Most people think of DEIA initiatives in terms of workplace diversity – but what does DEIA mean for metadata? As our digital and real lives become increasingly intertwined, businesses and users increasingly expect digital expression of their authentic selves and values. As language, user needs, and societal norms evolve, metadata governance and quality must adapt to stay relevant and provide an equitable experience for all.

A DEIA metadata governance program can navigate the competing demands of representation and privacy, ensure accurate and authentic representation, and maintain the consistent, high-quality metadata needed for inclusive digital experiences. A well-maintained governance program ensures compliance with legal and ethical privacy requirements Where DEIA metadata overlaps with PII (personally identifiable information).

This session will outline the compelling reasons to start a DEIA metadata program now, provide a roadmap to get started, and identify risks and pitfalls to avoid in the creation of a program and governance.

Content will include:

• Overview of the fundamentals of DEIA metadata
• Real-world DEIA use cases
• Best practices in developing and governing a DEIA metadata taxonomy
• Legal issues and other pitfalls to consider regarding DEIA metadata
• Effective strategies to advocate for the adoption of a DEIA metadata program and governance

Speaker: Erica Hornung

Erica Hornung is a Taxonomist and Digital Strategist in the Insights & Analytics team at Salt Flats. As a records and digital asset management professional, Erica has worked in media asset management settings for five years, with in-depth experience assessing the metadata needs of both digital and physical archives in multiple roles. Erica spent 18 years as a digital artist in feature film visual effects production and network television promotion, gaining valuable experience and insights into studio production workflows and asset management strategies. Erica uses her real world production experience to build strategies for data management in media and entertainment environments. Her contributions include collaborating across functional teams to design and implement metadata strategies leveraging a growing library of digital assets. Additionally, Erica has served as a bridge between technical and non-technical teams to test tools, train members, and troubleshoot in-house software tools in post-production and other technical settings.