How Swire Coca-Cola Turned Governance Into an AI Growth Engine

For most data leaders, governance feels like the thing standing between them and progress. Bharathi Rajan, Vice President of Digital, AI, and Data at Swire Coca-Cola, joins Cindi Howson to share how she built the data foundation powering a $3 billion supply chain operation. She breaks down how to turn data quality into a business accelerator, get ahead of demand signals, and build the foundation every AI initiative actually depends on.

Key Moments:

06:39
Building a Data Foundation Across a $3B Supply Chain
The starting point wasn't strategy. It was figuring out where the data was, who had it, and how to get it into the hands of actual decision-makers.
10:22
Reframing Data Governance
Governance is the foundation that makes better decisions possible. Bharathi shares how education and relationship-building drove the mindset shift at Swire Coca-Cola.
11:50
AI as an Enablement Factor
Bharathi reframes AI as a tool for operational efficiency and more impactful work, not a headcount threat.
14:41
Building the Plant of the Future
A new $475 million Colorado facility gives Swire Coca-Cola a rare chance to design data and AI infrastructure from scratch.
17:58
The Skills That Will Matter Most in an AI World
Bharathi breaks down what she tells young people and aspiring data leaders about building a career that AI can't replace.

Key Quotes: 

Mentions: 

• Swire Coca-Cola to Build $475 Million Bottling Plant in Colorado Springs, CO
• DataIQ100: The most influential people in data and AI
• 2025 AI Women Power List Honorees
• The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

Guest Bios: 

Bharathi Rajan is a results-driven and experienced Chief Data Officer and AI strategist. In her current role as Vice President Digital, AI & Data at Swire Coca-Cola, USA, Bharathi has saved multi-millions by adopting new tech stack and bringing in capabilities critical for Enterprise growth and performance. While consistently leading innovation and enabling AI & data literacy, Bharathi consecutively drives data and systems architecture confluence across the enterprise.

Prior to joining Swire Coca-Cola, USA, Bharathi operated as a Senior Director of Operations in Data and Infrastructre for three years, focusing on Enterprise Reporting and Analysis (ERA), where she was specifically hired for her distinctive capabilities in data strategy, cloud migration, and creative efficiencies.

Bharathi is currently ranked #3 DataIQ100 North America for 2026. She has attended several panel discussions, in Emory University, Women in Tech, AI & Manufacturing and DataIQ. In 2026, Bharathi delivered a keynote on Data Leader as the Transformation Architect at the DataIQ summit. Additionally, Bharathi has spoken at various summits like Microsoft Ignite, Databricks, AI&Data summit and Snowflake summit over the years. Bharathi is also a mentor with WLDA Ventures and Women Tech Council.