CDO Matters Podcast CDO Matters Ep. 89 | Small Team, Big Impact: Standing Up Data Governance That Works
Nov 14, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Jonathan Ong, Data Director for Mecklenburg County Public Health, shares insights from his experience building a robust data governance program with a small team. He emphasizes the importance of securing executive buy-in and fostering data literacy through innovative training. Discover how they leveraged COVID reporting to enhance data practices and utilized dashboards to showcase data quality. Ong also discusses the need for governance to reside within the business, not just IT, and strategies for preparing data for AI.
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Episode notes
Secure Leadership And Staff Buy-In
- Get senior leadership buy-in and fold governance into the strategic plan to secure sustained support.
- Train staff early so they become data stewards and champions who operationalize governance.
Inventory First, Launch Fast
- Start with a data inventory to know what you need to govern before creating a governance council.
- Launch education sessions and small governance meetings quickly rather than waiting for perfection.
Make Data Literacy The First Pillar
- Make data literacy the first governance pillar and deliver digestible training like lunch-and-learns.
- Avoid heavy technical jargon and emphasize why standards matter for program outcomes.