Why your data strategy needs engineering at the table
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 Collibra under the data engineering team and focusing on clear business value, Arvest is transforming how its finance and performance teams interact with data. Josh shares how his team is tackling source-to-target validation, establishing trust through small wins, and navigating change management with a pragmatic, top-down approach.From reluctant stakeholders to AI readiness, hear how one bank is building trust in its data—one rule, one report, and one relationship at a time.Three reasons you should listen to this episode:1. Start small to prove value fast. Learn how Arvest focuses on specific, high-value reporting needs to make data governance meaningful—and measurable—for business stakeholders.2. Rethink ownership to drive adoption. Explore Arvest’s shift Collibra from the governance team to data engineering, and how that decision helped accelerate quality initiatives.3. Navigate change with clarity. Get practical advice on managing resistance, setting expectations, and securing executive buy-in to make data quality stick.ResourcesConnect with ThomasConnect with JoshEnjoyed 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.
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The secret to scaling governance without slowing down
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, where they've reimagined data management around reuse, business ownership and transparency. They discuss the company’s shift toward data products, the creation of a centralized data marketplace and the cultural transformation that’s helping Siemens scale governance across business domains.From skeptical executives to AI-powered possibilities, learn how to make data governance a source of value—not friction.Three reasons you should listen to this episode:1. Build trust through transparency. Hear how Siemens uses data lineage, ownership, and quality checks to foster confidence in data—so executives can make decisions without second-guessing the numbers.2. Design data for reuse and scale. Learn to define and structure data products for business users, making data both consumable and composable across teams.3. Future-proof your data strategy. Discover how strong governance today enables data products to evolve alongside AI—ensuring your foundation is built for whatever comes next.ResourcesConnect with StijnConnect with AxelConnect with KevinEnjoyed 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.
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Solving the data dilemma in higher education
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 identify a lack of trust in data as a major roadblock to decision-making—and how Collibra has enabled him to build processes that empower others to take ownership. From transforming policy governance to reducing review time and meetings, Tom proves that well-executed governance can save more than time—it can save strategy.Three reasons you should listen to this episode:1. Achieve measurable impact with minimal resources. Learn how one person implemented governance practices that saved two person-years of effort annually—by automating and simplifying policy review at scale.2. Align data governance with institutional strategy. Tom shares how he prioritizes initiatives based on the goals of the organization, ensuring that governance supports efficiency, compliance, and smarter decision-making.3. Prepare your data for AI readiness. As higher education institutions look toward AI, Tom explains why good governance is the foundation for ethical and effective adoption—and how poor data quality can derail your AI ambitions.ResourcesConnect with ThomasConnect with TomEnjoyed 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.
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How to be a CDO in the age of AI
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 his enduring career in data leadership.Justin shares the strategic mindset that’s guided his team’s efforts across technology, people, and process, and how his background in game theory informs his value-focused approach to data. From navigating the ethical complexities of AI to measuring data’s contribution to enterprise risk reduction, Justin offers an honest, insightful look at the evolution—and future—of the CDO role.Three reasons you should listen to this episode:1. Redefine data leadership through interdisciplinary thinking. Learn how Justin Heller’s unique academic and professional background shapes his approach to data strategy—and how connecting people, process, and technology drives long-term impact.2. Bridge AI adoption and governance with practical ethics. Discover why a “human in the loop” model isn’t enough on its own, and how organizations can better prepare their workforce for responsible AI use.3. Tie data quality to business value, not bureaucracy. Hear how Synchrony balances agility with risk management, turning governance into an enabler instead of a roadblock—and why relevance of information (ROI) may matter more than return on investment.ResourcesConnect with ThomasConnect with JustinEnjoyed 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.
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See You in 2025, Data Enthusiasts!
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!
Join Collibra as we unite listeners around the importance of data and unpack its impact on the world. We sit down with customers, partners and thought leaders to discuss some of the hottest topics in the industry — from AI governance to the importance of data sharing to how to ensure data reliability and beyond. Welcome to The Data Citizens Dialogues.
Ireland