Former State Chief Data Officer.
Now Helping Mission-Driven Organizations Navigate AI & Data Transformation.
I built Indiana's data strategy from scratch, led a 50-person agency through COVID-19, and navigated every challenge you're facing. Now I help organizations with social impact missions do it faster, smarter, and without the painful mistakes I made.
Who I Work With:
🏛️ State & Local Government - CDOs, CIOs, agency leaders
🎓 Higher Education - Universities, coordinating boards, system offices
🤝 Non-Profits & Foundations - Social impact organizations, data collaboratives
📊 Data-Focused Organizations - Research institutes, policy centers
🏢 Companies Serving the Public Good - GovTech, EdTech, civic tech
🏆 Global Top 100 Innovator in Data & Analytics 2024 | 🎖️ Governor's Distinguished Service Medal | 📜 Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)
You Don't Need More Buzzwords. You Need Someone Who's Actually Done It.
Most data and AI consultants have never:
❌ Built a data governance council from scratch
❌ Managed $10M+ in data infrastructure budgets
❌ Led crisis-level data operations (like COVID-19 response)
❌ Navigated state procurement, politics, and bureaucracy
❌ Been accountable to governors, legislators, and the public
I've done all of it.
For 13 years in Indiana state government, including 5 years as Chief Data Officer and Executive Director of the Management Performance Hub, I led the data transformation that became a national model.
Now I'm sharing those hard-won lessons with leaders like you.
Services
CDO Advisory Retainer
For newly appointed Chief Data Officers who need a seasoned guide
What You Get:
• 4 hours/month of strategic counsel via calls
• Email/text access for urgent questions
• Review of key decisions, strategies, and presentations
• Connections to State CDO Network
• War stories from someone who's been in your seat
Investment: $4,500/month (3-month minimum)
Results: Avoid costly mistakes, build political capital faster, accelerate your first 90 days
Executive AI Readiness Workshop
For leadership teams that need to get smart on AI - fast
What You Get:
• Full-day intensive workshop (in-person or virtual)
• Customized to your organization's specific context
• Practical frameworks, not theory
• Interactive exercises using your actual use cases
• AI governance starter kit
Agenda:
• Morning: AI fundamentals for executives
• Midday: Hands-on exploration of AI tools
• Afternoon: Building your AI strategy and governance framework
Investment: $7,500 (up to 25 participants)
Results: Leadership alignment, clear AI strategy, governance framework ready to implement
Data Governance Rapid Assessment
For organizations that know they need better data governance but don't know where to start
What You Get:
• 2-week intensive assessment of current state
• Stakeholder interviews (5-7 key leaders)
• Gap analysis against industry best practices
• 90-day implementation roadmap
• Template governance framework tailored to your organization
Deliverable: Actionable assessment report + 2-hour readout with leadership
Investment: $12,500
Results: Clear, actionable roadmap instead of analysis paralysis
Proven Track Record
Indiana CDO Tenure Highlights:
📈 Grew agency from 26 to 50+ staff in 5 years
💰 Managed $10M+ annual operating budget
🎓 Trained 4,000+ state employees in data literacy
🏛️ Built Indiana's first statewide data governance council
🦠 Led state's data response during COVID-19 pandemic
📜 Contributed to federal OMB 2024 Uniform Guidance revisions
Industry Recognition:
🏆 Global Top 100 Innovators in Data & Analytics 2024
🏆 40 Under Forty Data Leaders 2022
🎖️ Governor's Distinguished Service Medal
🎖️ Indiana FSSA Secretary's Health Impact Award
Leadership Roles:
• State CDO Network Steering Committee
• White House US Tech Policy Network (Founding Member)
• Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy - National Advisory Committee
• NASCIO Member
• Future of Data Council
Recent Speaking Engagements:
🎤 ADRCon 2025 - Opening Keynote
🎤 CDAO Government 2025 - Day 2 Chairman & Keynote
🎤 SHEEO Communities of Practice - Opening Keynote
🎤 CSG Midwest AI Workshop - Expert Panel
Why I Do This Work
In 2012, I started as a program director in Indiana's Office of Management and Budget, conducting operational audits. I saw the same problem everywhere: smart leaders making decisions with terrible data.
By 2019, Governor Holcomb appointed me Indiana's Chief Data Officer. I was 32 years old, leading 50+ people, managing a $10M+ budget, and responsible for the state's entire data strategy.
Then COVID-19 hit.
Suddenly, data wasn't abstract strategy - it was life and death. We were tracking infections, managing vaccine distribution, and informing policy decisions that affected millions of Hoosiers.
Over those 5 years as CDO, I:
• Built Indiana's first statewide data governance framework
• Created a data literacy program that reached 4,000+ state employees
• Led the COVID-19 data response
• Made every mistake you can make (and learned from all of them)
In January 2025, I stepped away to help other data leaders navigate these challenges - because I know what it's like to sit in your seat, face your pressures, and be accountable to stakeholders.
Beyond Government: Cross-Sector Impact
My government work included extensive partnerships with universities, non-profits, foundations, and private companies. I've learned that the best data strategies don't respect organizational boundaries - they focus on outcomes.
Whether you're serving citizens, students, communities, or customers with a social mission, the principles of good data governance, ethical AI, and stakeholder-centered strategy apply.
I'm not a traditional consultant. I'm a former practitioner who knows what actually works - and what doesn't.
If your organization has a mission that matters, let's talk.
— Josh Martin
Ready to Move Forward?
📞 Free 30-Minute Strategy Call No sales pitch. Just a conversation about your specific challenges and whether I can help.