Chris Nichols

About Chris Nichols

Twenty years leading data practices in focus on helping more than two dozen client companies establish people, process and technologies in data governance and curation, mastering, advanced analytics and data science leading to support for successful applied AI. Have personally led sales and delivery of over two dozen engagements with companies spanning many industries, with differing regulatory and business requirements. We have met the clients where they are, often starting from early stages, sometimes with no technology, through technology selection evaluations and procurements and integrating those technologies with enhanced process and management.Coined concepts of \"Data Governance Light,\" and \"just enough governance to powerfully leverage AI.\"Specialties include: Enterprise Transformation; MDM; Data Quality; Data Governance; Metadata Management; Data Lake Governance; Change Management; Executive Coaching; Practice Creation, Building and Management; and Advanced Analytics. And now, guiding client companies in how to prepare for AI: Starting from where they are, gathering use cases, prioritizing, then how to put \"just enough\" governance in place to ensure success.

Experience

1. Director Data & Analytics

   AIM Consulting Group

   Jul 2025 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

   Spearhead the development of tailored analytics strategies, enhancing client data maturity and operational efficiency. • Collaborate closely with clients to identify key areas for early enablement, resulting in streamlined processes and improved technology integration. • Drive successful AI operations by implementing phased project plans, leading to measured increasess in data-driven decision-making across client organizations.

Education

• Pragmatic Marketing

  Product Marketing & Management Certification

  2005 — 2005

• Fielding Graduate University

  pending, Evidence Based Coaching

  2008 — 2009

• UCLA

  M.A.

• Center for Leadership Studies

  Situational Leadership

  2005 — 2005

• UCLA

  Master's degree

Skills

• Leadership
• Change Management
• Strategic Planning
• Team Leadership
• Enterprise Software
• Management Consulting
• Solution Selling
• Public Speaking
• Customer Relationship Management (Crm)
• Planning
• Organizational Development
• Business Development
• Business Process Improvement
• Go-to-Market Strategy
• Team Building
• Management
• Crm
• Business Strategy
• Training
• Strategy
• Executive Coaching
• Consulting
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Marketing Strategy
• Project Planning
• Leadership Development
• Team Management
• Program Management
• Coaching