CData Software, a leader in enterprise data connectivity solutions, has announced the appointment of Ken Yagen as its new Chief Product Officer (CPO). In this role, Yagen will oversee product strategy and engineering efforts as the company expands its connectivity platform tailored for AI systems and autonomous agents. This move comes amid rapid growth in the AI connectivity market, with thousands of users already leveraging CData’s MCP Servers to connect enterprise data sources to AI applications.

Driving AI-Native Connectivity and Platform Evolution

Yagen’s leadership will focus on advancing CData’s AI-native connectivity capabilities, notably through the recently launched Connect AI platform. Connect AI offers enterprise-scale infrastructure that provides live, governed access to business systems, combined with embedded semantic intelligence. This enables AI systems and autonomous agents to understand the structure, relationships, and business logic inherent to each platform—transforming raw data connectivity into operational fluency.

“AI will fall short of delivering meaningful results if agents lack a deep understanding of the systems they operate in,” said Ken Yagen. “CData is removing key barriers by equipping agents with connectivity and system-level context, ensuring safe, predictable, and scalable AI operations across platforms like Salesforce, NetSuite, SAP, and over 350 other business systems.”

Bringing Extensive Experience to CData’s Growth Strategy

Yagen brings over 25 years of experience in enterprise software, with a focus on product management and technological innovation. Previously at Warburg Pincus, he led AI and large language model initiatives across multiple portfolio companies, helping enterprises incorporate emerging AI technologies into their business strategies. His career also includes significant roles at MuleSoft, where he shaped API and integration platform strategies foundational to modern enterprise architecture, as well as leadership positions at Box and Symphony, driving SaaS collaboration solutions.

Under Yagen’s guidance, CData aims to accelerate its dual market approach—targeting both direct enterprise clients and independent software vendors (ISVs). The company’s managed MCP platform is increasingly adopted across departments for standardized connectivity, while ISVs embed CData’s solutions into their software offerings, broadening the reach of AI connectivity capabilities.

With Yagen’s strategic direction, CData is poised to further establish itself as a critical enabler of AI-native enterprise connectivity, empowering organizations and developers to build more intelligent, connected systems.

Inspired by

• https://ai-techpark.com/cdata-appoints-ken-yagen-as-cpo-to-lead-ai-connectivity-strategy/