As data governance evolves, so do the challenges and opportunities it presents. This session brings together thought leaders to explore the trends that will shape the field in 2026 – from regulatory shifts and AI integration to decentralized governance models. Learn what’s coming, what’s changing, and how to prepare your organization for the future.

About the Speakers

Jimm Johnson
VP, Professional Development, DGPO

Jimm Johnson is a data leader and evangelist with more than 25 years of experience with DG, data management, EDW/BI, analytics, and IT across the banking, health care, health insurance, pharmaceutical, and restaurant industries. Most recently he served as Senior Manager of Data Governance at HireRight (the leading global background screening solution provider), where he helped mature their enterprise data governance and data literacy efforts. Prior to that, he was at Scripps Health (one of the largest integrated health systems in San Diego), launching their data governance program in tandem with the company’s electronic health record (EHR) and revenue cycle platform implementation and to support their enterprise analytics strategy and elevate data literacy capabilities.

Noah Yao
Principal, SC&H

Noah Yao is a Principal in SC&H’s Data Strategy & Governance practice, bringing more than a decade of experience leading digital and data initiatives for Fortune 500 companies and leading healthcare organizations. He partners with clients to design and implement enterprise data strategies and governance frameworks that accelerate data-driven transformation across their organizations.

At SC&H, Noah co-leads the firm’s Data Strategy & Governance service, supporting clients with end-to-end strategy, operations, and enablement. His work spans data strategy visioning, data governance frameworks, and data management capabilities, including lifecycle management, quality, and architecture. Noah’s approach emphasizes technology enablement—leveraging automation, AI, and strategic partnerships with top data platform providers to help organizations operationalize their data initiatives effectively.

Frances Stoor
Data & AI Governance Manager, Jackson

Frances Stoor is a data governance and technology leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning software development, enterprise architecture, and modern data management. She specializes in building practical, scalable governance frameworks that strengthen organizational trust in data and enable confident, insight‑driven decision‑making.

Frances is a certified Applied Data Governance Practitioner (ADGP) and Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP), recognized for her ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies for executives, data stewards, and engineering teams. Her work empowers business units across HR, finance, legal, operations, and delivery to steward their data with clarity, accountability, and measurable impact.

A trusted advisor and collaborative leader, Frances brings a balanced perspective that blends innovation, risk management, and operational resilience—helping organizations navigate the evolving landscape of data and AI governance with confidence.

Lwanga Yonke
Founder and President, Padouk Consulting, LLC

Lwanga Yonke is the Founder and President of Padouk Consulting, LLC. In that capacity, he helps organizations boost their business results by improving the quality of their most important data. During a distinguished career as an information leader, Lwanga has successfully designed and implemented projects in multiple areas, including information quality, data governance, business intelligence, data warehousing, data architecture, and building a data culture. His initial experience is in petroleum engineering and operations.

An established information quality expert, Lwanga holds an MBA from California State University, Bakersfield, and a BS degree in petroleum engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. A strong believer in process improvement, he also held the ASQ Certified Quality Engineer credential. Lwanga is actively engaged in various volunteer projects and community service activities.