About the Webinar
A Women in Data Management & Governance Webinar
Barbara Forth has spent more than 30 years in executive and consulting roles across financial services and industry, including leadership positions at Fidelity Investments, Capital Group, Experian, General Electric, and her own B4th Consulting practice.
Now, as the inaugural Chief Data Officer at William & Mary, she leads data strategy and oversees Institutional Research, Data & Analytics, and Data Governance, working across academic, administrative, and technology leadership to make data easier to trust, use, and act on.
She also co-chairs the EDUCAUSE Chief Data Officer group, collaborating with peers on practical approaches to data governance, data foundations, and analytics and AI.
In this candid conversation facilitated by Kelle O’Neal, CEO of First San Francisco Partners, Barbara reflects on the journey: the pivots, the moments of being stuck, the mentors, the superpowers, and what AI means for the CDO role today. Whether you’re early in your data career or already leading, her perspective offers something worth carrying with you.
Our Partners
About the Speakers
Kelle O’Neal is the founder and CEO of data consulting firm First San Francisco Partners (FSFP). She’s a veteran industry leader and accomplished advisor and a noted speaker, author and trainer.
Kelle is passionate about helping organizations realize the business value of data. Kelle’s strong background in customer relationship management, enterprise software and systems integration uniquely positions her to excel in helping organizations of all sizes and complexities successfully execute data governance, organizational change management, master data management and other information management initiatives.
Kelle developed her ability to work through organizational complexity, build consensus and drive results in senior roles at companies that include U.S.-based firms GoldenGate Software, Siebel Systems and Oracle. She also worked at the executive level in Europe and Asia.
Under Kelle’s leadership of First San Francisco Partners, the firm’s client base has grown significantly since 2007, as has its management, consulting and support teams.
Barbara Forth is the inaugural Chief Data Officer at the William & Mary, where she leads data strategy and oversees Institutional Research, Data & Analytics, and Data Governance. Her work focuses on making data easier to trust, use, and act on, so leaders can make better, faster decisions.
She builds data capabilities that align people, process, and technology. Barbara works with executive leaders across academic, administrative, and technology areas to translate priorities into clear KPIs, governance, and actionable insights. Her approach starts with the most important questions facing leadership, while improving data quality, strengthening stewardship, and building the data foundation for reliable analytics and AI. She is advancing analytics in rankings, KPIs, and athletics, and has recently established a Data Fellows program that embeds PhD-level talent with the Data and Analytics team to solve high impact academic and operational challenges.
Barbara is co-chair of the EDUCAUSE Chief Data Officer group, working with peers to align on practical approaches to data governance, data foundations, and analytics and AI. She helps organizations move from fragmented, system-driven environments to aligned, decision-focused data.
Prior to William & Mary, Barbara spent more than 30 years in executive and consulting roles across financial services and industry, with experience on both coasts, including leadership positions at Fidelity Investments, Capital Group, Experian, General Electric, and her own B4th Consulting practice. She delivers data solutions that work in real organizations, turning complex challenges into clear, practical strategies.
Where Online Conversations Become Real-World Connections
Join us this May in San Diego for DGIQ + EDW 2026—where the insights you hear online turn into hallway conversations, meaningful connections, and collaborative breakthroughs. Experience the energy, the people, and the momentum that only happens in person.
