In an age defined by digital acceleration, few individuals stand as both architects and cultural translators of transformation. Carine Botturi, Director of Data Strategy and Enablement at TELUS, is one such figure. At the intersection of data governance, human insight, and technological evolution, Botturi is not just building systems—she’s reimagining how one of Canada’s largest telecommunications companies understands and uses its most vital asset: data.

“For me, the purpose of telecommunication is still very powerful,” Botturi reflects. “We connect people, families, businesses—whatever the distance or time zone.”

It’s a deceptively simple statement for someone orchestrating some of the most complex, forward-looking data programs at TELUS. But therein lies her strength: the ability to see through the technical jargon to the human story underneath. That clarity of vision has shaped a 20-year career defined by transformation, tenacity, and a quiet but unwavering drive to make data not just accessible, but meaningful.

A Strategic Mind with a Global Lens

Born of an eclectic academic background—two master’s degrees in International Relations and Economics, an MBA in International Management, and certifications in privacy, Six Sigma, and data management—Botturi is the embodiment of multidisciplinary leadership. “All the components of my educational background are actually useful,” she says. That synthesis of political, economic, and business perspectives has enabled her to lead with nuance in an industry that evolves at breakneck speed.

She joined TELUS a decade ago, initially launching a privacy program for TELUS Health, the company’s health technology subsidiary. It was there that she pivoted from using data to managing and protecting it—an inflection point that would shape her career from that moment forward.

“In the context of data management, you have to combine different aspects: people, process, technology, and change management. And you have to understand the needs of your stakeholders,” she explains.

This systems-level thinking led her to spearhead TELUS’s Metadata Management and Data Quality programs in 2020—initiatives now considered vital pillars in the company’s evolution toward becoming a truly data-driven organization.

Data, Democratized

Botturi doesn’t just lead; she builds. “Starting from scratch the TELUS Metadata Management and Data Quality Program in 2020 and building a great team of women—that’s my proudest achievement,” she shares with visible pride. That program would go on to win the prestigious Collibra Data Excellence Award for Program of the Year in 2024, beating out industry giants and startups alike.

Under Botturi’s leadership, TELUS has created a metadata repository that now serves over 10,000 internal users—with more than 70% of them returning regularly. “Our program has enabled an 80%-time reduction for TELUS data citizens to find, understand, and trust information,” she notes. That’s not just a metric—it’s a business transformation. It translates into operational efficiencies, faster decision-making, and ultimately, a more agile organization.

What makes this impact even more compelling is the context. Data democratization is not merely a technical endeavor; it’s a cultural one. “You can’t just rely on best practices,” Botturi cautions. “You need to create your own framework, enabled by a strong change management plan. It has to resonate with your company’s mission, vision, and values.”

This emphasis on bespoke design—tailored not only to TELUS’s technical landscape but also to its corporate DNA—has been instrumental in ensuring adoption and sustainability.

A New Era of Connection

TELUS is no ordinary telecom. With ventures in healthcare and agriculture, and a sustained commitment to sustainability—recognized in 2024 by Time magazine as Canada’s most sustainable telecom company—the organization is expanding what it means to be a connectivity provider.

“The industry is in constant evolution,” Botturi observes. She recalls how, in the late 1990s, deregulation reshaped the sector, followed by the rise of IP protocols, web technologies, and now AI and 5G. “Telecommunications is always at the forefront of introducing new technology,” she says.

This pace of change has profound implications for how companies manage and govern their data. TELUS’s embrace of cloudification, for instance, has been a game-changer. “We made the very conscious decision to ensure proper metadata documentation of assets being migrated to the cloud,” Botturi notes. The company’s adoption of the Collibra Data Intelligence Platform has enabled automation and laid the foundation for more advanced AI projects.

Indeed, artificial intelligence is top of mind for Botturi. “The change we’ve seen in the last two years, especially with the introduction of GenAI, has been exponential,” she says. Her team is already piloting emerging technologies to streamline metadata processes and reduce manual work. “The real question is: how do we redefine the human-in-the-loop role?”

The Human Element

At the heart of Botturi’s leadership philosophy is a deep belief in people. “I’m recognized for my inspirational and inclusive leadership,” she shares—a fact underscored by her 2023 and 2024 nomination for the TELUS CHLOE Award in Leadership Excellence.

She sees her role not just as a manager of programs, but as a connector: between business and technology, strategy and execution, vision and implementation. “A data management leader is a bridge builder,” she asserts. “We translate business problems into opportunities, leveraging new technologies to create value.”

And she walks the talk. Beyond her work at TELUS, Botturi is a sought-after speaker in the data community, having presented at the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit, Data Governance and Information Quality and Big Data and Analytics Toronto and Montreal. She is also a champion for women in tech, building female-led teams and mentoring the next generation of data leaders.

Leading with Foresight

Looking ahead, Botturi is excited by the opportunities—and responsibilities—that come with AI and data-driven innovation. “The outcomes of data management in the age of AI are AI-ready data,” she explains. That means data must be governed from collection to deletion, secured through well-defined access policies, and continuously profiled for quality, bias, and completeness.

She envisions a future in which data management becomes even more integral to ethical AI. “We have to think about bias-free data—traceable, accurate, timely, diverse. These are not technical challenges alone; they are societal imperatives.”

That clarity of thought—bridging the technical with the ethical—is rare, and increasingly vital in an era where AI capabilities are outpacing regulatory and organizational readiness.

Staying Ahead of the Parade

Botturi’s long-term vision for TELUS is as ambitious as it is grounded: “Stay ahead of the parade and continue to lead transformation with data, insights, and AI.”

It’s a fitting metaphor. Parades move forward with momentum, but they require orchestration, direction, and shared purpose. In many ways, that’s exactly what Botturi brings to TELUS: a guiding rhythm, a clear direction, and a capacity to unify complex movements into something greater than the sum of its parts.

To those aspiring to deepen their understanding of data management, Botturi offers practical advice. She points to Dataversity’s webinars, LinkedIn thought leaders, DAMA chapters, and vendor case studies as rich resources. “You learn by doing—but also by listening to those who have done it well,” she says.

A Legacy in the Making

As digital transformation becomes less of a buzzword and more of an imperative, leaders like Carine Botturi will be the ones shaping what comes next. With a rare combination of technical fluency, strategic vision, and human empathy, she is not only leading TELUS through change—she is helping define the future of data management itself.

In a world hungry for connection—be it through signals, insights, or shared stories—Botturi’s work reminds us that the true power of data lies not in its volume, but in its ability to bring us closer to understanding.

And as TELUS continues to scale new heights, Carine Botturi is one leader ensuring that data doesn’t just inform the journey—it inspires it.