Leadership Insights Episodes
Turning Privacy Into a Business Success Factor with Matthew Ellis (Ep. 16)
In this episode of Compliance Chronicles, Liisa Thomas talks with Matthew Ellis, an “opportunity creator and problem solver” who has spent nearly 25 years building and leading privacy programs across startups, Big Four firms, global technology companies, and consumer brands. Matthew shares how he fell into privacy at an email marketing startup, went on to start EY’s first Bay Area privacy practice, led privacy at Microsoft and Peloton, and now advises small–to–mid‑tier companies on turning p…
Security at the Intersection of People and Technology with Shellie Dreistadt (Ep. 15)
Chief Information Security Officer Shellie Dreistadt joins Compliance Chronicles with Liisa Thomas to talk about how psychology, cybersecurity, and leadership resilience come together in modern security programs. She shares her nonlinear path from psychology and call‑center leadership into information security, online banking, and ultimately her current CISO role.
Shellie explains why security sits at the intersection of people and technology, and how understanding behavior, motivati…
Developing Effective Compliance Guardrails with Bill Connolly (Ep. 14)
Stepping into compliance “by accident,” building guardrails that actually help the business, and staying curious enough to reinvent your career—Episode 14 with Bill Connolly is packed with practical lessons for anyone in risk, privacy, or compliance leadership.
In this episode of Compliance Chronicles, host Liisa Thomas talks with Bill Connolly, Head of Resiliency Risk for the U.S. retail bank at HSBC. Bill oversees a broad risk portfolio that spans information risk, business continu…
Creative Connections with Business Teams, with Katie Tomashevski (Ep. 13)
In episode 13 of Compliance Chronicles, host Liisa Thomas welcomes Katie Tomashevski, a distinguished British solicitor and internal auditor with a specialization in data privacy and compliance. Originally from New York and trained in London, Katie brings a unique perspective shaped by her unconventional career path from photojournalism and the entertainment industry into the complex world of regulation and data protection.
From Creative Industries to Compliance Leadership
Ka…
Successful Compliance with a Yes Before No Approach with Joe Habib (Ep. 12)
In this 12th episode of Compliance Chronicles, Liisa talks with Joe Habib, who shares insights on navigating privacy, compliance, and AI. He emphasizes the importance of understanding technology, building trust, and taking a 'yes before no' approach. His journey and advice inspire a commitment to continuous learning.
Takeaways
Understanding technology
Building trust
'Yes before no' approach
Continuous learning
If you enjoy t…
The Path From Big Law Litigator to CLO with Lori Baggett (Ep. 11)
Chief Legal Office Lori Baggett shares her journey from small‑town Florida to Big Law litigator to CLO at PODS, a national moving and storage company. In this 11th Episode of Compliance Chronicles, she talks with host Liisa Thomas about what really changes when you move from law firm partner to in‑house counsel and ultimately into the chief legal officer role.
Lori describes her path from Division I basketball player to clerk on the Eleventh Circuit, to 18 years at a prestigious firm…
Using Operational Change in Compliance with Kam Dodge (Ep. 10)
In this episode of Compliance Chronicles, our 10th, Kam Dodge, an in‑house leader with roots in Northwestern SESP’s Learning and Organizational Change program, explains why privacy and compliance are non‑negotiable in heavily regulated industries and introduces his “rubber balls vs. glass balls” framework for prioritizing risk. He shares how to use simple expected‑value thinking (likelihood x impact) to communicate 8‑ and 9‑figure exposure in language that boards and business leaders underst…
Thriving in Compliance Gray Areas with Deb Sokol (Ep. 9)
In episode nine of Compliance Chronicles, we learn from Deb Sokol the importance of embracing the gray and look at the evolving nature of compliance. Deb shares her compliance journey and lessons she's learned along the way.
What we cover:
Being open to new opportunities and volunteering for stretch assignments can unexpectedly launch a career in privacy and compliance
Moving from a pure legal role into a compliance role requires a mindset shift toward controls, …
Compliance Success: Building Relationships with Business Teams with Rebecca Hanovice (Ep. 8)
In our eight episode, we are joined by Rebecca Hanovice, who shares her journey to privacy leadership. She highlights the importance of community and support in the field of privacy compliance.
Takeaways include:
The constant evolution of privacy law
Building relationships with the business
Importance of community and support
If you enjoy this conversation, make sure to subscribe to Compliance Chronicles in your favorite podcast app and follow the show so y…
Saying Yes to the Long Game in Compliance with Mark Jaffe (Ep. 7)
In episode seven, Mark Jaffe shares his journey into compliance, the importance of saying yes to opportunities, the long game of compliance, risk management, ethical decision making, lessons in compliance management, and career development and growth in the compliance space.
Takeaways
Saying yes to new challenges and opportunities is important for career growth.
Compliance is a journey, and it's important to focus on the long game and risk management.
If …
Optimizing Consumer Trust in Compliance with Jill Cusack (Ep. 6)
In this episode, we learn from Jill Cusack about her journey as a compliance professional. She shares common challenges faced in the field and gives valuable advice for those just starting out.
Jill describes the challenge of working between two worlds: helping consumers understand what is happening with their data and helping business and technology teams understand how new products and practices affect transparency, choice, and trust. She also shares the importance of humility in c…
Operationalizing Compliance in Your Business with Derek Buehler (Ep. 5)
In this episode of Compliance Chronicles, we delve into the evolution of business and compliance and the importance of engaging business teams in compliance efforts.
Key takeaways include the concept of compliance as everyone's job and the criticality of solid market identification.
Overcoming Hurdles in Privacy Compliance with Donna Del-Greco (Ep. 4)
Donna Del Greco, Vice President of Legal Services at SciPlay Games, shares her journey and insights into the privacy compliance space. The conversation covers her introduction to the privacy world, the challenges in navigating privacy compliance, and key advice for privacy compliance professionals.
Takeaways
Data Privacy and Compliance
Challenges in Privacy Compliance
If you enjoy this conversation, make sure to subscribe to Compliance Chronicles in your favorite p…
Audit Skills that Power Compliance with Katie Witt (Ep. 3)
The conversation with Katie Witt covers her journey from internal audit to privacy and compliance, the skills transition from audit to privacy compliance, and the challenges and advice for navigating the compliance journey. Katie shares insights on identifying noise and important developments, balancing methodical approach with risk, and the importance of building a network within the compliance field.
Takeaways
Transitioning from audit to privacy compliance
Balancing…
Following Unique Paths to Successful Privacy Compliance with Mike Smith (Ep. 2)
How do you turn a “strange path” through the Navy, fraud risk, and call centers into a successful career as a bank privacy officer and compliance leader? In this episode of Compliance Chronicles, Liisa Thomas sits down with Mike Smith, Privacy Officer at Wintrust and former HSBC leader, to unpack how he built a wide‑angle view of risk, regulation, and real‑world data use.
Mike shares how running a centralized privacy project pulled him into the field, why adding the CRCM and broader …