Daniel MacDonald
Brookfield,CT
Summary
Dynamic technology executive specializing in enterprise data, analytics, and AI platforms, with a robust background in developing and managing Marriott International's global data warehouse and analytics solutions. Proven expertise in leading large data teams of over 100 professionals while effectively overseeing a substantial budget of $30 million. Strong track record of delivering essential data products, governed analytics, and AI-ready data foundations at enterprise scale. Currently focused on advancing agentic analytics and GenAI-powered data products that provide deterministic, decision-grade insights for enterprise leaders.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director, Data Engineering, Analytics & Machine Learning Platforms
Marriott International
01.2016 - Current
- Directed Marriott's enterprise data platform, overseeing data engineering, Snowflake, BI, ML, and AI enablement initiatives. Led a team of 30 associates and 100+ consultants across 6 service providers, managing a $30M annual budget to drive operational efficiency.
- Enterprise Data & Analytics Strategy: Built and operate Marriott’s world-class global data platform powering customer, revenue, digital, and hotel operations across the enterprise. Led the transformation from fragmented legacy platforms to a modern Snowflake + AWS architecture, creating a single trusted foundation for analytics, AI, and digital products.
- Implemented AI-driven customer intelligence solutions, enabling data-driven decision-making through reliable, deterministic insights.
- Achieved successful delivery of enterprise data products in loyalty, digital reservations, business intelligence, and hotel operations. Developed the Marriott Intelligence Portal for self-service business intelligence and a governed semantic layer that facilitated faster and more confident decision-making for thousands of users.
- Managed continuous reliability of Marriott's enterprise data platform and machine learning operations to ensure seamless functionality.
Director, Business Intelligence & Enterprise Data Warehouse
Starwood Hotels & Resorts
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Led the end-to-end delivery and operations of Starwood Hotel global Business Intelligence and Enterprise Data Warehouse platforms.
- Oversaw a $5M capital portfolio and a 40-person onshore/offshore organization. Owned the strategy, roadmap, architecture, and delivery of enterprise reporting, analytics, and data management capabilities.
- Defined KPIs, data standards, data quality, and governance frameworks. Fully accountable for delivery of BI and data warehouse programs, providing architectural leadership, vendor oversight, and best-practice design.
Director, Customer Technology & Global Marketing Systems
Reader’s Digest Association
01.1998 - 01.2011
- Built and led global architecture and digital platform teams responsible for modernizing Reader’s Digest’s core customer and marketing systems.
- Led the transformation of legacy applications into a 2TB enterprise marketing data warehouse using Ab Initio, Unica, SAS, and Oracle BI.
- Delivered a platform with a 40% IRR and 3-year payback, winning Computerworld’s Best Practices in Business Intelligence (2006).
Education
Master of Science - Computer Science
Pace University
New YorkBachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
Northeastern University
Boston, MASkills
- Data integration solutions
- AI technology expertise
- Data platform management
- Business intelligence analytics
- Data management strategy
- Machine learning expertise
- Cloud services expertise
- Enterprise data management
- Data product development
- Operational management of platforms
Timeline
Senior Director, Data Engineering, Analytics & Machine Learning Platforms
Marriott International
01.2016 - Current
Director, Business Intelligence & Enterprise Data Warehouse
Starwood Hotels & Resorts
01.2011 - 01.2016
Director, Customer Technology & Global Marketing Systems
Reader’s Digest Association
01.1998 - 01.2011
Master of Science - Computer Science
Pace University
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
Northeastern University