role supporting IE5 on Windows 3.1/95, I held a variety of roles – technical and business at Microsoft. I had the opportunity to act as a technical liaison with some of the most phenomenal customers in the world. I also served as a business program manager as we entered the world with some of the first cloud-based services. Ultimately, my last few roles there were what really gave me the opportunity to see the power of data for transformation.
The first was leading a team of data analysts that were taking customer and partner survey data and combining it with other internal and external data sources to make recommendations to the business on what we needed to improve for a better customer experience. This ranged from licensing models to account team strategy to product feedback. It was an amazing opportunity to see the complexities of an organization and business the size and scale of Microsoft.
The next role was essentially the Chief Operating Officer of Azure Data Engineering. We were experiencing hyperscale growth at the time with some great data products, as well as solving some big data challenges inside the company. We had the opportunity to move from operating models, systems, and processes that worked for a small organization to more data-led decision-making processes and tools to help expedite the growth. And finally, I finished my career at Microsoft as the Chief Data Officer of Microsoft UK. Living in London, I worked with some amazing people to help not only Microsoft be more data driven, but also shared with customers how they could drive data and AI successfully in their organizations.
This experience led to me leaving Microsoft in 2022 and coming to Databricks where I am the Field Chief Data Officer. In my role today, I get to work with hundreds of customers every year on how to take best practices from my experiences combined with other customers on how to be successful with their data and AI strategy execution with a focus on people, process, change management, and organizational design. As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, I am really excited about the problems I see companies and organizations solving with data and AI, as well as what is possible.
What aspects of your current role bring you the most joy and fulfillment?
As mentioned above, what brings me the most fulfillment every day is seeing what can be done today when organizations are focused on transformation using their unique valuable data with the power of their people. The pace of innovation today is amazing, and this is allowing us to solve business and societal problems that were unattainable before. I can’t wait to see what happens in the future.
How do you stay up-to-date with emerging trends and technologies in data management and analytics?
The volume and pace today make it near impossible to stay up-to-date with everything that is happening. I try to prioritize based on the bigger picture of the market. What are the systemic issues and solutions that impact a large component of the ecosystem? How can this be applied to our customers today to help them drive a bigger impact and better future? With this prioritization framework, I can then focus my reading and listening to the relevant articles, books, and podcasts to learn more about the emerging space.
What impact do you believe increased diversity and inclusion would have on innovation, creativity, and progress in your industry?
I believe increased diversity and inclusion improves innovation, creativity, and progress in every industry. For example, looking at AI solutions being built today requires a team of diverse thought, backgrounds, education, culture, gender, race, etc, to ensure we have representation and mitigate the inherent historical bias that exists. Innovation is impossible without questioning the status quo and creating disruption. But disruption only occurs when you have a team that can see a different point of view and push for progress.
What leadership qualities and skills do you believe are essential for driving growth and transformation, and how do you embody those qualities in your own leadership style?
A People-first approach is critical for any growth and transformation. This applies to your organization, your team, and your own personal development. All too often we think of growth and transformation as a new tool, a new skill, a new capability. But it is really about putting a people-centric lens on the objectives. Think about the people in your company or on your team and what is the impact of the transformation on them. Create a plan that enables them and fosters their growth, development and success.
Personally, I try to exhibit qualities such as driving clarity, creating safety, and empowering my team to help foster this transformational mindset. Drive clarity on the goals and objectives. Create a safe space for innovation and agility. And empower them to make decisions knowing that I will support them.
Who has been a personal role model or mentor to you throughout your career, and what qualities or characteristics have you admired or emulated?
My personal role model throughout my career has been my grandmother. The mother of four children, a successful entrepreneur, and a fighter for constant improvement. She survived many trials and tribulations throughout her life. But she always focused on analyzing the problem, investigating alternatives, and driving for action. And I find that I often approach life similarly.
How do you keep your mind healthy and stay resilient? And how do you motivate your team?
I use exercise as a way to keep my mind healthy. Give yourself time to think and solve. When work becomes difficult, I often find it is because I have not given myself enough time or bandwidth to brainstorm. So for me, I train 6-7 days a week for triathlons, endurance activities, and strength training. By setting aside this time that is non-negotiable, I find I can deliver better for my team, my organization, and my family.
What is your favorite quote?
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
What is so exciting about the pace of innovation is that I don’t think the role I will have in five years even exists today. So, I am looking forward to creating my next role to deliver better value for my company, for my family, and for society.
What message or advice would you give to young women or girls who are interested in pursuing a career in data?
Know your superpower, use your voice, give yourself grace. Things will not always go as planned, and that is ok. If you are grounded in who are, what you can do and you do your best, you have done well.