DATA GOVERNANCE CHANGE MANAGEMENT
From Drift To Direction - Why Every Data Leader Needs An ANCHOR
By Aakriti Agrawal and Dr. Arvind Agrawal
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Data Governance Change Management is your indispensable guide to navigating data governance change when you’re between executive mandates and frontline execution, high expectations and limited resources. Designed for mid-level managers and data and business professionals, this book provides an empowering and actionable roadmap for leading successful, sustainable transformation efforts. It’s not just about implementing a new data catalog or policy—it’s about building buy-in, shifting mindsets, and turning resistance into resilience.At the heart of this book is the ANCHOR Model, a six-factor framework—Aim, Need, Community, Hooray, Obstacles, and Resilience. Unlike traditional change management approaches, the authors designed the ANCHOR Model for data governance professionals working in dynamic, often decentralized environments. You’ll learn how to conduct “data therapy” to uncover stakeholder pain points, align your program with business strategy, recruit cross-functional allies, and celebrate small wins that snowball into big results. With real-world case studies, templates, and exercises, this book is both practical and motivational.Whether you’re launching a new data governance initiative, advocating for responsible data use, or just trying to shift your team from “data police” to “strategic partner,” this toolkit meets you where you are. You’ll gain skills in change leadership, data strategy, data quality management, and governance communication, all grounded in emotional intelligence and organizational psychology. If you’ve ever struggled to secure executive sponsorship or wondered how to get others to care about your governance work—this book shows you how.Data Governance Change Management goes beyond buzzwords to give you the language, mindset, and methods to influence without authority and build a data-driven culture that sticks. With increasing demands for data privacy, compliance, AI ethics, and enterprise data literacy, the need for adaptable, human-centered leadership has never been greater. This book is your companion on that journey.If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building traction for your data change efforts, Data Governance Change Management will equip you to lead with purpose—and to anchor change that endures."With this book you get the benefit of the Agrawals’ decades of combined experience leading change. They also draw upon the experience of real data professionals and middle managers and share their insights with you."
- Danette McGilvray, Author of Executing Data Quality Projects"The ANCHOR provides a mnemonic and model that can be applied to any program that relies upon strong, consistent organizational change management. And it teaches the model in an accessible manner."
- Gwen Thomas, Founder, The Data Governance Institute
MEET THE AUTHORS:
Aakriti Agrawal
Aakriti Agrawal, MBA, CDMP, ADGP, is a Senior Manager of Data Governance at American Express, a Fortune 100 company. She has a Master’s degree with a focus in organizational and nonprofit change from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has spent the entirety of her career in data management and data governance. On the side, she enjoys philanthropy work—she is a serial nonprofit founder.She co-founded her first nonprofit, Girls Code Lincoln, which teaches middle school girls to computer program in Lincoln, Nebraska, as she was herself learning to code. Her second nonprofit, the Nonprofiting Org, provides entrepreneurial support to nonprofit founders. Through her professional and philanthropic experiences, Aakriti has demonstrated effective change leadership by generating buy-in, developing processes, and creating robust programs that grow and thrive.She has been recognized with the Inspire Founders Award and the Emerging Young Leaders Award, has been nominated to the Forbes 30 Under 30 List, has given a TEDx talk, and serves on numerous boards of national and international nonprofits. Aakriti is a frequent speaker on topics such as data governance, change management, female representation in STEM, and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Arvind Agrawal
Dr. Arvind Agrawal spent over 30 years of his career as a marketing professional, working hands-on with a variety of consumers within the financial services industry in India and the Asia-Pacific region. He has led multi-million-dollar marketing budgets for multiple Fortune 500 companies, including American Express, GE Capital, and VISA International, as well as for smaller companies such as Contract Direct, Fair Isaac, and NIIT. Through these experiences, he has successfully introduced multiple financial products by focusing not just on the launch itself, but also on the culture and process changes required within the company.After a successful professional career, Arvind chose to relive his college days and return to pursue a Ph.D. in Consumer Behavior, researching the factors that influence decision-making. He is now an Assistant Professor of marketing at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he shares knowledge with undergraduate and master’s students.Arvind’s first book, “How India Found Its Feet”, shares the economic growth of India during the 1990s and early 2000s, through a collection of interviews with the people who led to the change in the economic makeup of the country, distilling the essence of their successes. Arvind frequently publishes articles on topics such as marketing, entrepreneurship, the financial industry, and consumer psychology.
RESOURCES:
While reading the book, you may have noticed reference material, and copies of worksheets that you can download. You can find all of those links below:ANCHOR One Pager Summary
Data Therapy Notes - Color
Data Therapy Notes - B/W
Business Value Calculator - B/W
Business Value Calculator - Color
NEWSLETTER:
Edition 1 - Published December 17, 2025
Occasionally, the Authors will send out an email newsletter with updates, information, etc. If you would like to sign up to receive updates, please do so here.
ORDER:
Here is how you can grab a copy for yourself:1. Via Amazon (globally - change this to your local link if needed) for either Kindle or print.2. Via Technics Publications website for either PDF or print. Use promo code TP25 for 25% off!
Speaking:
We're coming to a city near you!Upcoming Presentations:
2026
June, New York NY - DAMA New York
October, Los Angeles California - DAMA LA's DAMA DayPast presentations:
2026
Jan 21, Minnesota - DAMA Minnesota
Feb 18, Chicago - DAMA Chicago
April, Kansas City - DAMA Kansas City
May 5, San Diego - 1 hour Fear x Data Quality SIG at DGIQ/EDW
May 6, San Diego - 1 hour Change Management SIG at DGIQ/EDW
May 7-8, San Diego - 1.5 day Seminar at DGIQ/EDW2025
Oct 20, Omaha Nebraska - Academic Conference (Arvind)
Oct 22, Phoenix Arizona - Data and Pickleball Event. RSVP here
Nov 12, Toronto - DAMA Toronto
Nov 13, Phoenix Arizona - ISACA Phoenix
Dec 4, Ohio - DAMA Buckeye-----
Aakriti and Arvind are available for keynotes, panels, and workshops on data governance, organizational change and data management.For speaking inquires, please reach out via [email protected]Topics include:
- 6 Ways that Your Change is Sinking (and how to stay afloat)
- Leading the Human Side of AI Changes
- Every Data Leader Needs an ANCHOR: Master Change Management
- Change Management SIG (Special Interest Group)
- Women in technology: The Power to Stay
- Nonprofit Foundership
- Careers in Data Governance and Data ManagementFormats:
- Keynotes (30–60 minutes)
- Panels and moderated discussions
- Interactive workshops (half-day, full-day or multi-day)
- Internal leadership sessionsPast speaking references:
- DGIQ Conference
- EDW Conference
- DMZ Conference
- SisTech Conference
- TEDx
- DAMA International
- DAMA Chapters (Minnesota, Chicago, New York, Ohio, Phoenix, etc.)
- Multiple Podcasts
The Following people have received certificates of completion on the anchor your change methodology
Book Club Class 1: Jan-March 2026
Dr. Aaron N. Cutshall
Adéla Suchá
Bill Wood
David Street
Gilbert Lavides
Lauren Goldfish
Marie Jadhwani
Natalia Roślik
Natalie Gamble
Nikunj Desai
Robin Mertes
Sue BingertDGIQ/EDW May 2026
Adriann Gin
Brian Greenfield
Carla Lynx
Laura Lammons
Lynette Rukstad
Maria Restrepo
Mary R. Borchert
Stephanie Strimling
Tammy Baker
Uche Njoku
Book club:
The Authors just concluded their first book club! Congrats to the ANCHOR Certified Graduates!If you would like to sign up to receive invites for the next session of the book club, please sign up here.
Thank you for attending my DGIQ/EDW 2026 session!Resources:
ANCHOR One Pager Summary
Data Therapy Notes - Color
Data Therapy Notes - B/W
Business Value Calculator - B/W
Business Value Calculator - Color
Storytelling Podcast on HBR
Maturity Model Self AssessmentConnect with Aakriti:
Linkedin
Newsletter
CONTACT:
We would love to hear your feedback on the book - reach out to us with any questions, comments, concerns or ideas!Email us at: [email protected]