Records Management and Information Governance (IG) professionals are often asked to manage growing volumes of information, evolving regulatory requirements, and increasing stakeholder expectations, all while working within tight budgets and limited staffing models. Maintaining or creating an effective records and IG program without a large team, expensive software, or extensive consulting support is a true challenge.

This interactive session will explore practical, real-world approaches for building and sustaining successful records and information governance programs when resources are constrained. Drawing on firsthand experiences and lessons learned, panelists will share creative strategies for maintaining retention schedules, leveraging emerging AI capabilities, developing records coordinator networks, and partnering with business stakeholders to expand program reach and influence.

Attendees will learn how to maximize the impact of small teams, identify cost-effective alternatives to traditional solutions, and prioritize activities that deliver the greatest value and risk reduction. The session will also feature a rapid-fire roundtable discussion where participants can exchange ideas, workarounds, and innovative approaches to common records management challenges.

Whether you are a team of one, part of a mature governance program or anywhere in between, you will leave with actionable ideas and practical techniques that can help you strengthen your program, increase efficiency, and deliver meaningful results without a large budget.

Panel Discussion Presenters:

Andrew Ysasi, MS, CRM, IGP, CIP, CIGO, FIP, CIPM, CISM, PMP, is a senior Information Governance executive with 25 years of experience advancing governance strategy, professional standards, and leadership across the Information Governance industry. As Vice President of Advocacy at Vital Records Control (VRC), he serves as a visible champion for the IG profession mentoring practitioners, delivering education, supporting clients, and promoting best practices that strengthen governance maturity across organizations navigating regulatory complexity, digital transformation, and emerging technologies.

Donda L. Young, CIP, AIIM Fellow, is the principal consultant and CEO of Helias Consulting, where she supports organizations on their information governance journeys. She brings more than 20 years of experience as a practitioner, vendor, and consultant serving Fortune 500, Am Law 100, not-for-profit, and healthcare organizations. A Certified Information Professional, Donda is widely recognized for her leadership in the field, including being named an AIIM International Fellow and serving as past President of ARMA International’s New England Chapter. She is passionate about giving back to the IGRM community through volunteering, speaking, and mentoring. Donda believes organizational success depends on everyone’s active participation in managing and governing information, and she is honored to help clients and colleagues achieve their goals.

Tod Chernikoff, CRM, IGP, CIP, FIIM,  Tod Chernikoff is a Certified Records Manager, an Information Governance Professional, and a Certified Information Professional. He has over twenty-five years of experience providing organizations and clients with records and information management and information governance services. He has served ARMA International in positions at the local, regional, and international levels, including as a member of the ARMA International Board of Directors. He received the ICRM's 2014 Alan Andolsen Award for outstanding CRM Mentorship. He is a member of the Enterprise Data Risk Governance Team at Navy Federal Credit Union, helping to enable RIM operations across the global enterprise as their RIM Governance Lead.