In today’s data-driven world, organizations of all sizes rely heavily on robust data collection systems to drive informed decision-making and to gain a competitive edge. By prioritizing data integrity from the start, your organization can unlock reliable insights, support informed decision-making, and design a system for sustainable growth. Join us in this informative session showcasing how the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation benefitted from a well-thought-out data architecture for their next-generation data system that focused on ensuring data integrity, governance, and integration of data, enabling the organization to harness the full potential of the data for analytical insights.

This presentation will showcase a real-world example of the process of architecting data quality into the design, development, and implementation of a data collection system. Key points to be covered, including pitfalls and lessons learned, include:

• Identification of organizational pain points and gaps in the previous fragmented system,
• Elicitation and development of user personas and data consumption requirements,
• Design of a flexible, scalable data model that focuses on consistent, accurate, and complete data,
• Illustration of how an Enterprise Data Architect bridges the gap between business requirements and technical implementation, and
• Practical guidance on sizing the Enterprise Data Architect’s role and involvement.

Speaker: Karen Akens

Lead Data Management Consultant, Merakata

Karen is a senior business and data analyst with industry and consulting experience concentrating on data architecture, data management, and data governance for numerous commercial, non-profit, and government entities. She has spent her career developing tailored data-centric solutions that add business value. She excels at aiding organizations to become data-driven by elevating business processes to improve data collection and dissemination. She is passionate about improving data quality, developing and implementing right-sized data governance, and focuses on maturing overall data management practices.

Speaker: Becky Tippett

Chief Accountability Officer, Virginia Early Childhood Foundation

As the Chief Accountability Officer, Becky works with a diverse team to ensure that the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation’s programs deliver on their promise to support the quality, equity, and sustainability of Virginia’s early childhood care and education system. Prior to joining VECF, Becky founded and directed Carolina Demography, an applied research unit at the University of North Carolina that used population-level data and other research to provide context and perspective to people and organizations working to shape the state’s future. She earned a BA in Sociology and Political Science from The Ohio State University and an MA and PhD in Sociology from Duke University.