Moving at the Speed of Trust: Building Ethical Data Systems with Sydney Idzikowski

In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, Roger and Drew are joined by Sydney Idzikowski, Associate Director of the Charlotte Regional Data Trust, for a deep dive into how integrated data systems can “move at the speed of trust.” Together, they unpack what administrative data is, why it so often remains siloed across agencies, and how the Data Trust works to securely connect information from sectors like housing, education, and public health. Sydney shares how building trust—amid privacy concerns and data surveillance fears—is central to effective data sharing, and explains the governance, legal, and technical frameworks that make it possible. Sydney has been at the helm of turning fragmented agency data into a single, trusted resource for research, planning, and evaluation. From linking school records to shelter stays, to mapping out the pathways of people who’ve experienced homelessness – she’ll share real‑world stories that show how data can drive policy changes that actually help people.In this episode we’ll cover:The biggest challenges with administrative data at the local levelHow a “data trust” works and why it matters for privacy, ethics, and impactSuccess metrics for an integrated data system (think 35 % of a county’s population!)A compelling case study on homelessness services that led to a full‑time social worker in a shelterPractical tips for researchers, practitioners, and anyone curious about using linked data responsiblyCheck out the Charlotte Regional Data Trust and Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy.