Data Governance doesn’t succeed by asking teams to conform—it thrives when it fits into how teams already work. At NAIC, we’ve built a scalable governance program by embedding DG into existing workflows, aligning with team priorities, and delivering value on their terms. This session shares a practical framework for building governance partnerships across business and technical teams, from enterprise-wide initiatives to focused business units. Attendees will learn how to assess governance maturity, introduce activities that reduce rework and increase ROI, and build momentum that makes DG part of the culture—almost unnoticed.

Key Takeaways:

• How NAIC embedded DG into real-world team workflows
• A framework for assessing governance maturity and team needs
• Strategies for gaining buy-in and showing quick wins
• Lessons from scaling DG with a small team and BIG impact
• How to build lasting partnerships between DG and business/tech stakeholders

Speaker: Catherine Mannell, Senior Data Governance Analyst, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

Catherine draws on over two decades of experience as a data professional. She offers a comprehensive perspective on the entire end-to-end data lifecycle. Her career trajectory has spanned numerous critical roles, including data analyst, data quality specialist, BI reporting expert, DBA, business analyst, and data governance lead. Educated in both data management and software engineering, she possesses a unique and valuable skill set that fosters strong, productive partnerships with diverse, cross-functional data teams across an organization. Her expertise extends across a variety of industries, including financial investment, geospatial services, marketing, banking, and insurance regulation, giving her a multi-faceted view into the workings of diverse and complex data ecosystems across the corporate landscape. At the NAIC, Catherine's approach to data governance is to cultivate a data culture that steadfastly champions the needs of the end-user. She promotes an environment of open collaboration and continuous learning while delivering outstanding, meaningful results.

Speaker: Mindy Becker, Director of Data Governance, Right Triangle Consulting

Mindy Becker is Director of Data Governance at Right Triangle Consulting, where she leads initiatives that elevate data accuracy, trust, and business impact. With more than a decade of experience across finance, life insurance, and healthcare, she has implemented robust governance programs, streamlined information integration, and enabled powerful analytics solutions.

Mindy holds the DATAVERSITY Applied Data Governance Certification (ADGC) and contributed to authoring its exam questions, underscoring her role in shaping industry standards. She has delivered high-impact presentations at DAMA and Dataversity events, inspiring audiences with actionable strategies for governance success.

Beyond her technical leadership, Mindy is deeply committed to community advocacy—raising money for the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, First Hand, and the Junior League of Kansas City. Mindy also mentors future leaders through Prep KC outreach. Her blend of precision, empathy, and strategic vision positions her as a trusted voice in the data community.