Speaking
Franck Leveneur — Data & AI Keynote Speaker
Founder & CEO, Data-Sleek · 30 years building production data systems
Franck Leveneur, Founder & CEO of Data-Sleek, speaks to executive audiences on the discipline of building data foundations that can actually support AI in production. His talks draw on over 30 years as a working data architect and current engagements with mid-market organizations across healthcare, insurance, construction, higher education, and high-growth SaaS.
Core Speaking Topics
Franck speaks on themes drawn directly from current client work — not from frameworks or thought-leadership decks. Recurring topics include:
Building AI-Ready Data Foundations
why most enterprise AI initiatives stall in proof-of-concept, and what the data and architecture layer underneath has to look like for production AI to actually ship. This talk draws on the framework behind Data-Sleek’s AI readiness assessment, used across 39 indicators with mid-market clients.
Mid-Market Data Strategy
what changes when the playbook designed for Fortune 500 budgets meets the lean teams and tighter timelines of mid-market organizations.
Modern Data Architecture in 2026
the trade-offs between Snowflake, Databricks, ClickHouse, and emerging hybrid architectures, with field examples from current client engagements.
From Reports to Decisions
how to move an organization beyond dashboard delivery into measurable business outcomes.
The Practitioner's View on AI Hype
separating genuine production-grade capability from vendor demos and pilot theater. Franck’s talks unpack why 88% of AI projects never reach production – and what the other 12% do differently.
Talks can be tailored to your audience — from engineering and data teams to C-level executive briefings.
Past Talks & Appearances
Past Talks & Appearances
2026-06
WEBINAR
AI for Business Professionals
Zoom session — Shared screen with speaker view
2026-03
PODCAST
HIPAA Insider — AI-Ready Healthcare Infrastructure Starts With Governed Data
Adam Z. (HIPAA Vault) · Spotify / HIPAA Vault — healthcare data governance, lineage, AI-readiness, HIPAA
2026-02
PODCAST
Fully Managed — AI, Data, and the Future of Work: Franck on Strategy, Governance & What People Get Wrong
Fully Managed (Penji) · Spotify · 33 min — AI & data strategy, governance, future of work, common misconceptions
2024–05
PODCAST
DM Radio — Really Real-Time Data: The Role of Real-Time Data in Boosting Business Insights
Eric Kavanagh (DM Radio) · with John Kreisa (Couchbase CMO) · Data-Sleek blog — 4-part series on real-time data, HTAP, AI in enterprise
2024–04
PODCAST
Data Management Podcast — Database Architecture Expert POV
SingleStore · YouTube — database architecture discussion
2023-02
WEBINAR
Translytical Platforms: Use Cases & Trends, Featuring Forrester & Data-Sleek
SingleStore · with Noel Yuhanna (Forrester analyst) — recap on SingleStore blog: real-time data & translytical platforms
2020–08
PODCAST
Community Conversations — Franck Leveneur
Domenic Ravita (SingleStore) · YouTube — community interview
2019-03
CONFERENCE
Break through the limits of your current database (sponsored by MemSQL)
O’Reilly Strata Data Conference, San Francisco — spoke as Wag! data lead
2018-03
CONFERENCE
SCaLE — Southern California Linux Expo (speaker)
SoCal Linux Expo (SCaLE 16x) — listed conference speaker
Recognition
Outstanding Contribution AwardUCLA Anderson
Master of Science in Business Analytics
Recognized for his contribution to teaching the next generation of data and analytics leaders, where he previously served as faculty in the MSBA program.
Speaker Formats
Speaking Formats
For organizers planning your program, Franck can show up in any of these formats
Keynotes
30 to 60 minutes, executive or technical audiences
Panels
moderated or contributor, on data strategy, AI enablement, modern architecture
Executive briefings
private sessions for CDO / CIO / CTO leadership teams, 60 to 90 minutes
Podcasts and webinars
remote, scheduled to your editorial calendar
Workshops and corporate training
half-day or full-day, customized to your team
Sessions can be delivered in person across the US (Franck is based in Southern California; Data-Sleek’s team spans San Francisco, Los Angeles, Irvine, Dallas, Chicago, and New York) or remotely worldwide.
Certifications
Executive credentials & academic recognition
Formal education and recognition from leading institutions — applied directly to client engagements and speaking content.
Kellogg Executive Education
Northwestern University
AI Strategies for Business Transformation
2026
Executive Education Certificate
Executive program applying AI strategy and data strategy frameworks to lead organization-wide transformation.
Emeritus
Executive Education
Business Analytics and AI: From Data to Decisions
2026
Executive Education Certificate
Advanced program bridging business analytics, machine learning applications, and AI strategy — focused on translating data capability into measurable executive decision-making outcomes.
Emeritus
Executive Education
Data Strategy: Leveraging Data as a Competitive Advantage
2025
Executive Education Certificate
A comprehensive program covering data strategy formulation, data governance, data-driven culture, and operationalizing analytics to generate competitive advantage across the enterprise.
Additional certifications available on Franck’s LinkedIn profile →
Speaker Bio
Speaker Bio & Media Kit
For event organizers who need a clean bio for their program, website, or promotional materials:
Franck Leveneur is the Founder and CEO of Data-Sleek, a US-based AI and data consultancy serving mid-market organizations. With over 30 years as a working data architect, Franck has built production data and AI systems for organizations including Johns Hopkins, Jabra Enhance, Tradesman Insurance, and CarePredict. He holds executive education credentials from UC Berkeley in Data Strategy: Leveraging Data as a Competitive Advantage and Business Analytics and AI: From Data to Decisions, previously served as faculty in UCLA Anderson’s Master of Science in Business Analytics program, and is the recipient of UCLA Anderson’s Outstanding Contribution Award. He has spoken at O’Reilly Strata Data Conference and SCaLE.
Franck Leveneur
CEO of Data-Sleek
Book Franck
Invite Franck to speak at your conference, podcast, or executive briefing
Please include event date, audience type, location, format (keynote / panel / podcast / briefing), and any preferred topic from the list above.