Data Coalition Member Summit 2025: Ron Vassallo’s Welcome Remarks

Good afternoon. 

What do we think of Martha Washington burning the correspondence between her and George? Was she a privacy trailblazer, was it a radical act of feminist agency, or was she destroying vital data on the founding of the country? Ok, that’s it. Please take the next five minutes to talk amongst yourselves…

It’s a privilege to welcome you to the 2025 Data Coalition Member Summit. This is one of my favorite moments of the year—not just because of what we talk about here, but because of who shows up.

We are government analysts and industry executives. We are researchers, regulators, and reformers. And we are united by one powerful idea: that data, when used wisely, has the potential to improve lives, shape better policy, and strengthen democracy.

As a Board Member of the Data Foundation, I want to start by sharing why this work matters so much to me. This community—this Coalition—represents the best of what’s possible when people come together across sectors and silos to build something lasting. It's where ideas are stress-tested and insights are translated into practice. It’s also where policy becomes accessible and actionable.

This year, our convening takes place at a moment of transition. (No spoiler alert there.) A new administration has introduced new priorities. For many of us, this means navigating uncertainty, reassessing direction, and staying attuned to the evolving role of data in governance.

Rather than resist that change, this Summit invites us to engage it…and to navigate it.

The Data Coalition’s 2025 strategy reflects this posture: one of adaptation, listening, and action. It’s grounded in what we’ve heard from you—our members. And it’s shaped by the lessons from the past year: the push for greater accountability, the ongoing debates around data privacy and security, and the practical needs of those working in the field.

As we look ahead, the Coalition will continue to strengthen its role as a connector and convener. We will provide analysis on legislation, insight into implementation, and the kind of nonpartisan advocacy that helps data-informed policy thrive, regardless of political winds.

Over the last six months, the Data Foundation has been VERY busy. The goal: to keep this coalition informed and vigilant. On Valentine’s Day, the Data Foundation launched SAFE-Track, a chocolate box of love to the data community.  This secure, encrypted portal enables confidential reporting on how federal evidence and data activities have impacted the entire data ecosystem across private, public and non-profit initiatives. In March, Nick and friends took the show on the road at South by Southwest. Where an array of thought leaders discussed how data innovations and digital platforms can transform America's approach to nutrition and health outcomes. That forum also debuted a collaborative pilot data repository led by the Data Foundation, data.world, and Cyberhill Partners to increase access to cross-sector data on health, nutrition, and food security.

Just a few days ago, and powered by the aforementioned SAFE-Track, the Foundation released its 3rd Evidence Capacity Pulse Report delivering a fresh snapshot of where federal agencies stand in their ability to generate and use evidence. The findings are both encouraging and challenging: there’s growth in strategic planning and performance measurement, but staffing and data-sharing capacity face unprecedented headwinds. These are solvable problems—but only if we work together.

That’s why this Summit matters.

Our agenda this year reflects the urgency and complexity of the moment:

• You’ll hear from state and local government leaders about how they are preparing for changes in data sources and how data offices collaboratively work with other states, municipalities across states, or with the federal government.
• You’ll hear about government agencies’ capacity for responsible AI integration and data sharing.
• We’ll dig into implementation strategies—from cutting-edge approaches to secure, ethical data linkage across federal agencies, to the impact of data on decision-making. 
• We’ll engage in cross-sector conversations on ethics, serving communities, responsible data sharing, and privacy-preserving technologies.

Throughout, you’ll see one unifying thread: a belief that data isn’t just technical—it’s cultural. It tells stories. It shapes narratives. It influences decisions. And if we want to build a stronger data future, we must get better at telling that story. Stories about the people behind the data, the policies informed by it, and the public good it can deliver. More to the point, it can also serve as a call to action.

So I welcome you to lean into this moment. Ask questions. Challenge assumptions. Share what’s working and where you’re stuck. Because this Summit, like the Coalition itself, only works if we show up and collaborate.

And for those of you who are new to the Data Coalition, or are considering joining, let me close with this:

The Coalition is a trusted source for data-informed policy. It links government with academia, industry with advocacy, and local innovators with federal change-makers. It is where conversations start, where knowledge is shared, and where real-world impact takes shape. If you care about the future of data policy—and you want to be part of shaping it—this is where you belong. This is the room where it begins.

Thank you for being here. Let’s roll.