For years, data governance teams have been fighting an uphill battle and have been seen as bottlenecks that slow down AI initiatives. At Xcel Energy, we flipped the script by positioning governance as the foundation that enables fast, responsible innovation. This session shares our transformation story. We built an LLM-powered "Classinator" that reduced data classification time from 6 months to 2 weeks with 92% accuracy. We developed workshop approaches that align stakeholders on domain ownership in 90 minutes instead of months. We embedded governance controls directly into our Databricks platform so quality and compliance happen automatically. But this isn't just about technology, it's about having the courage to prioritize ruthlessly, speaking the language of business value, and owning outcomes with real accountability. If your governance program is stuck in planning while competitors ship AI products, you'll leave with practical strategies you can implement Monday morning.

Key Takeaways: 

• Position governance as an AI enabler that gets executive funding, not overhead
• Use LLMs to automate data classification at enterprise scale (real Xcel example)
• Align stakeholders in 90-minute workshops instead of months-long committee cycles
• Apply risk-based governance and focus resources on the 20% of data that drives 80% of value
• Embed governance controls in platforms from day one rather than bolting them on later
• Build accountability through named ownership and measure impact using business metrics that executives care about

Speaker: Jason Doerr, Enterprise Data Governance Manager, Xcel Energy

Jason Doerr is a recognized leader in data analytics and governance, currently spearheading Xcel Energy’s enterprise data governance initiatives. With a focus on transforming the organization’s data landscape into a trusted, discoverable, and actively managed environment, Jason has spent the last several years driving meaningful change. A certified CDMP practitioner, he is passionate about bridging the gap between textbook data governance and real-world implementation in complex ecosystems. Jason’s expertise in data integration, governance, and strategy is complemented by his thought leadership, including writings on practical frameworks for effective data governance and fostering data literacy across organizations.

Speaker: Eric Falthzik, Head of Data Governance, Lovelytics

Eric Falthzik is an experienced leader in data management, data governance, and data strategy and has driven client solutions for companies in utilities, healthcare, media and entertainment, and the manufacturing sector. Eric currently serves as the data and AI governance practice leader for Lovelytics and has the privilege of working for one of the top Databricks and data governance consultancies in the United States. Prior to joining Lovelytics, Eric was the principal director for data and AI with Accenture. Eric is a recognized thought leader in the data management community and is a respected writer and speaker. Eric has earned a Master of Science in Information Systems from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting Information Systems from Virginia Tech.