Gen AI Risk & Governance: Striking the Balance of Innovation with Responsibility

Allison Spagnolo is a senior managing director who has worked on numerous compliance-based engagements involving financial institutions, healthcare organizations and government contractors. This includes reviewing anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions (OFAC) issues for global banks and multi-national companies, as well as advising on financial crime compliance issues specific to cryptocurrency exchanges and Fintech companies. She has traveled extensively in Europe and Asia for the purpose of leading and conducting on-site inspections and reviews related to NYDFS and Federal Reserve monitorships, BSA/AML audits and other compliance matters.

Additionally, Ms. Spagnolo has extensive experience in developing risk reviews and assessments for public and private entities in a variety of contexts including leading a team responsible for developing risk assessment methodologies and scoring models for financial crime, transaction, and corruption-related risks. This experience includes identifying risk vulnerabilities and gaps, recommending enhancements to existing compliance frameworks, and implementing best practices. She is skilled at drafting, developing and operationalizing policies and procedures across a variety of industries. She also advises healthcare clients, including covered entities and business associates, regarding compliance with HIPAA/HITECH and other federal and state privacy, security, and incident response compliance requirements.

Ms. Spagnolo has led SOC2, HIPAA/HITECH and HITRUST readiness examinations and remediation efforts, in addition to providing HIPAA security rule risk assessments, registers and remediation plans. Ms. Spagnolo also serves as the Chief Privacy Officer for Guidepost Solutions, directing global internal privacy compliance efforts, including issues related to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). She also regularly advises clients on identifying and resolving privacy risks, including developing and strengthening privacy compliance programs, assessing vulnerabilities, evaluating data privacy policies, and enhancing procedures.

Avril Ussery Sisk NACD.DC currently serves on the Board of NextUp Solutions, a company focused on information technology, software engineering and workforce development. She is Immediate Past Chair, Arlington County (VA) Economic Development Commission (EDC) and chaired the EDC’s Workforce Taskforce, the Commission’s collaborative initiative to address workforce development, business recruitment and realignment, business climate and other economic development concerns. This initiative led to the creation of the Arlington Talent Pilot, a technology apprenticeship program which is currently expanding throughout Virginia. She also spearheaded Arlington County’s Framework for Prosperity 2.0- Equity Update providing a strategic framework for the county board’s equity resolution with emphasis on economic development. During her tenure, the National Landing area of Arlington County became the first “smart city” in the United States through a public private collaboration establishing new 5G digital infrastructure, drawing more technology companies to the area.

An attorney with more than 30 years of professional and community leadership, Avril’s portfolio combines governance and ethics expertise, employee relations and community engagement successes with excellent presentation and negotiation skills, as well as thought leadership regarding the transformation of work and the competition for talent. Her career includes a variety of leadership roles in public policy and state governments. Avril is recognized for her abilities in risk assessment, process improvement and ROI initiatives, innovations in large and mid-size government, business and nonprofit organizations, consulting experience in both Japan and the United States. She couples these with government and regulatory, business, public affairs and legislative experience.

A frequent speaker and panelist on these and related issues, Avril is a certified Leadership Professional in Ethics and Compliance (LPEC) through the Ethics and Compliance Certification Institute (ECCI). Formerly a North Carolina State Court judge and Ethics Counsel at the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), she is a graduate of the University of California Berkeley Law School and UCLA.

Janet Baker is Assistant General Counsel at S&P Global Inc. and is a certified Information Privacy Professional for both Europe and the United States (CIPP/E and US). In her role, she collaborates with cross-functional and cross-divisional team members and is responsible for legal negotiation and advice on complex commercial agreements and data protection matters impacting SPGMI products and services. As Executive Director, at The Links Incorporated, Janet developed and moderated a roundtable for an audience of approximately 12,000 at the National Press Club in collaboration with The White House and Business Roundtable. She also led legal operations as General Counsel of a privately held real estate development company. Janet received a Special Achievement Award from the United States Department of Justice. She began her career in private practice as Associate in the Corporate, Finance, and Securities Departments of both Dickstein Shapiro and Verner Liipfert (now DLA Piper). Janet is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, JD, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs of Syracuse University, MPA, and Williams College, BA. Janet won an African American Studies Fellowship to Syracuse University and spent her junior year abroad at Exeter College, University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom.

Earamichia Brown is Senior Corporate Counsel at Match Group.