DGX Monthly – November
Hi everyone
Welcome back to DGX Monthly. 👋
This past year has been different. It feels like interest in data governance has shifted. For years, the field sat in the background. Now it is front and centre. Boards want to know how AI is governed. Leaders are asking about data quality. Every event and conference is pushing the same message. AI has made governance a real priority.
This shift is an opportunity for every data team. The interest in AI has opened the door for real conversations about data quality, ownership and risk. It is the moment to embed data governance into day-to-day work, not treat it as a side project.
Recent Company LinkedIn Activity and Discussions
It has been a busy month across DGX and our online community. Here is a wrap-up of what has been resonating most.
Technology Evolves. The Fundamentals Do Not
APRA made it clear that the biggest risks in financial services stem from weak data governance. This piece shows why the fundamentals still decide whether AI and modern tech are safe to use.
Something Has Changed. The Wind Has Shifted
AI has pushed data governance into the spotlight, with boards and leaders now demanding clarity on trust, quality and oversight after years of ignoring it.
Do You Really Need a Data Governance Council
Most companies set up a Data Governance Council too early, and the post explains that a council only works when there are real owners, real activity and real decisions to make.
My Highlights From Data Vision 2025
A sold out DataVision event showed how data governance, AI governance and records management are converging, with metadata and knowledge graphs becoming essential for giving AI real business context.
Meme of the Month
Credit: Chad Barendse
Webinar Recap: Data Catalogues: From Selection to Adoption
Earlier this month, we ran a DGX webinar on one of the most common questions data teams face. How do you choose the right data catalogue, and how do you make sure people actually use it?
The message that came through was clear. Catalogue projects fail when teams cannot explain the problem they are solving. Success has nothing to do with features. It comes from adoption.
Here are the points that landed with the group
→ Start with the problem before looking at platforms
→ Build the catalogue into existing workflows
→ Curate new data first and show value fast
→ Keep it social with wins and shared learning
If your team is thinking about a catalogue or getting ready for selection, the session gives a clear process to follow and real lessons from the field.
👉 Click the link to see the full recording
Data Governors in Bars: End of Year Edition
We wrapped up the year with our Data Governors in
Bars event at the Duke of Wellington.
It was great to see so many familiar faces from the Melbourne data governance community. The group has grown a lot this year and it showed in the conversations. People shared progress, real wins, and the tough parts of getting governance to work in the real world.
It reminded us why we started DGX in the first place. To build a space where people can connect, learn from each other and feel supported in the work they are doing.
Thank you to everyone who came through and helped close out the year with us.
We are already planning what comes next. More in person events, more community, and more chances to learn from each other in 2026.
Thanks again for being part of it.
Data Governors in Cafes Drinking Coffees Recap
This month’s Data Governors in Cafes chat took place virtually with Karina Blackman, Master Data Governance Manager at GrainCorp. Karina’s career began in finance, transformation, and process excellence, and that experience shapes how she approaches governance today. For her, governance isn’t a set of rules, it’s a way to support people through real change.
She’s currently in the thick of a major ERP transformation, using it as an opportunity to build clear master data standards, strengthen ownership, and improve trust across the business.
A highlight of our chat was her “Master Data Minutes” — short internal posts she writes to help lift data literacy in simple, relatable ways. Her greyhound example, where one dog has four different names, captures the importance of consistent definitions better than any slide deck could.
Her message was clear: “Put the people at the forefront before you worry about frameworks and tools.” A reminder that good governance always starts with people.
If you are interested, we’d love to get to know you: https://dgx.group/data-governors-in-cafes/
