In this episode of Privacy in Practice, Kellie du Preez and Danie Strachan speak with Gabe Maldoff, a partner in Goodwin’s Data, Privacy, and Cybersecurity practice, about privacy in mergers and acquisitions. The conversation explores why investment rounds and acquisitions often become forcing factors for privacy maturity, especially for startups and fast-growth companies preparing for their next stage of growth. The discussion covers what sellers should prepare before due diligence, how privacy representations work in transaction documents, when disclosure is legally required versus strategically useful, and why the way a company explains its privacy posture can matter as much as any underlying issues. What this episode covers:
Why investment rounds and acquisitions can drive privacy maturity
How uncertainty around data practices creates deal friction
The difference between required legal disclosures and strategic disclosures
Why buyers often evaluate security incidents based on the quality of the response
Why AI representations and vendor diligence are becoming more important in deals
How data governance, privacy notices, and recordkeeping can support acquisition readiness
Three practical steps companies can take today to better position themselves as acquisition-ready
In this episode of Privacy in Practice, Kellie du Preez and Danie Strachan speak with Leah Camilla R. Besa-Jimenez, Group Head, Enterprise Risk Management at PLDT, about how she approaches privacy inside one of the largest Southeast Asian telecommunications companies. The discussion focuses on privacy as an operational practice and the importance of using risk matrices to structure decisions, coaching teams to exercise judgment, raising privacy issues early in project conversations, and shifting the company mindset from data ownership to data stewardship.
California continues to set the pace for U.S. privacy enforcement, and 2025 is proving to be a pivotal year. In this episode of Privacy in Practice, hosts Kellie du Preez and Danie Strachan sit down with Daniel Goldberg, Partner and Chair of the Data Strategy, Privacy, and Security Group at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz and 2025 California Privacy Lawyer of the Year, to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes of CCPA enforcement. In this episode, we discuss:
In this episode of Privacy in Practice, hosts Kellie du Preez and Danie Strachan sit down with Lisa Sotto, Chair of the Global Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice at Hunton Andrews Kurth, for a practitioner-level conversation on the full arc of a cyber incident, from first detection through board notification and the regulatory long tail that follows. You’ll learn:
Learn why organizations such as Cisco, Mastercard, and Alibaba have obtained certification, why the framework is gaining renewed attention among multinational organizations, and how it complements existing transfer mechanisms such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs). The conversation also explores how CBPR certification plays a role in procurement, regulatory cooperation, and the evolution of responsible data processing.
The gaming industry has surpassed Hollywood as one of the world’s largest entertainment sectors, projected to reach $500 billion by 2030. But with this explosive growth comes increasing regulatory scrutiny across every major market. In this episode of Privacy in Practice, hosts Kellie du Preez and Danie Strachan welcome Alex Roberts, Partner and Head of TMT in China at Linklaters, for an in-depth conversation about privacy and data protection compliance in the global gaming industry.
What really happens when a regulator investigates your organization? And more importantly, what can you do to stay off their radar while building a sustainable privacy program? In this episode of Privacy in Practice, hosts Kellie du Preez and Danie Strachan welcome Helen Dixon, Ireland’s former Data Protection Commissioner, for a candid conversation about privacy compliance from the regulator’s perspective. With over ten years leading one of Europe’s most influential data protection authorities—overseeing landmark cases including Schrems litigation and levying over €3 billion in GDPR fines against tech giants—Helen brings unparalleled insights into what regulators actually look for in privacy programs. What You’ll Learn:
In this episode of Privacy in Practice, hosts Kellie du Preez and Danie Strachan welcome Monisha Varadan, EMEA Privacy Lead at Google, for an in-depth exploration of how PETs work in practice and why they matter more than ever in the age of AI. What You’ll Learn:
In our latest episode of Privacy in Practice, Aarthi joins Kellie du Preez and Danie Strachan to discuss what it takes to run privacy-smart, globally dispersed clinical research without slowing innovation. You’ll discover:
In this episode of Privacy in Practice, we speak with Jim Schneider, Senior Director of Compliance and Data Privacy at Immunome, about navigating the complex privacy challenges of clinical trials.
In this episode of Privacy in Practice, Sean Milford, Global Head of Data Privacy at Syndigo, shares a playbook for turning privacy theory into operational results. If you’re managing privacy across teams, tools, and time zones, this episode is a masterclass in making it work.
In this episode of Privacy in Practice, Shane Witnov, AI Policy Director at Meta, provides a behind-the-scenes look at how the company navigates the complex intersection of AI innovation and privacy.
In this episode of Privacy in Practice, hosts Kellie du Preez and Danie Strachan sit down with Dr. Sachiko Scheuing, European Privacy and AI Governance Officer at Acxiom. Sachiko reveals how smart businesses are turning privacy compliance into a growth strategy.
In the latest episode of Privacy in Practice, hosts Kellie du Preez and Danie Strachan welcome Kristen Mathews, Partner at Cooley’s Cyber Data Privacy Practice Group to explore the evolving landscape of mental privacy—its challenges, opportunities, and the critical questions shaping its future. Together we:
In this episode of Privacy in Practice, we sit down with Peter Jaffe, VP & Sr. Associate General Counsel for Privacy, Technology, Facilities & Operations at National Geographic Society, to explore the critical intersection of privacy law and technology. Peter shares invaluable insights on building privacy programs that work, from finding internal allies and managing stakeholder relationships to navigating the technical aspects of privacy compliance. Together we:
Episode 1: Beyond the Checkbox: Practical Privacy Strategies for Real-World Compliance
In this inaugural episode of Privacy in Practice, hosts Kellie du Preez and Danie Strachan introduce VeraSafe’s new podcast focused on making privacy compliance practical and accessible. Together, they:
Danie Strachan is a privacy professional who began his career in South African legal practice, where he developed deep experience in data protection law during the implementation of South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). As a senior privacy counsel at VeraSafe, he specializes in helping organizations understand and implement privacy requirements across multiple jurisdictions, including the EU. Danie brings valuable insight into the evolution of privacy regulations and practical approaches to compliance.
Kellie du Preez, CIPP/E Partner
Kellie du Preez is a privacy compliance leader and former litigation attorney who transitioned from defending banks in Boston to focusing on global privacy compliance. With experience as both an IP litigator and privacy professional, she brings a unique perspective on balancing practical business needs with regulatory requirements. As a Data Protection Officer and privacy consultant at VeraSafe, Kellie helps organizations navigate complex privacy challenges with a focus on creating workable, cost-effective solutions.
