Patrick Cernea

Director of Data Strategy & Governance, York University

Patrick Cernea helps shape and advance the University’s Data & Analytics Strategy and leads its data governance program. His work focuses on data governance, data literacy, and responsible data use to support informed decision-making across the institution.

He has contributed to conversations on data strategy and governance through presentations, articles, and collaborations with higher education institutions and professional organizations in Canada and internationally. He is particularly interested in practical approaches that help institutions build trust, improve data understanding, and create stronger foundations for analytics and AI readiness.

Gigi Lin

Data Governance Analyst, York University

Gigi joined the Office of Institutional Planning and Analysis at York University in April 2023 as a Data Governance Analyst. In her role, she focuses on metadata management and institutional data definitions, helping build a data dictionary that supports shared understanding across faculties and units.

When she's not in the Data Cookbook, she supports the data learner's journey at York through coordinating data literacy sessions, developing digital resources, and engaging the community practically to achieve York's data governance vision.

Rania Waseef

Consultant

Peter Vennel

Global Head of Data Governance at Finastra

A transformative leader cultivating a data-centric culture, Peter specializes in guiding organizations to monetize data as a product. With extensive experience in strategic and tactical data management and governance initiatives, he collaborates with C-suite executives and external partners.

Committed to continuous education, Peter holds certifications in CDMP, CBIP, PMP, SSBBC, TOGAF, CIPM, among others.

Peter serves on the BOD of DAMA International and is the founding President and current Treasurer of DAMA Georgia.

Maryam Pourkashani

Director Data Strategy Enablement - TD Wealth Management

Maryam Pourkashani is a senior Data Strategy, Governance, and Transformation leader with over 30 years of experience driving business value through data, technology, and organizational change. She has led enterprise initiatives across banking, telecommunications, healthcare, education, and geospatial technology, specializing in data governance, information management, cloud transformation, and regulatory enablement.

Known for aligning business and technology stakeholders, simplifying complex challenges, and building high-performing partnerships, Maryam delivers sustainable outcomes that strengthen governance, improve decision-making, and accelerate transformation. Her leadership combines strategic vision with practical execution, helping organizations unlock the full value of their data assets.

Rogan Vleming

Head of Data and Analytics, 407

Rogan leads enterprise analytics at the 407 ETR, including data science, insights, data engineering, and data governance. He is currently driving data maturity for the organization and leading its data strategy.

Earlier in his career, at Conexus, Rogan implemented Snowflake, stood up data governance, and built out credit and digital marketing models.  At Simon Kucher he recruited and set up the global data science and engineering team, including enabling them with a modern data environment. At Scotiabank he built up dynamic pricing for financial services products and helped implement transfer pricing and structural interest rate risk modeling.

Rogan holds an MBA in Finance and a B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University. Outside of work, he enjoys photography and vintage air-cooled automobiles.

Kaydene Tyson

Enterprise Risk & Data Governance Manager, Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF)

Kaydene is an enterprise risk and data governance leader with experience spanning data governance, enterprise risk management, audit, technology and AI risk, third-party risk, and privacy risk. In her current role, she leads enterprise risk management and data governance initiatives, including the development of data strategy, governance frameworks, data lifecycle management, and cross-functional stakeholder engagement.

She is a CPA in both the United States and Canada and holds the CIA and CDMP credentials. She is particularly interested in practical, risk-based approaches to data governance and responsible AI adoption that balance effective oversight with business objectives.

Haleh Mohseni

Data and AI Transformation Leader

Haleh Mohseni is a Data & AI Transformation Leader with 15+ years of international experience across data, analytics, technology, business processes, and transformation in global pharmaceutical, life sciences, and automotive organizations. With an engineering background and a Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP®) designation, she brings a dual business and data perspective spanning data management, AI, analytics, operating models, and enterprise transformation. Her work focuses on connecting trusted data and business context with business processes and operating models to enable better decisions and measurable business value. Haleh is particularly interested in the evolution from traditional BI toward decision intelligence, and in the emerging two-way relationship between Data Management and AI-from building AI-ready data foundations to using AI to enhance data management and decision-making.

Ellen Brown

Slack Consulting

Ellen is an independent data management consultant and CEO of Slack Consulting Inc. She is a CDMP-certified professional, the founder and two-time elected President of DAMA NCR (Ottawa, Canada), and the Presidents' Council Chair of DAMA International. Passionate about elevating the data profession, Ellen actively supports local academic and educational institutions in designing and delivering data management programs and is committed to strengthening the global data management community.

Ellen aspires to inspire data professionals across business and technical domains in both the public and private sectors. She helps organizations navigate complexity, address data-related challenges, and unlock new opportunities - bringing clarity, confidence, and practical solutions to every engagement. Her work frequently supports major business transformation initiatives in the digital and AI space, enabling organizations to adopt technologies and techniques responsibly and effectively. She is always eager to offer consultations, coaching, and contribute to conferences and speaking events around the world.

Beyond her professional work, Ellen is a lifelong learner and enthusiastic problem-solver. She enjoys studying languages, playing guitar, and experimenting with handiwork. She is deeply connected to both the international travel community and her local film community, where she finds inspiration, collaboration, and creative energy. At home, she is happily surrounded by her many lovable pets and her awesomely supportive partner.

Aakriti Agrawal Kim

Sr. Manager, American Express and Author

Aakriti Agrawal Kim, MBA, CDMP, ADGP, is a Senior Manager of Data Governance at a Fortune 100 company, where she leads large-scale data change initiatives. She holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Change from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and has dedicated her career to the intersection of data, transformation, and leadership. Her book, “Data Governance Change Management”, introduces the ANCHOR Framework for Change Leadership and is available in both English and Spanish. Learn more about her book at ANCHORyourChange.com

Aakriti is also a serial nonprofit founder, having co-founded Girls Code Lincoln and The Nonprofiting Org. She currently serves on the DAMA Phoenix and the DAMA International boards, along with numerous other nonprofit boards around the country and world. Recognized with the Inspire Founders Award and the Emerging Young Leaders Award, and nominated to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Aakriti is a TEDx speaker and frequent presenter on data governance, change management, and diversity and equity in STEM.