Tim Hayden is a pioneer in customer data strategy and one of the automotive industry’s most respected voices on data governance, privacy, and digital transformation. As VP & Strategic Advisor for Data Governance at Lion Partnership, Tim brings decades of experience helping organizations harness the power of data to drive smarter decisions, stronger customer relationships, and sustainable growth.

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As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Brain+Trust Partners, Tim has worked with some of the most recognized brands in automotive and beyond, guiding them through the complexities of modern data ecosystems. His expertise spans customer data platforms (CDPs), identity resolution, privacy compliance, and first-party data strategy... critical pillars for dealerships navigating an increasingly cookieless and privacy-first world.

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Tim’s approach is rooted in clarity and control. He helps organizations move away from fragmented, vendor-controlled data environments toward fully owned, governed, and actionable data infrastructures. His work ensures that dealerships not only collect data, but trust it, understand it, and activate it with purpose.

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A sought-after speaker and advisor, Tim has educated thousands of leaders on the importance of data stewardship, often emphasizing that data is not just a marketing tool, it’s a business asset that impacts every department, from sales to service to executive leadership.

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At Lion Partnership, Tim leads initiatives that empower dealerships to take ownership of their data, mitigate risk, and future-proof their operations. His philosophy is simple: when your data is aligned, governed, and actionable, your entire dealership becomes more intelligent, agile, and customer centric.

 

With Tim Hayden, data doesn’t just inform decisions, it transforms them.