ELIZABETH O’BRIEN
Grayslake,Illinois
Summary
A future-focused leader with a proven ability to architect regulatory and compliance programs from the ground up, including those at the intersection of emerging technologies and privacy law. Known for leveraging deep regulatory expertise and a creative, collaborative problem-solving approach to navigate complex legal landscapes, from global privacy frameworks to the ethical governance of Artificial Intelligence and biometric data. Skilled at securing executive buy-in, leading high-stakes incident response, and translating complex legal requirements into actionable, business-integrated strategies.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
VP, Global Privacy Officer & Privacy Counsel
Assurant, Inc.
06.2022 - Current
- Lead the Global Privacy Office and comprehensive Privacy Program for a Fortune 500 company operating in 21 countries, managing a widely diverse product portfolio.
- Key contributor in the development and implementation of a formal Artificial Intelligence Governance Program, actively participating on AI Advisory and Data Governance Committees to create foundational policies, standards, and control programs.
- Secured executive leadership buy-in to standardize numerous global privacy operations, significantly reducing business resource allocation and enhancing efficiency.
- Strategically negotiated privacy and security provisions in critical client and vendor contracts, ensuring compliance with evolving global regulations.
- Directed the Privacy Incident Response function, independently managing and coordinating high-stakes privacy incidents with external counsel to mitigate risk and ensure timely, compliant resolution.
Chief Compliance Officer & Chief Privacy Officer
Trustmark Services Company
01.2011 - 01.2021
- Built the Corporate Compliance Program from inception, establishing an enterprise-wide framework for ethics, conduct, and regulatory oversight.
- Introduced a comprehensive Enterprise Privacy Program, inclusive of regulatory implementation, policy development, and a multi-stakeholder incident evaluation, reporting, and response plan, in close coordination with the Chief Information Security Officer.
- Developed and deployed enterprise-wide corporate compliance and privacy training programs, significantly enhancing awareness across the organization.
- Managed a team of 5 direct reports and oversaw a Compliance Department of 25 FTEs, ensuring both product and service regulatory compliance.
- Led investigations into allegations of illegal or unethical conduct, regularly presenting findings and recommendations to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
U.S. Privacy Officer & Privacy Counsel
Assurant, Inc.
10.2021 - 06.2022
- Developed and operationalized a major initiative to align U.S. operations with a multitude of evolving state and federal privacy laws resulting in streamlined compliance using fewer resources.
- Managed timely responses to data subject access requests, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.
- Advised senior management on strategic decisions related to privacy issues, supporting informed decision-making at all levels of the organization.
- Oversaw incident response efforts, conducting investigations and reporting breaches as necessary to regulatory authorities.
Associate General Counsel
Trustmark Services Company
2006 - 01.2011
- Analyzed, summarized, and communicated the critical requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to the Executive Team, enabling proactive strategic planning and compliance.
- Served as Anti-Money Laundering Officer and developed corresponding AML program.
- Drafted reviewed, and negotiated a wide range of contracts to support business objectives and minimize risks.
- Provided expert legal advice to executive leadership, supporting informed decisionmaking.
Director of Compliance
Trustmark Companies
1996 - 01.2005
- Through a series of advancing roles culminating in Director of Compliance, I managed multiple compliance projects and served as a key internal resource for Federal and state regulatory compliance issues.
- Worked closely with in-house lawyers to provide regulatory and legal research and pre-litigation file reviews, effectively devising summaries and recommendations.
- Attended law school commencing in 2003 while working full-time at Trustmark.
- Served as Trustee for Trustmark’s Charitable Organization, the Trustmark Foundation, 2008 - 2018
Education
Juris Doctor - Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Chicago, IL01.2005
Bachelor of Arts - History & Political Science
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN01.1994
Skills
- Global Privacy & Data Protection: Expert knowledge of HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA and other US state-specific privacy laws, and evolving international data protection frameworks
- AI & Biometric Governance: Regulatory analysis, Program development, ethical policy creation, and control framework implementation for AI initiatives, including biometric data considerations
- Creative Problem Solving: Convert regulatory complexity into innovative, scalable, and business-integrated solutions through cross-functional collaboration
- Regulatory Analysis & Implementation: Proactive research, impact assessment, and operationalizing new legal requirements across diverse product portfolios
- Privacy Incident Response: Leading high-profile data breach response, mitigation, and comprehensive regulatory reporting
- Executive & Board Relations: Delivering clear, strategic counsel and presentations to C-suite leadership and Board committees
- Contract Negotiation: Specialization in privacy, data security, and data processing agreements with clients and vendors
Timeline
VP, Global Privacy Officer & Privacy Counsel
Assurant, Inc.
06.2022 - Current
U.S. Privacy Officer & Privacy Counsel
Assurant, Inc.
10.2021 - 06.2022
Chief Compliance Officer & Chief Privacy Officer
Trustmark Services Company
01.2011 - 01.2021
Bachelor of Arts - History & Political Science
Purdue University
Juris Doctor - Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Associate General Counsel
Trustmark Services Company
2006 - 01.2011
Director of Compliance
Trustmark Companies
1996 - 01.2005
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