Breaking Data Silos: AI-Ready Data Strategies with Nishith Trivedi, Enterprise Data Governance and Global MDM Lead at Pfizer
Download MP3In this insightful episode of Data Hurdles, hosts Chris Detzel and Michael Burke sit down with Nishith Trivedi, Enterprise Data Governance and Global MDM Lead at Pfizer. Nishith shares his journey from chemical engineering to becoming a data expert, and details how his team is transforming Pfizer's data landscape to support AI initiatives.
Nishith provides a fascinating look at how a pharmaceutical giant manages data across multiple verticals—from supply chain to R&D—while explaining the challenges of making data "AI-ready." He discusses the evolution from vector-based RAG to graph-based approaches, the importance of ontologies in preventing AI hallucinations, and how knowledge graphs help connect unstructured data.
The conversation explores how Pfizer is navigating complex regulatory requirements across 150+ countries, the shift toward patient-centric approaches, and the vision for creating FAIR data (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable). Listeners will gain valuable insights into enterprise data governance, the future of agentic AI, and practical strategies for breaking down data silos in large organizations.
Creators and Guests
Guest
Nishith Trivedi
Nishith Trivedi is the Enterprise Data Governance and Global MDM Lead at Pfizer, where he works within the AI data and analytics practice. His career began with a pivot from chemical engineering to management information systems during college, which led him into data management consulting. During his consulting years, he worked with various government agencies (U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Navy, USDA) and Fortune 100 clients like Verizon Wireless, gaining extensive experience in data lakes, data warehouses, and business intelligence. Around 2014-2015, he began specializing in master data management, working with platforms like Reltio and Informatica. In 2021, Nishith joined Pfizer to lead their MDM efforts, and in March 2023, his role expanded to include enterprise data governance. His current responsibilities encompass data governance platforms, ontologies, knowledge graphs, reference data management, metadata management, data stewardship, and governance councils across all business verticals at Pfizer.
