Data Citizens Dialogues

What does it really take to build confidence in enterprise data? At Arvest Bank, it started with a single use case and a commitment to simplicity. In this episode, Thomas Brence sits down with Josh Cohen live from Collibra’s Product Premiere to talk about what it means to make trust tangible—and how Arvest is laying the groundwork for deeper data quality and governance maturity. By bringing Collib...

Building trust in data isn’t just a modern challenge—it’s a decades-old problem that continues to evolve. In this episode, Chief Data Citizen Stijn Christiaens sits down with Axel Frank and Kevin Falkenstein of Siemens AG to explore how one of the world’s largest industrial manufacturers is tackling that challenge head-on. Together, Axel and Kevin lead Siemens’ internal data governance platform, w...

When resources are tight and the pressure is high, good governance isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. In this episode, Thomas Brence connects with Tom Friesen, Data Governance Lead at Algonquin College, to explore how one person can create an outsized impact by focusing on sustainability, self-service, and alignment with institutional priorities. Tom’s background in institutional research helped him i...

What does it take to lead data strategy at a Fortune 500 company for over a decade—through industry shifts, technological revolutions, and the dawn of generative AI? In this kickoff episode of Season 4, host Thomas Brence sits down with Justin Heller, Chief Data Officer at Synchrony, to explore how a foundation in political science, interactive telecommunications, and process thinking has shaped h...

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. Whe...

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...

A shared understanding of data across teams might be one of the most critical tools for driving better business outcomes. Just ask Nicola Askham, the Data Governance Coach, who's full of practical advice on creating clarity around data definitions, improving collaboration and making data sharing more reliable within organizations. Miscommunication and inconsistent data definitions can easily lead...

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...

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...

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 wel...

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...

How does a major player in the housing finance industry leverage data to drive business value and support its mission? Listen to find out as Chief Data Citizen, Stijn Christaens, chats with Freddie Mac’s VP & Chief Data Officer, Arvind Jagannathan, and Director of Data Analytics, Vikram Chopra, to uncover the sophisticated data strategies that power the mortgage leader's operations. Freddie Ma...

When a pioneer of connectivity solutions decides to revamp its data governance, the results can be transformative. Join Thomas for a chat with TE Connectivity’s Lead Data Governance Specialist, Jacqueline Paneque, and Senior Data Governance Specialist, Brett Larson. Together, they reveal the innovative data strategies that drive TE Connectivity’s success across multiple sectors. Recorded live at t...

What’s the secret sauce behind McDonald’s ability to stay ahead in the fast-food industry? John Tucker, Director of Enterprise Data Governance, unveils how McDonald’s uses data to not only enhance customer experience but also streamline crew operations with cutting-edge AI applications. From personalizing customer interactions to implementing AI-driven tools that support crew efficiency, John reve...

What's the point of creating value with your data if you never cash it in? This week, Barb Wixom, Principal Research Scientist at MIT Sloan's Center for IS Research, takes us through the critical but oft neglected journey of turning data into definitive financial gains. In peeling back the layers inherent to the value creation process, Barb insists that the leap from data to dollars must involve m...

Is data the Coast Guard’s compass to new horizons? This week, Toan Do, Area Vice President of Federal Sales at Collibra, invites Capt. Brian Erickson, Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer at the United States Coast Guard, to shed some light on the Coast Guard's transformative journey from traditional navigation to data-driven decision-making, illustrating how data is becoming the compass...

We all know that every bit of an organization’s data ought to be treated equal, right?  Well, in a world where clean data is often the status quo, Julie Fawdington, Senior Director PMO at Hewlett Packard Enterprises, invites us to ask the question, how clean is clean enough? Drawing on her extensive experience in data transformation, Julie’s take on data quality suggests the need for data qua...

It's no secret that AI has seen massive success in FinTech, but what hidden forces are driving this success, and how do they transform raw data into global opportunities? This week, guest host Stijn Christiaens invites Peep Küngas, Data Architect at Monese to decode the intricacies of data quality management and its profound impact on the tech landscape, offering fresh insights into this crucial y...

In the intricate world of financial data governance, Dennis van de Graaf, VP of Data Governance at WinTrust Financial, highlights a crucial component: the definition and empowerment of data owners. His insight reveals how assigning clear ownership of data sets within an organization is fundamental to ensuring data accuracy, security, and compliance. Dennis's approach underscores the role of data o...

At the intersection of data and education, transformative initiatives are shaping the future of higher education institutions. Alice Fleck, Enterprise Data Governance Manager at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), brings to light the critical role of data governance in academic settings. The significant impact of well-structured data governance committees, which are integral to...

The digital realm's new currency is data, yet its value is often as enigmatic as it is critical. Sanjeev Mohan, Principal of SanjMo and former Gartner analyst, decodes the complexities of data valuation, advocating for a product-oriented view that frames data's utility and impact within an organization.  The prerequisites for defining a 'data product'—from maintaining stringent quality and av...

Becoming "data driven" transcends mere technical implementations—it’s an organizational culture rooted in deliberate mindsets and collaborative strategies. Nico Huybrechts, CEO at Datashift, elucidates this concept, sharing from a wellspring of expertise on fostering a data-centric culture that's embedded in an organization's DNA. While expounding on the notion of 'data-preneur tiger teams,' which...

A seismic shift is underway at Booking.com as the travel giant embarks on an ambitious cloud migration and data transformation journey. In this episode, Milo Milovanovic, Senior Director of Big Data Technologies, offers an insider's look at how they are reshaping their data analytics and machine learning platforms to accelerate innovation.  By transitioning to the cloud and establishing robus...

If the rise of Chief Data Officers (CDOs) within the public sector is any indication, we’re currently witnessing a paradigm shift towards making data a fundamental cornerstone of government operations. What’s more, as these agencies increasingly prioritize data, legislative acts like the Foundations of Evidence-Based Policymaking Act and the Open Data Act further underline the shift.  In the...