AI & Automation: Changing Business Strategies and Law

Laura Weiss is the Vice President of Global Privacy at Prudential Financial, Inc., where she is responsible for the development and execution of the company’s privacy and data protection strategy and provides direction for its cross functional global program. Prior to her role at Prudential, Laura spent five years in the Privacy Office at American Express where, among other things, she ensured that privacy was embedded into American Express’ digital initiatives and partnerships. Before embarking on a career in Privacy, Laura practiced as a Corporate Restructuring attorney.

Laura holds the Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) credentials from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and most recently joined its Education Advisory Board. Laura received her B.A. from the George Washington University (magna cum laude) and her J.D. from the Cardozo School of Law (cum laude). Laura is a member of the New York State Bar Association.

“Michelle Gallardo’s remarkable gifts as an attorney have allowed her to successfully navigate the upper echelons of corporate America. While doing that, she has shown remarkable independence and principle, going out of her way to work with national and local organizations dedicated to promoting gender and racial equity,” said Lawrence Garcia of Garcia Law Group, whom Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan recently nominated as the city’s corporation counsel. Garcia has worked with Gallardo in various organizations for more than 25 years. Developing young attorneys and improving gender and ethnic diversity in the legal field is important to Gallardo, who has been a leader in the American and Hispanic bar associations. The American Bar Association appointed her to its Commission on Women in the Profession, which develops national strategies to help women succeed in their legal careers.

Previously assistant general counsel for Ford Motor Co., Gallardo now concentrates on contracting technology for auto infotainment systems, navigation systems, vehicle telematics and connectivity at Harman.

In the past two years, she has worked on legal issues related to a business unit’s selling online streaming content through a downloadable app and negotiated an agreement expected to generate $900 million a year.