In this candid and colourful interview on data governance, Su Jella, Executive Leader, Global Awards Recipient & Bestselling Author, reimagines the discipline through dinner party metaphors, culinary cautionary tales, and chaotic orchestras. From stewardship and AI diets to governance disasters, Su brings sharp insight and humour to the complex world of modern data leadership.
If you were to host a dinner party with an organisation’s data, which data would you place at the head of the table, and which would you keep away from the festivities? In other words, how do you determine data ownership, stewardship, and access as business teams become more data-driven?
At the head of the table, I’d proudly seat the organisation’s highest-quality, well-governed data—the kind that’s accurate, reliable, and ready for prime time.
As for data I’d keep away from the festivities: That honour goes to inconsistent, incomplete, or unvetted data, which has no business mingling with decision-makers.
Data ownership and stewardship are essential responsibilities shared across the organisation. Think of data like an adventurous child in a candy store: it’s eager to be everywhere at once, but without guidance, it can quickly spiral into chaos. That’s why each business unit, (eg: Finance), should take ownership of their data, while enterprise data governance teams establish the frameworks and guardrails that keep everything secure and compliant.
When it comes to access, it’s all about smart controls. Without well-defined permissions, data can easily wander into the wrong hands or contexts, creating unnecessary risk and confusion. Structured stewardship ensures data is both protected and leveraged to its full potential as teams become increasingly data driven.
As AI becomes a core part of decision-making, how do you ensure its feasting on clean, trustworthy data—and not suffering from data indigestion?
Imagine AI as a discerning foodie at a grand buffet—hungry for insight, but only as good as the ingredients on its plate. To keep our AI feasting on clean, trustworthy data (and not nursing a bout of data-indigestion), we treat data quality like preparing a gourmet meal: meticulous sourcing, careful preparation, and a dash of rigorous oversight.
Just as you wouldn’t serve outdated leftovers at a dinner party, we don’t let suspicious data near our AI systems. We invest in robust data validation, automated quality checks, and clear accountability for every dataset that enters the warehouse kitchen. That way, our algorithms are always well-nourished—delivering results that everyone can savour, without any unwelcome surprises.
In other words: feed AI with good quality data, and it’ll reward you with smart, reliable decisions. Let messy data sneak in, and you’ll spend your days cleaning up the mess. Bon appétit!
Generative AI imaging prompts - created by Su Jella
If you could permanently automate just one painful part of data governance, what would it be—and why is that pain point still so common in 2025?
If I could wave a magic wand and automate just one excruciating aspect of data governance, it would be untangling a mess of processes and legacy systems that refuse to play nicely together. Picture a data orchestra where every musician is following a different conductor—and the sound of the music goes off-key! Too often, organisations are still dealing with ancient platforms, phantom processes cobbled together with digital duct tape, and mysterious business rules that left with their creators.
Why is this pain point still haunting us in 2025? Because outdated systems are stubborn survivors, and the original sheet music for how data should flow has vanished.
Automating the harmonisation of business processes and tools—creating a seamless symphony of trusted, validated results—would free up teams to focus on insights, not firefighting. Until then, we’ll keep waltzing between workarounds, whilst we continue to dream of an automated, harmonious data landscape that creates organised synergy!
What’s the wildest or most catastrophic data governance fail you’ve ever encountered or heard about—and what did it teach you about governance’s role in protecting business outcomes?
This is a juicy one and a very recent one – over 16 billion login records were exposed on email and social media services, a massive breach and the biggest one yet. These are clearly not unique customers or records, but the fact that individuals can own multiple accounts and have that breached is a catastrophe. It is both a governance and a cyber failure by massive tech companies.
When major tech companies are targets for customer information, every company is at risk of having their data breached.
There is a very close relationship between cybersecurity and governance - these teams need to work closely with each other and have a strong crisis management plan in securing, educating and communicating with customers when these cyber disasters take place.
Let me take you on a chaotic ride: picture a digital tidal wave—over 16 billion (yes, billion!) login records washing up from email and social media services. It’s not just a breach—it’s the data governance equivalent of the Titanic steering for the iceberg at full speed, with no one at the wheel. Sure, not all those records are unique individuals (sometimes we all have more than one forgotten account), but the sheer scale is jaw-dropping.
This wasn’t just a simple oopsie—this was a spectacular failure of both governance and cybersecurity, starring some of the world’s biggest tech companies. When global giants can’t keep their data ship afloat, it’s a wake-up call: if their vaults can spring a leak, nobody’s data is truly safe.
What did this teach us? That data governance isn’t just about bureaucratic checklists or tedious compliance—it is a frontline defence. Governance teams and security teams need to be partners, not wallflowers, especially when a crisis starts to take its course. Strong crisis management, clear communication, and relentless education are essential to keep the business—and its reputation—off the rocks. In short: treat governance like your business depends on it, because one day, it absolutely will.
Link to original article.
If you had to rebrand data governance for the modern enterprise—give it a catchy tagline or elevator pitch—how would you sell it to business leaders who still think it’s just red tape?
I'm adding a marketing spin to challenging topics, and found that this is a great way to drive enablement in organisations - this is my version of data governance enablement (copyright reserved):
Persona: The Data Governance Guardian
Your Trustworthy Guide in the Data World
Meet Auria Compass—a model of discipline, order, and unwavering integrity in the realm of data governance. Auria is not your average bureaucrat; instead, they’re the vigilant guardian who ensures every byte is in its rightful place and every dataset is nurtured to flourish. Dressed in digital pinstripes, Auria charts the course for secure, responsible growth, always thinking two steps ahead to prevent storms and steer clear of rocky compliance waters.
- Disciplined and Organised: Auria thrives on structure, laying out clear frameworks for data management so nothing falls through the cracks.
- Trustworthy and Reliable: With Auria at the helm, business leaders sleep soundly, confident their data’s fate is in responsible hands.
- Growth Enabler: Auria doesn’t just protect; they cultivate, ensuring information is secure but also ready to unlock new value at every turn.
- Communicative and Educational: Auria speaks plainly about risks and best practices, turning complexity into clarity for everyone across the business.
- Steadfast in Crisis: When trouble surfaces, Auria leads with calm authority, coordinating swift responses and transparent communications.
Auria Compass: the perfect role model and compass for your business’ data journey—guiding, protecting, and empowering every step of the way!
Generative AI imaging prompts - created by Su Jella
Data Governance, Unlocked: Precision, Protection, and Possibility
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Su Jella will be chairing and speaking at CDAO Melbourne 2025. Interested in learning more about Data? Join us at CDAO Melbourne this September!
Photo by Andrew Wulf on Unsplash
