Richard Leaton
MBA, Master Black Belt, Veteran
Professional Biography
Commissioned Nuclear Power Officer
United States Navy (1994 - 1998)
Richard’s career began as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. Richard was responsible for overseeing the operation and maintenance of nuclear reactors on naval vessels. He led teams in ensuring the safe and efficient management of nuclear power systems, while also developing leadership and technical skills critical to high-stakes environments.
Chief Information Officer / General Manager
General Electric (GE) (1998 - 2016)
Following military service, he transitioned to General Electric (GE) where he spent over 18 years in progressively larger and diverse roles.
In his early career with GE, Richard served as a Quality Manager and Operations Manager, where he honed his expertise in supply chain operations. As Quality Manager, he ensured supplier compliance and reduced defects, while as Operations Manager, he streamlined production processes and improved overall supply chain efficiency
In mid-career as an Operations Executive, Executive Data Leader and Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Richard led a major ERP transformation, improving data quality and enhancing operational efficiency. He applied his supply chain IT expertise to streamline processes and integrate advanced IT solutions, driving continuous improvement across business units.
His final leadership roles focused on senior executive leadership. As a Chief Information Officer, Richard led the development and execution of next-generation learning technologies, while overseeing global IT operations, ensuring cybersecurity, and managing enterprise-wide infrastructure. He drove strategic initiatives in digital transformation, business continuity, and process optimization, resulting in increased revenue, employee engagement, and operational efficiency.
Author
THE LEATON GROUP (2016 - Present)
As an author, Richard wrote “Intentional Engagement®: Empowered Path to Culture Change“, focusing on creating work environments where employees feel empowered and engaged. His work emphasizes practical leadership strategies and intentional actions that drive organizational culture transformation, drawing from his extensive experience in executive leadership and data-driven decision-making. www.LeatonGroup.com
Abstract: “Intentional Engagement: Empowered Path to Culture Change” is about connecting with and empowering your workforce. It is an operational approach to creating a work environment where people want to stay and thrive. These environments do not exist by chance. They occur through intentional actions focused on the demographics of your workforce and tailored to its needs.
Executive, Director, Data Management & Architecture
HERTZ GLOBAL (2017 - 2020)
As Director of Data Management and Enterprise Architecture at Hertz, Richard led the company’s data strategy by implementing advanced analytics platforms and master data management systems. He focused on integrating self-service analytics, improving data governance, and driving the adoption of data-driven decision-making across the organization.
Deputy Chief Data Officer & Data Advisor
Deloitte, LLP (2020 - Present)
As the Deputy Chief Data Officer at Deloitte, Richard drives the firm’s data strategy, utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as Generative AI and cloud-based analytics platforms to optimize operations and enhance decision-making. He spearheads initiatives that improve data governance, ensure ethical use of AI, and foster a data-driven culture across the organization.
