CAREERS THAT COUNT: Women shaping compliance and data protection
The DPO Centre
46:27
In recognition of International Women’s Day 2026, this session celebrates the women making an impact in compliance and data protection. As regulatory expectations rise and organisations place greater value on trust, governance and accountability, compliance roles are becoming an integral part of business success.
Compliance careers are rarely linear. For many women, they are shaped by unexpected opportunities and career pivots. This discussion brings those stories to life, sharing how women have built meaningful careers in compliance, what they have learned along the journey, and why the profession continues to offer long-term, rewarding opportunities.
Join Pippa Scotcher, DPO, Liz Griffiths DPO, and Caroline Burgess, DPSO, from The DPO Centre, alongside guest panelists for an open and practical discussion. Together, they bring a mix of in-house, consultancy, and sector-wide experience. They will share their personal career journeys, including the successes, the challenges and turning points that shaped their paths.
You’ll learn:
- What can help women progress at different stages of their careers
- How varied backgrounds can shape success in compliance and data protection
- How to enter the profession today, including transferable skills and entry routes
- What day-to-day compliance roles look like
The session will close with an open Q&A, giving the audience the chance to ask questions and learn directly from the panel’s experiences. As we recognise the contribution women make across compliance and data protection, this is a great opportunity for anyone considering their next career step.
Speakers
Liz Griffiths
DPO at The DPO Centre
Liz was introduced to data protection while working within an NHS information governance team. What began with supporting DPIAs soon developed into a lead role for primary care compliance as the GDPR came into force. Now a CIPP/E-qualified DPO, Liz helps organisations demonstrate accountability and meet their data protection obligations. She combines a meticulous, analytical approach with a commitment to demystifying data protection for the teams she supports.
Caroline Burgess
Data Protection Support Officer at The DPO Centre
Caroline began her career managing sports facilities before moving into local government, where responsibilities in CCTV operations introduced her to data protection and compliance. What started as a practical need to understand the GDPR soon became a new career path. Now a Data Protection Support Officer, Caroline has deep expertise in DSAR management across both Public and Private sectors. She supports robust, end-to-end processes that meet the demands of today’s complex data environments.
Ruth Mittelmann Cohen
Head of Legal Compliance at VinciWorks
Ruth works with organisations to build compliance frameworks that are practical, defensible, and suited for the way legal teams operate. She has experience across international law firms, Fortune 500 companies, and other highly regulated environments, giving her a grounded perspective on regulatory change and implementation. Ruth is known for translating complex legal obligations into clear, workable approaches, with a strong focus on how compliance is evolving in practice.
Ito Onojeghuo
CEO at ALLNET Law
Ito is an expert in Internet Laws and works with global organisations to shape practical, multi-jurisdictional approaches to privacy, security, and compliance. She has deep experience designing governance frameworks, policies, and risk strategies that help organisations operate efficiently whilst meeting regulatory expectations. Alongside her advisory work, Ito delivers professional privacy training in high-stakes environments. Her recognition as a PICCASO Award Leadership and Excellence Winner underscores her outstanding commitment to embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion within Privacy, Security, and Compliance domains.
Mariëtte Krüger
Assistant General Counsel – Data Governance and Privacy at DLA Piper
Mariëtte brings a wealth of knowledge and commercial acumen to complex governance and cross-border regulatory challenges. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she leads global privacy strategy for an international law firm, advising on data protection across multiple jurisdictions. Her depth of experience across operational and enterprise risk places her at the forefront of modern privacy and governance practices.
Replays
See all
CAREERS THAT COUNT: Women shaping compliance and data protection
46:27