Petco, San Diego, California, United States: Anant Agarwal, Manager, IT Master Data Management (MDM) & Data Governance

Written answers to the questions

I am a seasoned customer data management, Master Data Management, and Data Governance professional with over 18 years of solid industry experience. I have consistently transformed business outcomes through data-driven insights and innovation. Throughout my career, I have led initiatives that integrate data strategy, governance, and advanced analytics to deliver transformative business results. As the Manager of Master Data Management (MDM) and Data Governance at Petco Health and Wellness Company, I spearheaded critical projects that optimized data quality and drove significant business impact. 

One of my most notable achievements was leading a transformative omnichannel initiative that enhanced customer satisfaction, optimized workflows, and increased operational efficiency. This initiative resulted in $4.7 million in cost savings and an $8.7 million year-over-year sales increase through improved customer retention and experience. By eliminating duplicates across 18 million customer records and synchronizing data across teams, I created a seamless and unified Omni-channel customer experience.

I also implemented robust data governance frameworks, which addressed over 47 critical data and process issues, and improved data health, with potential to achieve a 34% improvement by the end of 2025. Negotiating contracts and streamlining data processes contributed to an additional $0.25 million annual savings.

I delivered similar transformative results in other projects. I developed end-to-end data flow diagrams for over 21 ERP systems and automated reporting processes and created dashboards in ServiceNow, saving 1,600 work hours annually. My leadership on continuous improvement projects reduced errors by 18%, increased efficiency across 50 global locations, and improved the master data update time from four weeks to 4.5 business days. These improvements supported over 1,500 employees and stakeholders, enhancing operational excellence.

Additionally, I optimized supply chain metrics, resulting in $1.35 million in annual cost savings. By implementing real-time updates for suppliers and designing Power BI dashboards, I improved visibility, reduced demand variability by 13%, and increased throughput by 8%. These achievements show my ability to align technology solutions with strategic business objectives.

Beyond my professional achievements, I have been honored with several accolades recognizing my contributions to data management and strategic business leadership. Notably, I received the Indian Achievers’ Award 2024 and the 2024 Global Recognition Award for my groundbreaking work in data transformation. This honor underscores my ability to innovate and deliver measurable results across diverse sectors. Additionally, I was awarded the Claro Business Award for my dedication to excellence in data governance and transformation. 

My contributions to the industry have also been recognized through invitations to serve as a judge for the Claro Awards and the Globee Awards, where I helped identify and celebrate industry leaders. In addition, I have served as a judge in various prestigious hackathons - Dev Post an Live AI Ivy Plus,, where I assess projects that focus on innovative uses of data and AI technologies. These roles have allowed me to contribute to developing the next generation of tech leaders, fostering innovation, and promoting excellence in the field.

As an AI Frontier Network Ambassador and member of AI 2030, I remain at the forefront of technological advancements. These roles enable me to shape artificial intelligence's future and its enterprise data management applications. My scholarly pursuits complement my professional endeavors. I have authored peer-reviewed articles for leading conferences and journals, contributing to the broader data strategy and analytics discourse. I integrate innovative solutions into my work by staying abreast of emerging trends, ensuring organizations remain agile and competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. 

The Stevie Award aligns seamlessly with my professional achievements, offering a platform to recognize my extraordinary contributions to my organization and the industry. I am confident that my proven track record of success and my commitment to advancing the field make me a strong candidate for this esteemed award.

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I am a seasoned professional with 18 years of experience in data analytics, focusing on Master Data Management (MDM) and Data Governance at Petco. Before joining Petco, I led significant projects at Xylem, where I developed end-to-end data flow diagrams for over 21 ERP systems and automated reporting processes. Earlier, at Sobisk Foods, I optimized supply chain metrics, achieving $1.35 million in annual cost savings by enhancing space utilization and boosting throughput. My tenure at Petco has been marked by significant achievements, including spearheading a transformative omnichannel initiative that enhanced customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, resulting in $4.7 million in cost savings and an $8.7 million year-over-year sales increase. I have effectively eliminated duplicates across 18 million customer records, synchronizing data across teams to create a unified customer experience. My robust data governance frameworks addressed over 47 critical data and process issues, improving overall data health by 14%, with potential to achieve a 34% improvement by the end of 2025. These accomplishments, along with my role in leading new customer registration and optimizing supply chain metrics, demonstrate my ability to align technology solutions with strategic business objectives, delivering measurable results across diverse sectors.

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My achievements and recognitions underscore my contributions to the field of customer data service:

1. Professional Ranking: I rank in the top 1% of the retail industry on LinkedIn's Social Selling Index (SSI). This ranking reflects my exceptional ability to share valuable insights and drive thought leadership.

2. Industry Recognition & Awards:

   • I received the prestigious Claro Business Award in 2024, recognizing my excellence in strategic data governance & impactful leadership.

   • I was also honored with a Global Recognition Award in 2024, affirming my groundbreaking contributions to the retail industry.

3. Publication of Scholarly Articles: I have authored four articles in reputed journals, publishing two in 2023 and two in 2024. These publications underscore my ongoing commitment to advancing the knowledge base in data strategy and customer service management.

4. Conference Contributions: My scholarly prowess is further highlighted by the acceptance of my paper at

   • Two papers at the Springer conference with a stringent 20% acceptance rate. 

   • Three papers have been accepted at various IEEE conferences, each renowned for its competitive acceptance rate of 15%-22%.

5. Academic and Editorial Leadership:

   • I was invited to join the editorial board of PRJ Publication, recognizing my expertise and standing in the academic community.

   • I have also reviewed over 19 papers/journals for different scholarly publications.

I have driven significant business performance, achieving $23 million in increased sales at Petco and $1.35 million in annual cost savings at Sobisk Foods through strategic initiatives that enhanced operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

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My achievements stand out in the context of industry norms and my previous accomplishments compared to other professionals, underlining my continuous growth and leadership in data management and customer service.

1. Awards and Recognitions: Receiving the Claro Silver Award, Indian Achievers Award, and Global Recognition Award in the same year is an exceptional achievement that underscores my industry leadership compared to other professionals. These awards are a testament to my skill and innovation and set me apart from my peers, as they recognize outstanding contributions that drive tangible business and operational improvements.

2. Scholarly Publications and Conference Participation: My publication of four articles in two years and acceptance of papers at high-caliber conferences with low acceptance rates (15%-22%) distinguish me as a leading voice in my field. This level of academic output and conference participation surpasses typical industry standards, where such frequent and high-quality contributions are rare.

3. Professional Ranking: Ranking in the Top 1% on LinkedIn’s Social Selling Index highlights Anant's exceptional ability to engage with industry peers and influence the field, a direct indicator of my leadership and impact compared to others in the retail sector.

4. Editorial and Peer Review Roles: My role on an editorial board and my active participation in peer reviews demonstrate a commitment to maintaining scholarly rigor and advancing the knowledge base of my profession, which goes beyond typical responsibilities in my industry roles.

Together, these achievements showcase my unique capabilities, contributions, and ongoing commitment to advancing my and the industry’s standards.

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The supporting materials attached provide concrete evidence of my claims made throughout this nomination, enhancing the credibility and robustness of my application:

1. Awards Documentation: The attached documents include certificates and letters for the Claro Silver, Indian Achievers’ Award, and Global Recognition Award, directly validating my excellence in data governance and strategic leadership. These awards signify my exceptional contributions compared to my peers, emphasizing my impact on operational improvements and business growth.

2. LinkedIn Social Selling Index (SSI) Proof: A screenshot from LinkedIn detailing Anant's Top 1% ranking within the retail industry worldwide, as included in the attachments, underscores my elite standing. This ranking is based on critical areas such as personal branding, networking, and insight sharing, highlighting my ability to influence and lead within the industry.

3. Published Articles and Conference Acceptances: The attachments include excerpts or references to my scholarly articles published in reputed journals and papers presented at selective conferences. These documents showcase the quality and relevance of my research, contributing to technological and operational advancements in data management.

4. Editorial and Peer Review Contributions: Evidence of my editorial board membership and my peer review activities for various scholarly publications is provided, demonstrating his commitment to upholding academic rigor and contributing to the scholarly community.

These attachments support the achievements mentioned in the nomination and illustrate my continuous commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership in the rapidly evolving field of customer data management and service.