CDO Magazine Interview Series - USCIS CDO Elizabeth Puchek
Video interview with Chief Data Officer at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Elizabeth Puchek.
Donna Roy, Strategic Advisor for the Defense and Security Segment at Guidehouse sits down with Elizabeth Puchek, Chief Data Officer at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in a video interview with CDO Magazine to discuss her journey as a data leader, critical leadership traits, driving data literacy, and the need for building relationships.
Speaking about a leadership trait foundational to her success, Puchek says that she is a good listener and adds that being open-minded without an agenda is also foundational.
“If you don’t have a leader that believes in the importance of data governance, that believes in the power of analysis, that believes in the power of what data can do for an organization, then it’s going to be a struggle.”
— Elizabeth Puchek, Chief Data Officer at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)Speaking on the topic of data literacy, she urges data leaders to start with the organization’s leadership. Lack of leadership buy-in makes it difficult to get buy-in from others and the required resources. Further, Puchek urges new CDOs to build strong relationships with their peers to gain valuable advice, share experiences, and avoid reinventing the wheel. She also suggests they balance big and small efforts because getting quick wins is the fastest way to build credibility and establish partnerships.
Watch the full interview below for more insights.