Osano's Own Women in Privacy: Rachael Ormiston

Wednesday Women’s Women in Privacy Series introduced the B2B world to dozens of incredible women protecting our personal and sensitive data inside organizations and advocating for consumer privacy rights. There are so many women leading the way in privacy: At Osano, they are legion. We are proud to say that women make up nearly 40 percent of Osano’s workforce. And the women who work hands-on as part of our privacy team, and who advise our customers on getting the best privacy protection from Osano, are some of the best in the business.

In this three-part article series leading up to our Women in Privacy Meetup on February 12, meet some of our Women in Privacy. Then join the meetup to get to know them better.

We kick off our series with our Chief Privacy Officer, Rachael Ormiston.

As our Chief Privacy Officer, Rachael Ormiston is the face of Privacy at Osano and the brain behind our own privacy and compliance practices here. She ensures that we have policies that protect our customers’ data and that we are up-to-date on our regulatory requirements as they constantly shift beneath us.

But at Osano, Privacy isn’t just Privacy. It’s our business and our mission. Rachael and her team are the Privacy Pros you ask for answers and guidance. She understands our customers’ needs because she is the customer. And she is invaluable to our teams as she ensures that we are sharing the right privacy information on the right issues at the right time. She is also a joy to work with and we (and the pups in her life) are privileged to know her. Below, she answers our Very Important Questions to tell us what makes her tick.

How did you get into privacy? 

I’ve always been drawn to social and policy issues but, growing up in Europe, with grandparents who spoke of their experiences during World War II, I never considered “privacy” as a standalone concept. The idea of preserving information and preventing harm was engrained in our lives. I knew that there were certain things we did not discuss outside the home (religion, politics) and that if someone did share that information with me, it was important to respect their confidentiality.

After studying law, I worked for various children's and women's rights NGOs in West Africa and southeast Asia. Privacy was again not a distinct topic – it was a matter of life or death. Personal information could reveal the identities of witnesses or vulnerable individuals reporting human rights issues.

It was when I moved into law practice that I began to understand privacy as a “concept,” present in employment cases and corporate investigations that I worked on. And after I moved to the US, and began working in tech roles, I really saw privacy differently. What was a basic right in Europe was not something I could take for granted in the States. Seeing how data is handled on both sides of the pond, in vastly different ways, I became deeply passionate about taking steps to protect the humans behind the data.

What inspires you most?

• Making positive change.
• Connecting with people on a one-to-one level and getting to know them better.

What would you do for a living if you weren’t doing this?

An illustrator for children’s books or a children’s book editor.

What do you wish more people knew about data privacy?

Privacy isn’t about being restrictive; it’s about choice. It’s about individuals choosing what to share and when to share it.

What career advice would you give to other women?

Surround yourself with two types of people:

• People who tell you what you need to know, and not just what you want to hear.
• People who have unwavering belief in you and will hype you up when you need it.

When I’m not managing privacy, I...

• Romanticize the rainy days of life in the Pacific Northwest by reading beside the fire with a cup of tea.
• Spend time on long hikes with friends and our dogs, usually ending up at a favorite coffee spot.
• Travel with my husband, thankful that he will patiently allow me to explore all the bookshops we encounter.

When I started my career, I wish I knew...

That being empathetic is not a weakness – it's a superpower.

A typical day for me at Osano includes...

There are no typical days! Sometimes I will be speaking on a webinar, writing an article on a privacy topic, or planning a privacy event with our marketing team. Other days, I’ll be reviewing policies, completing PIAs, or doing vendor reviews. Other times I’m working with the sales team to support a deal or ideating with our product group. Being the Privacy Pro means getting exposure to all types of issues and all teams – I love it!

I joined Osano because...

I wanted to see privacy from a new angle and, as I met with the Team (including our CEO Arlo Gilbert and CRO Dustin Joost), I saw their desire to succeed by living our B-Corp values. It was inspiring and made me feel confident that we could truly make an impact.

My favorite thing about working at Osano is...

The people. It’s a cliche, but I truly enjoy working and hanging out with my colleagues. Meeting up at company events is like catching up with old friends. These relationships really help us collaborate thoughtfully and act quickly. We can brainstorm without fear of judgement, try new things, and learn from each other. I’m also grateful I get to work at a company that allows me to present privacy training with a theme!

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

I am a “hyper polyglot” who speaks multiple languages. I even submitted a 20,000-word dissertation in French as part of a graduate degree from a French law school!

I am also in the “pupparazzi” and write profiles for shelter dogs needing to be re-homed.

Join our Women in Privacy Meetup

Come hang out with both Rachael and our Senior Privacy Program Manager, Ashley Fowler when they host our Women in Privacy Meetup this week: Sex, Lies, and AI: Dating Apps and Privacy

Wednesday, February 12, 1-2 pm EST

Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon. Hope to see you there!