Data Mastery for Modern Finance: John Hagerty on Governance, AI, and Analytics

Real-time reporting promises faster decisions, but without trusted and governed data, speed can become a liability. 

John Hagerty, Distinguished Analyst at Dresner Advisory Services, joins Melissa Howatson to unpack what it really takes to achieve data mastery in modern finance organizations. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience across enterprise performance management, business intelligence and analytics, John explains why data governance is no longer an IT problem, it’s a business imperative. 

In this conversation John shares why finance can’t operate in data silos, how CFOs and CIOs must evolve into true partners, and why analytics only deliver value when built on consistent definitions, shared responsibility and clean data foundations. 

From centers of excellence and data stewardship to AI adoption and real-time decision-making, this episode offers a practical roadmap for finance leaders looking to turn data into a strategic advantage. 

Discussed in this episode: 

• Why real-time analytics fail without trusted data 

• Data governance as a shared enterprise responsibility 

• The evolving CFO–CIO partnership 

• Centers of excellence vs. data stewardship (and why you need both)

For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.