Ward is the Executive Vice President and Chief Data Officer at Yext, focused on the expanding applications of knowledge graphs and data asset optimization. His focus is to help Yext clients identify, value, and structure their knowledge to maximize their data value in AI and search applications. Ward is the co-author of the Amazon top release Data Leverage: Unlocking the Surprising Growth Potential of Data Partnerships and has developed and executed hundreds of data partnerships worldwide, from small entrepreneurial firms to the world’s largest data companies.

Ward has served as Chief Data Officer of Arizent, Chief Data Officer of Data Axle, and Global Head of Content Innovation at Thomson Reuters, among other roles. In 1999, he founded Jaywalk Incorporated with Sean R. McMahon, PhD, which was acquired by the Bank of New York, in addition to two additional data startups in finance and media. He has been quoted in publications like the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, and Search Engine Journal. He speaks frequently on data strategy, partnerships, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence.