Nicole Janeway Bills is the Founder & CEO of Data Strategy Professionals. She has a proven track record of applying data strategy and related disciplines to solve clients’ challenges, and has worked as a data scientist and project manager for federal and commercial consulting teams. Nicole’s specialisms include NLP, cloud computing, statistical testing and web and application development.
For our latest post, Nicole has compiled a list of the most influential data-focused books released this year. In the ever-evolving world of data & AI, balancing data strategy with a people-centred, empathetic approach has never been more important. Featuring notable authors including Robert S. Seiner and Serena H. Huang, Nicole’s list reflects this growing demand for data practices rooted in both strategy and empathy:
The 2025 lineup of data-focused books offers fresh perspectives on leadership, architecture, governance, and inclusion. UNLINKED by Meenu Howland reveals the overlooked architectural disconnects that hinder business performance and presents a framework to realign strategy and structure. Malcolm Hawker’s The Data Hero Playbook provides actionable advice for developing core data leadership skills, equipping readers to influence change and deliver value. In Non-Invasive Data Governance Unleashed , Robert S. Seiner expands on his well-known approach by applying it to AI, emphasising practical, people-centred governance. Serena H. Huang’s The Inclusion Equation bridges data, AI, and organisational well-being, offering a timely model for advancing diversity through evidence-based decision-making. Together, these books reflect a growing demand for data practices rooted in both strategy and empathy.
Author: Meenu Howland
Time to read: 8 hrs 24 mins (252 pages)
Rating: 5/5 (1 total ratings)
This book challenges the conventional, siloed approach to data, process, and architecture by revealing the missing structural link that many organisations overlook. Consultant Meenu Howland presents a practical, accessible roadmap for aligning data strategy, business capabilities, AI, and governance – not through abstract frameworks, but through connected, scalable action. The book emphasises starting with business value, integrating governance into workflows, and enabling trust and transparency in AI. With clear chapter summaries and a cross-disciplinary lens, UNLINKED is a vital guide for leaders and practitioners seeking to fix what’s broken, not by working around the chaos, but by building clarity into how everything fits together.
TL;DR: A practical guide that exposes the hidden architecture connecting data, process, AI, and governance. Howland shows leaders how to move beyond silos by anchoring data strategy in business value and aligning workflows through shared logic. Ideal for those seeking scalable, real-world clarity, not more frameworks.
Author: Malcolm Hawker
Time to read: 9 hrs 36 mins (288 pages)
Rating: 5/5 (4 total ratings)
Hawker offers a bold and refreshing blueprint for redefining data leadership by challenging outdated mindsets that have long limited progress in data functions. Through practical steps, candid reflections, and powerful real-world examples, the author empowers data leaders to shift from passive data stewardship to proactive business value creation. These valuable insights equip readers to lead data functions that matter – strategically and ethically, not just technically. The Data Hero Playbook introduces a customer-obsessed, outcome-oriented approach Hawker refers to as ‘Heroic Data Leadership’. With sharp insights, storytelling, and a call to reject ‘garbage in, garbage out’ excuses, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to drive meaningful change through data. The content spans data literacy, data governance, executive alignment, and fiduciary risk, all while emphasising empathy, accountability, and impact.
TL;DR: Hawker empowers data leaders to reject outdated mindsets and adopt ‘Heroic Data Leadership’ – a customerfocused, value-driven approach. The book offers actionable steps, real stories, and sharp critiques that challenge passive stewardship and enable data teams to deliver strategic impact.
Author: Serena H. Huang
Time to read: 8 hrs 32 mins (256 pages)
Rating: 5/5 (12 total ratings)
The Inclusion Equation reframes inclusion and well-being as measurable business drivers rather than intangible ideals. Drawing on her experience leading people analytics at PayPal, GE, and Kraft Heinz, Dr. Serena H. Huang delivers a data-powered guide for transforming culture into business-critical infrastructure. Through actionable frameworks and compelling case studies from companies such as Microsoft, Meta, and Cisco, she shows how to link employee experience to retention, innovation, and performance.
The book equips leaders to detect early signals of burnout, disengagement, and turnover risk using AI and to present insights with the clarity and impact required to influence the C-suite. With a focus on storytelling, data fluency, and Gen Z’s evolving workplace expectations, The Inclusion Equation offers a modern playbook for people leaders, analysts, and executives committed to building inclusive, resilient organisations that compete on culture as much as capability.
TL;DR: Huang shows how to treat inclusion and well-being as measurable business priorities. With frameworks, AI tools, and case studies, she equips leaders to detect early risk signals and drive cultural performance, backed by data and built for C-suite influence.
Author: Robert S. Seiner
Time to read: 11 hrs 24 mins (342 pages)
Rating: 4/5 (2 total ratings)
Through his widely adopted Non-Invasive Data Governance (NIDG) framework, Robert S. Seiner has redefined how organisations approach governance. Seiner’s latest book demonstrates how to adapt NIDG to a rapidly evolving data and AI landscape. Non-Invasive Data Governance Unleashed offers a pragmatic, people-centred approach that aligns governance with existing roles, responsibilities, and corporate culture without introducing heavy overhead or disruption.
Rather than treating governance as a separate, compliance-driven initiative, Seiner positions it as a natural extension of how people already interact with data. The book delivers step-by-step guidance for implementing NIDG in a variety of contexts, from decentralised environments to AI-ready data ecosystems. Readers will find actionable strategies that support trust, transparency, and data quality – essential pillars for AI success. Packed with case examples and endorsed by leading voices in the field, including Bill Inmon, Thomas Redman, and Douglas Laney, this book empowers data leaders to embed governance into daily operations, foster accountability, and drive real business value. Non-Invasive Data Governance Unleashed is an essential resource for any organisation seeking to operationalise governance without sacrificing agility
TL;DR: Seiner modernises his proven Non-Invasive Data Governance approach for the AI era. The book teaches how to embed governance into everyday operations by aligning with existing roles and behaviours – minimising friction while maximising trust, quality, and accountability.
