Agents of change: managing cultural shifts at scale

Change is hard. It’s an old truth—but one that matters more than ever in the age of AI. In this episode, host Thomas Brence sits down with two champions of change at McDonald’s—Director of Enterprise Data Governance, John Tucker, and Change Agent & Communications Manager, Avery Chandler—to explore why change management is essential to building a successful data governance program.Together, John and Avery share how McDonald’s put change management at the center of its governance journey, dedicating a role to guide employees through new tools, policies, and behaviors. They discuss how empathy, storytelling, and frameworks like ADKAR help bridge the gap between business strategy and everyday practice—turning adoption into traction.From flipping burgers in training to navigating AI-driven transformation, this conversation reveals how grounding governance in human experience can drive lasting cultural change. Discover why a change agent may be the most important hire your data program can make.Three reasons you should listen to this episode:1. Make change management a cornerstone. Hear why McDonald’s embedded a dedicated change manager into its governance team and how it’s transforming adoption.2. Use storytelling and frameworks to connect. Learn how ADKAR and the power of narrative help employees understand, embrace, and sustain new ways of working.3. Build empathy through hands-on experience. Discover why training alongside restaurant staff—even burning fries—creates a culture that’s ready to embrace data and AI.ResourcesConnect with ThomasConnect with JohnConnect with AveryEnjoyed this episode?Be sure to follow us so you never miss an update. You can leave us a review on Apple or Spotify, and share it with your friends and colleagues to help others learn more about the importance of a data-first digital transformation approach.Have questions? You can connect with us on LinkedIn. For more updates, please visit our website.

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