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:Coming soon! Please check back on Sept 30th
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, only for the next few weeks!
Speaking:
The Authors are speaking at a number of talks where you can learn more about the book! To keep up, please join our newsletter by signing up here.:2025
Oct 20, Omaha NE - Arvind will be presenting at a conference about the academic side of the model. Please email [email protected] if you're interested in attending as this is invite only.
Oct 22, Phoenix AZ - Aakriti will be talking about AI Risk & Change Management. RSVP here2026
June, New York NY - (Tentative) DAMA New YorkInterested in inviting us to speak?
If you are interested in our authors speaking at your DAMA Chapter, conference or event, please reach out via [email protected]. Thanks!
Book club:
The Authors are hosting a Virtual Book Club, where they'll work through each chapter of the book with you, starting in October! If you would like to sign up to receive invites, recordings and notes, please sign up here.
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]