What unfolded inside Washington's Nationals Park at the Techsgiving Summit felt less like a traditional conference and more like a conversation about the future. Following her appearance on one of the summit’s most anticipated panels, Chandra Donelson, a nationally recognized leader, connected with attendees during her book signing that quickly became a defining moment of the day.

Chandra Donelson, Chief Data & AI Officer for the United States Space Force (USSF), has been named CDO Magazine’s Global Executive of the Year 2025. The honor was presented during the Global Data Leadership Summit on October 7, recognizing Donelson as the #1 honoree of the Data Leaders 100 – The Leading Influencers in North America 2025.

Of her many accolades, Chandra Donelson can now add "children’s series author" to her impressive list of achievements. On Veterans Day, the leading voice in artificial intelligence and data literacy shared the release of her second book on social media, where the highly anticipated announcement received widespread support and engagement. The book, The Data Detective at the Airport, is published by Technics Publications and is a continuation of her debut children’s book, The Data Detective at the Carnival.

In partnership with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, the event brought together families, educators, and local veterans for a day blending history, innovation, and gratitude. Children crafted heartfelt letters to veterans, explored World War II artifacts on loan from the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, and soared into history through the museum's newest exhibit, "Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen," created in collaboration with Hosanna House, Inc.

Chandra Donelson, a recognized leader in artificial intelligence and data literacy advocacy, celebrated Veterans Day with the release of her second children's book, The Data Detective at the Airport, published by Technics Publications. This highly anticipated follow-up builds on the success of her debut, The Data Detective at the Carnival, continuing a vital mission to address the growing gap in early-age data comprehension.

The sound of laughter and the crackle of discovery filled the air at William H. Taft Elementary on Wednesday afternoon as nearly 80 students became data detectives for a day. From colorful candies to balloon-powered cars, curiosity was the main ingredient in an afternoon designed to make science come alive.

The usual buzz of a traditional classroom gave way to cheers and laughter as students at Carthage School transformed learning into an interactive masterclass in data literacy. On a bright morning at Carthage School in Cincinnati, Ohio, more than 190 first through third graders gathered for a hands-on experience that blended science, storytelling, and imagination.

What began as a conversation about data and artificial intelligence quickly evolved into something far more profound at the October 7 “Data, AI Careers & Cocktails: Fireside Chat with Chandra”, hosted by the Cincinnati Chapter of Women in Data and sponsored by Burtch Works and AlignAI. Held in downtown Cincinnati, the evening featured Chandra Donelson, fresh off her recognition as CDO Executive of the Year, and unfolded into a deeply human dialogue about purpose, resilience, and the future of leadership in a tech-driven world.

The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) is proud to collaborate with Chandra Donelson, a trailblazer at the intersection of public service, technology, and storytelling. As the Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer for the United States Space Force, Donelson brings deep technical leadership. She’s also an advocate for innovation and the author of The Data Detective at the Carnival, a children’s book that demystifies data for the next generation. In this article, we get to know her better and explore her approach to creating an exciting career in STEM, as well as inspiring young minds along the way.

What first sparked your excitement about STEM? Was there a moment when you realized this could be your career path? 

On a bright Friday afternoon, curiosity filled the halls of the Korean International School, Seoul Campus, as students from grades two through five welcomed a special guest: Chandra Donelson, author of the The Data Detective. Her visit turned an ordinary school day into a memorable celebration of discovery and imagination.

The Pacific Insurance Conference 2025, held in Seoul from September 23-25, placed artificial intelligence at the forefront of the insurance industry’s strategic dialogue. The event gathered global insurance leaders to explore how technology is reshaping underwriting, claims, and customer engagement with a clear message: AI is no longer a future concept; it’s a leadership imperative.

Technology will push the industry forward

Sharing her insights from a leader’s perspective in driving enterprise AI success, data visionary and author Chandra Donelson said, “Here’s the future I see: by 2040, technology will push the insurance industry from focusing solely on compensating for loss to playing a central role in preventing it.”