Harriet Pearson is a globally-recognized compliance and thought leader in the fields of privacy and data protection. She is known for establishing leadership on complex issues that simultaneously supports business growth; builds trust; and affects industry practice and public policy. Current focus areas include cybersecurity, cloud computing and social media engagement.

Named by the company’s Chairman to IBM’s 300-member global leadership team since 2000, Harriet’s executive experience at Big Blue includes responsibility for public policy, legal, communications and HR initiatives. Outside of IBM she holds an adjunct appointment at Georgetown University and performs with a women’s a capella chorus in the DC area.

She serves on the Executive Committee of the Center for Information Policy Leadership; the Board of the International Association of Privacy Professionals; the CSIS Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency; and the Advisory Board of the Electronic Privacy Information Center.

In 2007 Harriet was recognized with the Vanguard Award, which is given annually by the IAPP to the single professional who exemplifies leadership and innovation in the field of privacy. IBM itself has been recognized as the top “Most Trusted for Privacy” business-to-business company in the U.S. and Canada several times by the TRUSTe/Ponemon independent survey of consumers.

Harriet is a practicing attorney and Certified Information Privacy Professional, and graduated with honors from Princeton University and the UCLA School of Law (Order of the Coif).

A first-generation American, she speaks Greek fluently. She lives with her family in the Washington, D.C. area.