The 2025 DGIQ + EDW conference brought together data professionals and industry leaders for a unified event designed to address the most pressing challenges in data governance, quality and strategy.
With AI adoption accelerating and data ecosystems becoming more complex, the conference provided a timely forum for actionable ideas. First San Francisco Partners (FSFP) contributed to the dialogue through speaking sessions and active participation throughout the event.
FSFP resource summarizing the "applying data governance" educational session from DGIQ + EDW
Download FSFP’s summary of the Applying Data Governance session presented at DGIQ + EDW 2025.
The program agenda reflected the evolving priorities of today’s data-driven organizations, and three standout themes emerged at DGIQ + EDW:
-
Operationalizing AI Responsibly: Sessions like AI Governance: Controls, AI Agents, Regulations and Vendors explored how organizations can implement practical controls to manage AI risk. The session highlighted the importance of aligning governance practices with regulatory expectations, vendor oversight and the growing presence of AI agents in enterprise environments.
-
Strategic Data Architecture: The Strategic Frameworks for Data and AI session reinforced that aligning data capabilities with business priorities is now essential for staying competitive — and how architecture isn’t just a technical exercise, it’s a business strategy.
-
Human-Centered Data Culture: Culture-building took center stage as a driver of governance success. In sessions like Building Data Culture: What, Why and How, speakers emphasized that data literacy and cross-functional collaboration are just as critical as tools or frameworks.
How FSFP Approaches Practical, Scalable Data Governance
In their session, Applying Data Governance to Drive Down Costs and Improve Agility, FSFP Principal Consultant Gretchen Burnham and Senior Consultant Josh Henderson shared strategies to help organizations move from data chaos to clarity through focused, real-world governance practices.
Their session focused on:
- Connecting business and technical metadata to bring context and clarity to your data catalog
- Establishing governance standards that reduce redundancy and support consistent processes
- Improving data quality and documenting lineage in high-value areas — starting small and scaling with confidence
- Promoting agility by embedding governance practices that support, rather than slow, innovation
Couldn’t attend the session? Download our PDF summary for a concise, actionable overview of the key takeaways shared by Gretchen and Josh.
Leading Through Change: Insights from Kelle O’Neal’s Panel
At DGIQ + EDW, our CEO, Kelle O’Neal, participated in a candid panel discussion on how data professionals can adapt to both professional and personal changes in an AI-driven era. The panel explored what it means to lead through uncertainty, stay resilient and remain effective as the pace of innovation accelerates — with each speaker sharing real-world lessons from their careers.
Kelle O'Neal, second from right, joined Stephanie Valarezo (IBM), C. Lwanga Yonke (Padouk Consulting) and Wendy Turner-Williams (Culstrata-ai and TheAssociation.AI) in the Adapting to Change: Professionally and Personally panel session at DGIQ + EDW. To the right of Kelle is DATAVERSITY's CEO and Founder, Tony Shaw.
Why Events Like DGIQ + EDW Matter More Than Ever
As data governance becomes central to AI readiness and business transformation, it's clear that frameworks alone aren’t enough — relationships, shared learning and community play a crucial role. Events like DGIQ + EDW, co-produced by DATAVERSITY and DAMA International, provide a platform for you to to learn from data industry peers, validate your strategies and stay ahead of what’s next.
FSFP’s continued presence at these events reflects our belief that meaningful progress in data happens not just through tools but through ongoing connection, conversation and collaboration. Be sure to visit DATAVERSITY's and DAMA's event pages to stay connected with these industry leaders' educational curriculum and networking opportunities!
Array
