Wes Chaar

About Wes Chaar

Most organizations don’t struggle with a lack of data. They struggle with knowing what to trust, what matters, and how to decide when the stakes are real.I’m a data and analytics executive, author, and aerospace engineer focused on decision-making under uncertainty — helping leaders use data, AI, and judgment to drive real outcomes.Early in my career, I worked as an aerospace engineer and research scientist, contributing to U.S. space exploration and Mars missions. I was the first to introduce adaptive navigation systems combining AI, machine learning, and genetic search algorithms for deep-space missions. That foundation continues to shape how I think about resilience, uncertainty, and systems design.Across airlines, hospitality, online travel, media, CPG, retail, and private equity, I’ve led enterprise analytics and AI initiatives applying data strategy and modeling to pricing, revenue, distribution, and customer decision-making.My work has been published in leading journals Transactions, M & SOM, AAS, Interfaces) and recognized with honors, including an Emmy for Engineering & Technology, the INFORMS Innovative Applications of Analytics Award, multiple ANA Genius Awards, the ARF Great Mind Award in Analytics Leadership, and Corinium’s Top 100 Innovators in Data & Analytics for the Americas. I’m also a Senior Member of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics.Today, I write and speak about how data, judgment, and systems thinking shape better decisions — in business and beyond.If you’re interested in how data, AI, and systems thinking can support, rather than replace, sound decision-making, check out my website: https://weschaar.com/

Experience

1. Head of Enterprise Data and Analytics

   Cengage

   Apr 2025 — Present · US

   Leading the transformation of data into enterprise intelligence at Cengage. I lead the Enterprise Data & Analytics team to unify insights, modernize analytics architecture, and drive business impact across product, marketing, and operations. Our work fuses behavioral modeling, GenAI, ML, and decision science to shape the future of learning in an AI-disrupted world.From modernizing our analytics architecture to reshaping our approach to behavioral insights and learner journey modeling, our roadmap is focused on three core tenets:* Data Unification and Intelligence: Building the foundation to harmonize and leverage data across silos for a complete, trustworthy, and actionable view of our learners and customers * Advanced Analytics and Data Science: Leveraging ML, GenAI, NLP, and consumer choice modeling to uncover strategic insights that inform product development, optimize marketing performance, and improve learner outcomes * Enterprise Enablement: Driving a culture of data fluency across the organization - empowering cross-functional teams with tools, training, and repeatable frameworks to operate with insight at the core

Education

• University of West Florida

  M.S., Computer Science

• The University of Texas at Austin

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering

• American University of Beirut

  Bachelor of Engineering - BE, Computer and Communications Engineering