Coalesce Honors Data Leaders Driving Innovation with 2025 GOAT Awards

Annual Program Recognizes the Humans Powering the Future of Data

/EIN News/ -- SAN FRANCISCO, May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coalesce, the AI-powered data transformation and governance company, announced the 2025 Greatest of All Transformers (GOAT) award recipients, honoring data professionals at the forefront of modern data management practices.

In an industry that’s driving business analytics and AI innovation, it’s easy to forget that behind every breakthrough is a team of humans—data engineers, data architects, data scientists, data analysts, and data ops—who make the magic happen. At Coalesce, we call them Data Transformers.

We created the Greatest of All Transformers (GOAT) program to honor the people doing the hard, often invisible work of building the foundation for business intelligence and AI innovation, ultimately transforming how organizations manage and deliver data.

Now in its second year, the GOAT program recognizes members of Coalesce’s Data Transformers community—forward-thinking data engineers, data architects, and industry leaders, who share a passion for solving real-world challenges while redefining what is possible with data. These leaders represent a global community pushing the boundaries of innovation and shaping the future of business through cutting-edge data solutions, automation, and collaboration.

2025 GOAT of the Year Award

In addition to recognizing the full class of 2025 GOATs, Coalesce is proud to name Gu Xie, Head of Data at Group 1001, as the 2025 GOAT of the Year—a singular honor awarded to an individual who leads the way in innovation while upholding best practices in data engineering and data operations to ensure long-term success. Gu’s work exemplifies leadership in building future-ready data infrastructure, streamlining operations, and driving long-term strategic success across the enterprise.

Under Gu’s leadership, the data team at Group 1001 Innovations has modernized its data stack, strengthened data quality, and built scalable systems that enable faster, smarter decision-making across the business.

The Class of 2025 GOAT Honorees

Alongside Gu, Coalesce is also recognizing the Class of 2025 GOAT Honorees—a cohort of standout contributors whose work drives the future of the data industry. The list includes data professionals from Fortune 500 enterprises, fast-moving startups, sports teams, and consulting firms from around the world. These GOATs demonstrate excellence in practice, leadership in community, and an unrelenting focus on solving complex data challenges.

“The GOAT program is our way of recognizing the people who are actively shaping the future of the data industry through innovation and collaboration,” said Armon Petrossian, CEO and co-founder of Coalesce. “Gu Xie and the entire class of 2025 GOATs exemplify leadership in this ever-evolving space. We’re excited to support and celebrate their accomplishments now and in the future.”

Class of 2025 GOAT Honorees

North America

• Frank Bell, ITS Consulting
• Dane Bernhardt, HUB International
• Ajay Bidani, Powell Industries
• Patrick Buell, Hakkoda
• Jimmy Ched’homme, TubeScience
• Naveen Chidiri
• Andrew Crisp, UCBI
• Amanuel Dandena, Alterman
• Blake Davidson, PetIQ
• Lee Derks, DigBI Consulting
• Brennan DiChiara, Tampa Bay Rays
• Parker Dillon, 3STEP
• Juan Dominguez, Tampa Bay Rays
• Christopher Elliott, Denny’s
• Matt Florian, Hakkoda
• Jesse Fry, ECS Tuning
• Munish Gandevia, 3STEP Sports
• Jay Gimple, CDAO
• Kent Graziano, The Data Warrior
• Justin Grimme, Snowflake
• Brandon Harris, Oshkosh Corporation
• Joe Horton, WSECU
• Susan Kolesnikov, Group 1001
• Nicholas Mann, Stratos
• Erik McConathy, CKE Restaurants
• Shyam Nair, Texas Capital Bank
• Hilda Olekangal, Q2
• Deborah Reinagel, Alterman
• Sarah Siron, PetIQ
• Joel Stanley, ECS Tuning
• Sam Stein, MERU
• Matt Tischler, Blue Cardinal Home Services Group
• Kelly White, UCBI
  
  

Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)

• Chris DeVogel, Medtronic
• Fabian Geist, Heraeus
• Ivo Goudzwaard, Boels Rental
• Ralph Knoops, Nextview Consulting
• Lachlan Macpherson, N-Able
• Christopher Rüge, RSG
• Ronald Seinen, Medtronic
• Chris Tabb, LEIT Data
• Sojin Yoon, Heraeus
  
  

Australia-New Zealand (ANZ)

• John (JC) Cosgrove, Cloudwerx
• Adam Courtier, Mitre 10
• Ravi Nath, Esri Australia
• Martin Norgrove, Qrious
• Quintus van Wyk, Mitre 10
  
  

About Coalesce
Coalesce transforms how data teams work by simplifying data development and governance. The platform enables data practitioners of all skill levels to build, discover, and scale data projects with unprecedented speed and quality. Designed for flexibility, Coalesce empowers organizations to accelerate the delivery and consumption of trusted, enterprise-ready data—while reducing time and effort tenfold. Learn more at Coalesce.io.

Media Contact
                    Coalesce
                    Aleks Todorova
                    Global Corporate Communications
                    pr@coalesce.io