Data Citizens Dialogues

Tom Friesen, the Data Governance Lead at Algonquin College, shares valuable insights into the essential role of data governance in higher education. He discusses the complexities of managing international student data and the need for institutional support to foster sustainability. The conversation highlights significant efficiency gains from a centralized policy governance model and the importance of high-quality data as institutions navigate financial constraints. Friesen also addresses future priorities, including the impact of artificial intelligence on data governance strategies.

Justin Heller, Chief Data Officer at Synchrony Financial and editor for CDO magazine, shares insights from his decade-long journey in data leadership. He discusses how his backgrounds in political science and game theory influence strategic thinking in data strategy. Notably, he emphasizes the ethical dimensions of AI, advocating for a 'human in the loop' approach. Heller also highlights the importance of cultivating a strong organizational culture and aligning data quality with business value, ensuring governance supports rather than stifles innovation.

The team is taking a quick break but we’ll be back in 2025 with even more insights, stories, and inspiration from data leaders around the world.In the meantime, catch up on any episodes you may have missed, and don’t forget to follow the show so you’ll be the first to know when we’re back. We’ll see you in 2025!

Empowering teams with data is essential for any organization aiming to drive better decision-making. This week, Chief Data Citizen, Stijn Christiaens connects with Ruben Missinne, Data Analytics Officer at Colruyt Group, to break down how the company built a “data marketplace” to support decentralized access, enabling employees across departments to leverage data effectively and independently.Whether fostering data craftsmanship and trust through hands-on learning opportunities like hackathons and collaborative coaching, or by decentralizing data access and prioritizing transparency, Colruyt has built a culture where data is trusted and actionable. Leaders looking to transform their own data strategy will find valuable insights in their approach to making data an integral part of daily operations.Three reasons you should listen to this episode:1. Empower teams through decentralized data access. Discover how Colruyt’s “data marketplace” model enables employees across the organization to use data independently, driving more effective, data-informed decision-making.2. Strengthen data culture with practical, hands-on learning. Ruben shares Colruyt’s approach to data literacy through hackathons and collaborative coaching, making data skills accessible to everyone.3. How transparency and trust enhance data use. Explore how Colruyt builds trust in its data through transparency and open access, ensuring that data is both reliable and integral to daily operations.ResourcesConnect with StijnConnect with RubenEnjoyed this Episode?Be sure to follow us so you never miss an update. You can leave us a review on Apple or Spotify, and share it with your friends and colleagues to help others learn more about the importance of a data-first digital transformation approach.Have questions? You can connect with us on LinkedIn. For more updates, please visit our website.

How are law firms embracing the power of data while navigating the unique challenges that set them apart from other industries? Jordan Galvin, the first data governance manager at Perkins Coie, reveals how legal organizations can transform their approach to data, tackling compliance, privacy, and risk management in a traditionally non-technical environment.From improving data quality to bridging the gap between legal expertise and data-driven decision-making, Jordan shares practical strategies that bring data governance to life. She also highlights the importance of fostering collaboration across departments to build a more data-driven culture. This conversation offers valuable insights for leaders looking to elevate their data governance practices within the legal landscape.Three reasons you should listen to this episode:1. How law firms harness the power of data. Discover how the legal industry is adapting to data governance, tackling challenges like compliance, privacy, and risk management while staying ahead in a rapidly evolving field.2. Practical strategies for bridging gaps. Actionable insights on improving collaboration between traditionally separate legal and data departments to create a more data-driven culture.3. Non-technical industries embracing data governance. Valuable lessons on how organizations with little technical background, like law firms, can implement effective data governance practices and turn data into a strategic asset.ResourcesConnect with ThomasConnect with JordanEnjoyed this Episode?Be sure to follow us so you never miss an update. You can leave us a review on Apple or Spotify, and share it with your friends and colleagues to help others learn more about the importance of a data-first digital transformation approach.Have questions? You can connect with us on LinkedIn. For more updates, please visit our website.

Nicola Askham, the Data Governance Coach, shares her expertise on cultivating a common data language within organizations. She emphasizes the importance of data glossaries and catalogs to eliminate miscommunication, ensuring teams collaborate effectively. The conversation highlights strategies for fostering data literacy, enhancing governance practices, and improving data sharing. Nicola's actionable insights promise to strengthen data culture, making data management more reliable and decision-making more informed.

Faced with the complexity of managing massive amounts of digital data, it’s no surprise that organizations are rethinking how to empower their teams. Garth Gehlbach, Head of Data Governance at Western Governors University, joins us live at DC 24 in Orlando to reveal how the university implemented a self-service data discovery platform, transforming the way users access and leverage information.By leveraging a "Google for data" approach, WGU has built a system that allows users to quickly find and confidently trust the data they need. And thanks to the power of metadata in providing critical context and making data more accessible and reliable, WGU’s self-service model not only offers a practical blueprint for overcoming fragmented data sources and inconsistent reporting; it also paves the way for a more scalable and efficient data governance model.Three reasons you should listen to this episode:1. Empowering your team with self-service data tools. Discover how implementing a self-service data discovery platform can transform your organization's efficiency, enabling users to independently find, understand, and trust data.2. Unlocking the power of metadata. Hear how WGU used metadata to provide critical context, making data more accessible and reliable, and how you can apply similar strategies to your data governance efforts.3. Overcoming data governance challenges. Gain insights into tackling common issues like fragmented data sources, inconsistent reporting, and building trust in your data through proactive governance strategies.ResourcesConnect with ThomasConnect with GarthEnjoyed this Episode?Be sure to follow us so you never miss an update. You can leave us a review on Apple or Spotify, and share it with your friends and colleagues to help others learn more about the importance of a data-first digital transformation approach.Have questions? You can connect with us on LinkedIn. For more updates, please visit our website.

Metadata isn’t just a buzzword; it's the foundation for driving business value and fostering a data-driven culture. Tanja Glisin, Data Governance Office Manager at TELUS, joins Collibra’s Keren Corely, Director of Go-to-Market Digital Programs, on location at DC 24 in Orlando, to discuss the transformative power of metadata management.Now five years strong, TELUS's metadata management program is designed to empower the organization by enabling business units to efficiently manage, govern and leverage data assets. Tanja shares insights into the program's mission to democratize data, the importance of stakeholder management and the role of continuous improvement in maintaining program success. She also emphasizes the significance of building a metadata repository to achieve critical mass and the strategic use of metadata to create valuable data products that drive innovation and efficiency across the organization.Three reasons you should listen to this episode:1. Empowering Data Democratization. Hear how transforming data (by making it accessible and usable across the organization) can break down silos and foster a data-driven culture.2. Strategic Metadata Management. Gain valuable insights into TELUS's approach to building and managing a comprehensive metadata repository, enabling efficient data governance and the creation of high-value data products.3. Continuous Improvement and Stakeholder Management. Learn about the importance of continuous improvement, stakeholder engagement, and risk management in driving the success of a metadata management program and how these practices can be applied to your own data initiatives.ResourcesConnect with KerenConnect with TanjaEnjoyed this Episode?Be sure to follow us so you never miss an update. You can leave us a review on Apple or Spotify, and share it with your friends and colleagues to help others learn more about the importance of a data-first digital transformation approach.Have questions? You can connect with us on LinkedIn. For more updates, please visit our website.

Over the past two decades, data has become critical to nearly every industry. In the realm of healthcare, it's a game-changer. Anthony Macaione, Data Governance Manager, and Craig Hunter, Solutions Analyst, reveal how MemorialCare's cutting-edge data governance practices are revolutionizing patient outcomes and streamlining operations.MemorialCare's mission focuses on improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities by leveraging trusted data. As Anthony and Craig shed light on the organization’s data governance journey, they reveal the challenges of making data accessible and useful across the board. From the integration of data governance with business processes to the measurable success seen in increased data utilization and streamlined operations, this live DC 24 session underscores the importance of transparency, role-specific data access, and continuous improvement in healthcare data management. Three reasons you should listen to this episode:1. Transforming patient care with data. Discover how MemorialCare leverages data governance to improve patient outcomes and enhance operational efficiency in a healthcare setting.2. Real-world implementation. Gain insights into the practical steps MemorialCare took to build a comprehensive report catalog, integrating data governance with business processes to make data more accessible and useful.3. Driving operational efficiency. Learn about the importance of transparency, role-specific data access, and continuous improvement in driving the success of healthcare data management programs.ResourcesConnect with ThomasConnect with AnthonyConnect with CraigEnjoyed this Episode?Be sure to follow us so you never miss an update. You can leave us a review on Apple or Spotify, and share it with your friends and colleagues to help others learn more about the importance of a data-first digital transformation approach.Have questions? You can connect with us on LinkedIn. For more updates, please visit our website.

Data isn't just the new oil; it's the engine driving transformation. Listen as Northern Trust’s Adrienne Kiessel, Head of Enterprise Data Governance and Subbaiah Maneyapanda, Senior VP of Enterprise Data Management & Analysis break down how their organization’s data strategy is revolutionizing its approach to data governance and management.Of course, achieving such significant strides in data governance isn’t easy. But by treating data as a valuable asset and continuously fostering a proactive, collaborative culture, Northern Trust has shifted away from siloed operations to embrace a truly cohesive strategy; one that includes the use of data management tools, like Collibra. Recorded live at DC 24 in Orlando, this session is a rare glimpse at how to empower practitioners within your organization to begin leveraging data for innovation and informed decision-making.Three reasons you should listen to this episode:1. Proactive Data Culture. Learn how Northern Trust is moving from reactive to proactive data management, breaking down silos and fostering a culture where data is treated as a core asset across the organization.2. Strategic Integration. Discover the strategic integration of data governance tools like Collibra, which enhances data quality and consistency, supporting regulatory compliance and business innovation.3. Empowering Practitioners. Understand the comprehensive approach to empowering thousands of data practitioners through education, support, and a centralized governance model, driving meaningful and actionable insights.ResourcesConnect with ThomasConnect with AdrienneConnect with SubbaiahEnjoyed this Episode?Be sure to follow us so you never miss an update. You can leave us a review on Apple or Spotify, and share it with your friends and colleagues to help others learn more about the importance of a data-first digital transformation approach.Have questions? You can connect with us on LinkedIn. For more updates, please visit our website.