John Moran
Data Governance Leader
San Diego
Summary
A strategic Data Governance and Data Quality leader with a proven track record of driving data integrity, compliance, and operational excellence at Fortune 500 companies. I specialize in designing and executing enterprise-wide data governance strategies, implementing data quality frameworks, and enabling risk mitigation through robust data management, AI governance, and regulatory compliance. With extensive experience in building and leading Data Governance Councils, I collaborate with executives and business leaders to establish governance policies, stewardship models, and data quality initiatives that drive trusted, high-value data assets across organizations. I am currently leading the effort to embed data governance principles into AI development, ensuring ethical, transparent, and compliant innovation. Working closely with cross-functional teams and external consultants, my team is establishing governance frameworks that promote responsible AI practices, regulatory alignment, and risk mitigation. A recognized thought leader and speaker, I have built and led global teams, delivering measurable impact—enhancing data quality, enabling AI governance, driving cost efficiencies, and ensuring regulatory compliance through innovative governance strategies.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Senior Director, Governance of Automation, AI, and Data
Thermo Fisher Scientific
09.2024 - Current
- Lead enterprise-wide initiatives to strengthen data governance, automation, and responsible AI governance
- Develop and enforce governance frameworks that ensure operational excellence, ethical AI practices, and stakeholder trust
- Develop and implement Data Quality Scorecards for business-critical data across divisions, ensuring accuracy and consistency
- Conduct business and data readiness assessments for AI use cases to support responsible AI adoption
- Strengthen data governance within the Data Catalog, prioritizing high-value datasets for improved visibility and control
- Close governance gaps by defining roles, responsibilities, and compliance measures for privacy, security, and data protection regulations
- Design governance frameworks that include standards, guidelines, ethics training, and tools to vet AI solutions while maintaining an AI registry for transparency
Senior Director, Enterprise Data Governance
Thermo Fisher Scientific
10.2022 - 09.2024
- Promoted to lead enterprise-wide data governance, data quality, and compliance strategies, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements
- Defined and implemented enterprise-wide data governance policies, standards, and procedures to ensure data accuracy and compliance
- Led Data Governance Councils with representatives across business units to drive collaboration, data stewardship, and organizational alignment
- Developed key performance indicators (KPIs) for data quality to drive improvements and compliance monitoring
- Established training programs and governance workshops to improve data fluency across the organization
Director, Enterprise Data Governance
Thermo Fisher Scientific
07.2021 - 10.2022
- Led the execution of data governance strategies, stewardship models, and risk mitigation efforts across key business domains
- Drove enterprise-wide data policies and standards, ensuring alignment with compliance requirements
- Built and led three Data Governance Communities across Product, Finance, and Customer organizations, engaging 250+ practitioners
- Implemented Data Governance Capabilities Assessment Model certification to enhance framework maturity
Director, Product Data Governance & Lifecycle Management
Thermo Fisher Scientific
07.2012 - 07.2021
- Oversaw global product data governance, lifecycle management, and regulatory compliance for 12 divisions
- Led global cross-functional teams across five countries to drive data integrity and governance best practices
- Developed standardized product launch processes, achieving a 1,500% increase in throughput and reducing time-to-market by 50%
- Implemented data governance frameworks, improving compliance and data quality across all divisions
Additional Leadership Roles in Data Governance & Process Improvement
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Life Technologies, Invitrogen, Intuit, GE Capital
- Held multiple leadership roles at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Life Technologies, Invitrogen, Intuit, and GE Capital, driving data governance, quality management, process efficiency, and risk mitigation
- Led cross-functional teams in Six Sigma and Lean Process Improvement initiatives, resulting in millions in cost savings
- Spearheaded major data governance and compliance transformations, enabling high-impact data stewardship and quality assurance programs
Education
MBA - Finance
University of Portland
BS - Marketing
Santa Clara University
Skills
- Enterprise Data Governance
- Data Quality Management
- AI & Automation Governance
- Risk & Compliance
- Data Strategy & Architecture
- Master Data Management
- Data Stewardship
- Cross-Functional Leadership
Websites
Certification
Certified Data Governance & DG Capabilities Assessment Model
Industry Experience
25 years in Finance, Software, and Life Sciences, including 17 years in Life Sciences
Leadership Communication
Founding member & 10-year Toastmaster (ACB)
Core Expertise
- Enterprise Data Governance
- Data Quality Management
- AI & Automation Governance
- Risk & Compliance
- Data Strategy & Architecture
- Master Data Management
- Data Stewardship
- Cross-Functional Leadership
Timeline
Senior Director, Governance of Automation, AI, and Data
Thermo Fisher Scientific
09.2024 - Current
Senior Director, Enterprise Data Governance
Thermo Fisher Scientific
10.2022 - 09.2024
Director, Enterprise Data Governance
Thermo Fisher Scientific
07.2021 - 10.2022
Director, Product Data Governance & Lifecycle Management
Thermo Fisher Scientific
07.2012 - 07.2021
BS - Marketing
Santa Clara University
Additional Leadership Roles in Data Governance & Process Improvement
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Life Technologies, Invitrogen, Intuit, GE Capital
MBA - Finance
University of Portland
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