Dyann Heward-Mills studied Computer and Communications Law and is now Chief Executive Officer at HewardMills leading a global team of multidisciplinary and multilingual data practitioners. She shares her profile on International Women’s Day.
I am Chief Executive Officer at HewardMills leading a global team of multidisciplinary and multilingual data practitioners. We act and advise as an external data protection officer (DPO) to organisations around the world with complex data issues who want to do the right thing by their employees, customers and other stakeholders. As part of our duties as an external DPO, we are involved in interfacing with regulators on cybersecurity breaches, customer complaints, as well as supporting clients in obtaining high standards and privacy certifications such as Binding Corporate Rules. I am also an ethics advisor for the European Commission providing data protection input in research projects.
Studying at CCLS was my first experience of diving deep into global data protection legislation to understand where the rules come from and how they might develop in the future. I was able to explore these concepts with world-leading practitioners such as Professors Ian Walden, Christopher Millard and Anne Flanagan.
I remember interacting and sharing ideas with individuals from different jurisdictions. It was a real melting pot of cultures, languages and nationalities. I formed strong friendships with individuals whom I am still in touch with today. I remember lovely dinners and discussions over drinks – in the days when that was possible.
Build upon a subject you are passionate about; perhaps something from your undergraduate studies that you wished you could have spent more time researching. As I was interested in looking into human rights, technology and innovation, doing a Masters specialising in data protection and privacy was perfect for me.
Be brave. Be bold. Be humble and learn from your mistakes. I’ve also benefited from having amazing mentors over the years (both male and female) and strongly recommend it to everyone. Pick those that not only reflect your career aspirations but also offer diversity of thought and background. Keep pursuing your dreams and get support as necessary. Know you are good enough and needed in your chosen fields. Finally, I firmly believe that as each of us achieve success, it’s our responsibility to reach back and pull others up.
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