WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the appointment of Kshemendra Paul, executive director for Data Governance and Analytics and the department’s Chief Data Officer.
VA designated a Chief Data Officer under Public Law 115-435, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, which was signed by President Trump on January 14. The Act requires federal agencies to develop statistical evidence to support policymaking, maintain a comprehensive data inventory available to the public and implement protections to ensure security of confidential information
“President Trump is delivering on his promises to improve care for our Veterans and make government work better for the American people,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “We will continue to build on this progress by leveraging data as an asset to better deliver the care and services Veterans expect and deserve.”
The President’s Management Agenda calls for the development of a federal data strategy to improve government operations and evidence-based policymaking. VA’s Chief Data Officer will support this effort through improved data governance, transparency and innovation.
Paul brings extensive experience in enterprise data management including data architecture, data sharing, safeguarding and digital transformation to VA. His appointment will strengthen VA’s established Data Governance Council during this unprecedented period of transformation for the agency.
VA maintains comprehensive data on America’s Veterans through the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics including Veteran population projections and statistics on their utilization of VA benefits and health care services.
###
Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
Subscribe today to receive these news releases in your inbox.
More from the Press Room
News Releases
Three-quarters of the way through the fiscal year – VA has granted benefits to 1.1 million Veterans and their survivors, an all-time record.
News Releases
Eligible organizations providing employment-based resources and tools to help recently separated members of the Armed Forces and their spouses may now apply for grants from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
News Releases
Veterans can now create their new Login.gov or ID.me accounts as VA transitions to a streamlined process for accessing VA online services.