Season 8 of Catalog & Cocktails brought another round of honest, no-BS conversations about data, featuring thought leaders who are reshaping the way we think about data strategy, technology, and culture. With topics ranging from data product management to AI, this season offered actionable insights for data practitioners and business leaders alike. Here's a recap of some of the season's most insightful moments!
On data management and governance
Implementing effective data governance isn’t just a best practice—it’s a requirement for AI readiness. Nicola Askham, known as The Data Governance Coach, shared practical advice on how organizations can get started and stay consistent with their governance initiatives.
The future of data catalogs is shifting. Malcolm Hawker, Chief Data Officer at Profisee and host of CDO Matters Podcast, pushed for a reimagination of catalogs into knowledge management systems and highlighted the role of LLMs in shaping this transformation.
Sometimes, the answers lie outside tech. Drawing from library science principles, Amalia Child, Data Manager and Librarian, introduced The Five Laws of Data Enablement, offering a fresh approach to how data teams can maximize their value.
On diversity, inclusion, & human-centric data strategies
When building data strategies, we often overlook the human element. That’s why Tiankai Feng, Data Strategy & Governance Lead at Thoughtworks Europe, advocates for his 5 C’s framework: Competency, Collaboration, Creativity, Communication, and Conscience. This people-first approach ensures strategy meets culture.
For Dawn Carter, diversity and inclusion aren’t optional—they’re imperative for success in tech and data spaces. She shared practical methods for embedding these principles into change management processes, driving meaningful progress.
On AI, responsible technology, & innovation
AI governance is on the brink of transformation, especially with emerging regulations like the EU AI Act. Mariam Halfhide, Responsible AI Expert at Xebia, unpacked why ethical frameworks are critical to shaping AI’s future responsibly.
Taking a step further into experimentation, Ethan Mollick of the Wharton School made a case for embracing disciplined R&D and imagination when adopting AI. Organizations must experiment boldly yet thoughtfully to succeed.
Interoperability is key to unlocking AI’s potential. Dael Williamson, EMEA CTO at Databricks, provided a clear roadmap for businesses aiming to align data strategies with innovation in a rapidly shifting ecosystem.
On metadata, knowledge, and context
Organizations often overlook the power of active metadata—a mistake that Mike Evans, Chief Innovation Officer at Amplifi, urged teams to correct. Active metadata drives focus, optimization, and value within data ecosystems.
Meanwhile, Andrea Gioia, CTO at Quantyca and Co-founder of Blindata, emphasized the urgency of prioritizing knowledge management. By fostering stronger foundations of organization-wide knowledge sharing, companies can future-proof their data strategies.
On data products, quality, & value
Data product management is more than a trend—it’s a necessity. Anna Bergevin, Sr. Product Manager at ResMed, emphasized how focusing on data quality and leveraging AI tools enhances productivity and business impact.
Quality remains the cornerstone of AI success. Kevin Hu, CEO of Metaplane, underscored how trust in data ensures smooth GenAI implementations and prevents costly mistakes in critical business applications.
For companies striving for AI maturity, Colleen Tartow, Ph.D. Field CTO and Head of Strategy at VAST Data, offered a reality check: Align high-quality data products with business needs, avoid unnecessary hype, and focus on delivering value.
On data technologies
Open table formats are paving the way for flexibility and collaboration. Vinoth Chandar, CEO of Onehouse, broke down their role in reducing vendor lock-in and improving the scalability of modern data systems.
Finally, Ole Olesen-Bagneux, Head of Architecture Governance at GN Group and author of The Enterprise Data Catalog, introduced the Meta Grid. Inspired by microservices and data mesh concepts, Ole explained how this decentralized architecture can already be found within organizations—if we know where to look.
Final thoughts
Season 8 confirmed that the data landscape is changing in exciting and challenging ways. Whether it's the increasing importance of data fluency and culture to leveraging AI technologies, our guests provided invaluable perspectives on where data is heading next.
We’re grateful for another season filled with candid conversations, expert insights, and a vibrant community of data enthusiasts. Here’s to Season 8 —and more honest, no-BS discussions about data! 🥂
