Making Dollars Make Sense - Quantifying the Value of Data Governance to Senior Leadership

“Data Governance” has evolved beyond being both a buzzword and a curse word in recent years. Organizations have recognized a need for a more formal approach to improving the understanding and use of their data than what they have utilized in the past, leading to the creation and staffing of DGOs and the launch of data governance initiatives and programs. However, these endeavors are frequently viewed as bureaucratic and costing more than the benefits they provide by leaders who are not actively engaged with the data, leading to their dissolution before benefits can be realized.

Participants in this session will learn how to:

• Determine what financial metrics are important to leadership
• Calculate real-life example metrics
• Effectively communicate the financial value of their DG activities

Speaker: Heidi Lawson

Heidi is currently a Director for Data Enablement at Fidelity Investments, a multinational financial services company. In this role, she is responsible for creating and promoting a culture that continuously improves the understanding, quality, security, and value of Fidelity’s Workplace Investing data while working across business units to influence enterprise-wide alignment.

With nearly 20 years of experience in Business Intelligence, Data Management, Analytics, and Project Management, Heidi has a proven track record of establishing frameworks, standards, processes, and best practices for ensuring the proper valuation, ethical exploitation, and protection of data and analytic assets. Her industry experience spans pharma, healthcare, health insurance, consulting, and financial services.

Heidi earned her Master of Science degree in Information Technology Management from North Carolina State University, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a concentration in Accountancy from California State University, Fresno. She is also a certified Project Management Professional.