CLA Appoints Spencer Lourens as Chief Data Officer

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), one of the largest accounting firms in the United States, announced the appointment of Spencer Lourens as its Chief Data Officer (CDO). This newly created role underscores CLA’s commitment to harnessing data-driven strategies and advancing its $500 million investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology.

Spencer Lourens brings a robust background in data science and AI to CLA, having joined the firm in 2019 and previously serving as Managing Principal of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. With a Ph.D. in biostatistics from the University of Iowa, Lourens has directed significant health data science programs at Indiana University School of Medicine and the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health. His expertise spans the development of AI-driven solutions and comprehensive data strategies, making him well-suited to lead CLA’s $500 million investment in AI and technology.

As he reflects on his new role, Lourens expresses gratitude and determination. “I am thrilled and humbled to have the privilege to serve as CLA’s first Chief Data Officer,” he shares on LinkedIn. “I aim to be as positive of an influence in others’ lives—professionally and personally—as my mentors have been in mine.”

Cathy Clarke, Chief Culture Officer at CLA, underscored Lourens’ appointment as pivotal in CLA’s strategic growth. “Spencer Lourens’ deep expertise in data science positions CLA to pioneer new standards in client service and operational excellence,” Clarke noted. “His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to innovate and enhance our firm’s capabilities.”

Lourens, believes in demystifying AI’s capabilities while celebrating its transformative potential. “AI can do in milliseconds what might take skilled employees hours or even days,” he explains. “Its ability to learn means it can continuously improve, but it’s not infallible. Humans play a crucial role in overseeing and guiding AI to ensure accuracy.” He emphasizes that AI isn’t meant to replace people but to augment their capabilities. “You’ll still get a marked improvement in speed, but humans make the decisions,” Lourens affirms. “The AI is essentially a really smart and fast intern.”

In navigating AI’s integration into corporate workflows, Lourens advocates for upskilling employees to maximize its potential. “Employees are the key to successful AI integrations,” he notes. “Intentional upskilling empowers them to apply these tools creatively and productively.”