Steve Wanamaker

Founder and Publisher

CDO Magazine

In 1998, Steve and Kim Wanamaker took out a $20,000 loan on their home and started a small print magazine out of their spare bedroom. Out of those humble beginnings, the Wanamakers have successfully launched several publications during their publishing career, and two of their media companies have been acquired. The first publication the couple founded was Inspire Magazine. When he was 34 years old in 2004, Wanamaker sold the company to Gannett, a Fortune 500 global media organization whose properties include USA Today. In the same year, he was recognized as a 40 Under 40 Award recipient. The second publication acquired in 2023 by the private equity firm Growth Catalyst Partners is CDO Magazine. CDO Magazine evolved from its roots with the MIT Chief Data Officer Information Quality (CDOIQ) community to become the global leader in data management and analytics. Today, this online magazine has a global readership of 400,000 in more than 200 countries, and was recognized as one of America's fastest-growing private companies. CDO Magazine also hosts regional executive communities throughout North America and produces global conferences with attendees from over 60 nations. Wanamaker continues to lead CDO Magazine as Founder and Publisher, and is an equity partner in the new enterprise. Wanamaker personally financed both publications, owned 100% of the companies’ shares, and the companies had zero debt at the time of the acquisitions. Wanamaker has an extensive residential real estate portfolio. In 2008, during the most challenging moments of the Great Recession when residential real estate was at an all time low, he went all in and created his real estate holding company. The company has experienced great success with a portfolio of apartments and homes whose primary tenants are U.S. military veterans. Wanamaker’s current board involvements include the UC Health Foundation and the FC Cincinnati Foundation (Major League Soccer). He also volunteers with the Princeton University Business Today Executive Speakers Program. He previously served as the co-director of the MIT CDOIQ Symposium. Wanamaker is a recipient of the West Chester-Liberty Chamber Alliance Businessperson of the Year Award, which is the organization’s most prestigious award given to recognize leadership and community impact. Wanamaker is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati. Upon graduation, he received his commission as an officer in the U.S. Army.