Data Foundation to Convene govDATAx 2026: Realizing the Value of Public Data

Full-day convening on Sept. 15, 2026, makes the case for public data's value to economic growth, government accountability, and evidence-informed policymaking

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, September 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Data Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the use of data and evidence to improve government and public policy, will host govDATAx 2026: Realizing the Value of Public Data, a full-day event bringing together government leaders, data practitioners, policymakers, technologists, and researchers, on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at The George Washington University's University Student Center in Washington, D.C.

At a moment when the availability, integrity, and accessibility of government data are under renewed scrutiny, govDATAx 2026 will examine how public data drives economic growth, supports evidence-based policymaking, enables government accountability, and empowers communities. Speakers and panelists will explore both the concrete value that open, high-quality public data delivers, and the real costs when that data is unavailable or underutilized.

Event Details
What: govDATAx 2026: Realizing the Value of Public Data, hosted by the Data Foundation
When: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. ET
Where: The George Washington University, University Student Center, 800 21st St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20052
Registration: eventbrite.com/e/govdatax-2026-realizing-the-value-of-public-data-tickets-1992943886814 (members of the media, see Media Registration below)

"govDATAx is where we make the affirmative case for public data, demonstrating its current value across sectors and communities, whether that’s by preventing fraud, protecting public health, enabling scientific discovery, powering our economy, or enriching Americans’ quality of life in many other ways," said Nick Hart, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Data Foundation. "As AI reshapes what's possible, this convening brings together the leaders building the resilient, trustworthy data infrastructure the country needs for the decade ahead."

Sessions throughout the day will include:
- a panel on public trust and engagement in the federal data ecosystem,
- a discussion among federal Chief Data and AI Officers on turning data assets into faster, better-informed decisions,
- a fireside chat with congressional staff on how Capitol Hill oversees and legislates federal data, and
- a panel on how data and analytics are strengthening fiscal accountability and fraud prevention across government.

The full program agenda is available at datafoundation.org/events/view/govdatax-2026-the-value-of-public-data.

Confirmed public-sector speakers include:
- Gus Chiarello, Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Ken Dieffenbach, Executive Director, Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC)
- Austin Gerig, Ph.D., Chief Data Officer, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- Clark Hedrick, Staff Director/Senior Counsel, Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC)
- Renata Miskell, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Accounting Policy and Financial Transparency, U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Cindy Orellana Good, Deputy Chief Data Officer, Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation (invited)

Confirmed private-sector speakers include:
- John Bernard, Founder, President & CEO, America's Pulse
- Andrew Clarkwest, Ph.D., Managing Director, Employment and Economic Opportunities Program, American Institutes for Research (AIR)
- Matt Graviss, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer, Public Sector, Atlassian
- Robert Shea, CEO, GovNavigators
- Mike Horton, Ph.D., Chair, Africa Tech Forum, The Africa Economic Forum
- Deidre Harrison, Senior Expert, McKinsey & Company
- Sunny Wescott, Executive Director, Geospatial Intelligence Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GEOINT ISAC)
- Abed Ali, Principal, Deloitte
- Maggie Cawley, Appointed Chair, National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC), U.S. Department of the Interior; and Executive Director, OpenStreetMap US

2026 Datum Awards Reception
Immediately following govDATAx, the Data Foundation will host an evening reception at Sixty Vines in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood to honor the recipients of the 2026 Datum Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations advancing the use of data and evidence in government and public policy. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com/e/2026-datum-awards-tickets-1999387239054.

Media Registration
Members of the media interested in attending govDATAx 2026 should contact J.B. Wogan, Director of Communications, at media@datafoundation.org for complimentary registration.

J.B. Wogan
Data Foundation
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