Elizabeth O'Callahan, vice president and chief privacy officer of NetAppWomen, Influence & Power in Law 2019: Elizabeth O'Callahan
Our 2019 special report honors women who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the empowerment of women in law.
December 02, 2019 at 01:00 AM
3 minute read
Name: Elizabeth O'Callahan
Category: In-House: Innovative Leadership
Firm/Company: NetApp
Title: Vice President and Chief Privacy Officer
Time in Position: Since 2013
What was your route to the top?
What was your route to the top? I am currently vice president, legal and chief privacy officer at NetApp, a Fortune 500 technology company, responsible for overseeing legal matters related to corporate and securities/M&A, intellectual property, data privacy, compliance, executive compensation and employment. I started my career in litigation in Silicon Valley before moving into corporate [and] securities law at a tech-focused law firm. From there, I moved to senior in-house corporate counsel roles before joining NetApp. I am the past recipient of professional awards including The Silicon Valley Business Journal's Women of Influence, The Recorder's Women Leaders in Tech Law, Inside Counsel's Poised for Prominence and the YWCA's Tribute to Women & Industry.
What keeps you up at night? "Is there anything that we aren't seeing?" "What do we not know?" "What else could we be doing to enable the business?" "What have I done for them lately?" are just a few.
What is the best leadership advice you've given or received, and why do you think it was effective?
I won't pretend that I have given good leadership advice, but I have certainly received plenty along the way. The best advice was advice to focus on my team, to hire the best people possible and get out of their way. I may be decently effective as an individual, but I am exponentially more effective and able to achieve outstanding results because I have a great team. They are everything.
Looking back, what do you wish you had known when you started out in the legal profession?
If I actually knew what I wish I had known, I would have made different choices and I would not be where I am today. And I am happy where I am today, and where I am going, so I don't have regrets about my ignorance at the outset.
What is the most valuable career advice anyone has ever given you?
I was a summer associate at a great litigation firm, the same firm where I started my career. It was my first day on the job, and Joe Cotchett, the senior partner of the firm, told me something I think about every day: "Whatever you do, make a decision." A bad decision is far better than no decision, so follow your gut.
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