Andy Best
Associate
Ask Andy about data strategy and governance, public data infrastructure, and public sector innovation.
About Andy
Andy’s mission is to help our public institutions meet the challenges of the coming decades.
Mr. Best helps governments develop public data governance, infrastructure and stimulus strategies. The design of public data infrastructure projects can target priority social and economic sectors and be fit for purpose to today’s data economy. As a consultant Andy works to ensure this occurs responsibly within strong public governance frameworks.
Mr. Best was recently the CEO of the Civic Digital Network, a research, development and prototyping shop for public data infrastructure. Between 2018-22, CDN developed technology infrastructure, governance and policy prototypes to responsibly govern municipal data at scale.
Building on that collaborative work, in 2021 Andy served a Public Appointment as Special Advisor to guide development of the Ontario Data Authority. The ODA is an initiative to better manage, share and protect data generated by public institutions, while enabling social and economic growth across sectors. He continues to support the Province today as a volunteer Member of the Ontario Health Data Council.
Previously, Andy led the innovation file at the City of Guelph, including:
- Co-designing the Civic Accelerator, Canada’s first challenge-based innovation procurement program inside of a City Hall;
- Implementing Canada’s first municipal open government action plan.
Andy is also a mental health advocate, Dad to three and husband to one.