Digital innovation impacts every industry, and in response, many organizations have introduced a new C-suite leadership role—the chief digital officer (CDO). Based on interviews with 35 CDOs from various sectors, we have identified the domains where successful CDOs build digital capabilities (digital innovation, data analytics and customer engagement) and three types of CDOs—digital accelerators, digital marketers and digital harmonizers. Each type focuses specifically on one of the digital capabilities. The article concludes by considering the relationship between CDOs and CIOs.