#United States #Data Integration #public policy #Arlington, VA #Coleridge

Coleridge's 6th Annual National Conference: A Hub for Collaborative Data Integration

Coleridge held its prestigious 6th Annual National Conference between March 24-27 in Arlington, Virginia. This gathering brought together nearly 250 data experts, policymakers, and thought leaders from 39 states and various federal agencies, creating a vibrant platform to discuss how administrative data can transform public policy. The focal theme of this year was "Data Beyond Borders," underlining the significance of collaboration across different agencies, institutions, and sectors.

Emphasizing the Power of Data in AI

Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of Coleridge, emphasized during the conference that data plays a pivotal role in everything we do, particularly in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI). To yield meaningful collaboration and significant impacts, it is essential to connect different data sources. He stated, “Policy decisions derived from linked datasets become clearer and have substantial power when we transcend both literal and figurative borders.” This reflects the core idea that interconnected data can lead to more informed decisions.

Diverse Discussions on Data Impact

The opening plenary, moderated by Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's, saw insights from a panel including David Wilcox of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Cami Feek, Commissioner of Washington State’s Employment Security Department, and Chris Kurz from the Federal Reserve System. They discussed the state of statistics and data utilization in the United States, offering perspectives on emerging tools and methodologies.

Following this, Robert Santos, Director of the U.S. Census Bureau, led another plenary session featuring prominent figures like Robert McGough, Arkansas's Chief Data Officer, and Dominique Duval-Diop from the U.S. Department of Commerce. This panel shared valuable strategies aimed at enhancing the evidence ecosystem, crucial for advancing impact-driven policies.

Building Networks for Effective Policy Making

The conference attracted a broad community, incorporating rising participation from academic institutions, nonprofit partners, and local education agencies. This diverse participation allowed for the forging of new connections, fostering collaborative networks aimed at enriching learning and ensuring meaningful policy impacts.

Attendees delved into various discussions, including:

• - The current state of statistics, data, and AI in the U.S.
• - Infrastructure, governance, and mechanisms to turn data into public value
• - Strategies for building AI-ready data systems
• - Utilizing administrative data to craft evidence-based policies
• - Designing effective data systems to connect education with workforce needs

For those interested, the full conference agenda is available online.

Celebrating Data-Driven Leadership

One highlight of the conference was the presentation of the Data Champion of the Year Award for 2026, which was awarded to New Jersey. Stephanie Walsh and Lesley Hirsch accepted the award, acknowledging the state’s excellence in advancing data-driven innovations in public services. Hirsch noted, “Our success in New Jersey is due to our partnership model that facilitates collaboration between various agencies. This recognition inspires us to continue our efforts in this important work.”

About Coleridge

Coleridge operates as a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the effective use of data in public decision-making. Through its initiatives, it promotes data literacy among government agencies, fostering collaborations that span across states and sectors. The organization’s Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) offers secure data enclave services, allowing clients to link and analyze their data collaboratively. To discover more about Coleridge and its initiatives, visit www.coleridge.us.

In conclusion, Coleridge's 6th Annual National Conference not only highlighted the evolving landscape of data collaboration but also signified a crucial step towards creating a more interconnected framework for policy-making that transcends boundaries.