Shaundra Watson – Senior Director, Policy
Born and raised in the Sunshine State – a proud Floridian. Currently living and working in Washington, DC.
I initially joined BSA in 2017 and led global privacy and AI policy initiatives for nearly two years.
I returned in 2022 to continue driving BSA’s global AI policy work forward.
I have wide-ranging legal experience in both the public and private sectors, with a focus on AI, privacy, data security, and consumer protection across the emerging technologies landscape. I worked at the Federal Trade Commission for over a decade, where I served as an Attorney-Advisor to two Commissioners, including the Chair, a Counsel in the Office of International Affairs, and an attorney in the privacy and marketing practices divisions. In the private sector, I worked for Hogan & Hartson (now Hogan Lovells) and as an in-house senior privacy counsel at a Fortune 500 company. I am a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and had the honor of clerking for the first African-American woman Justice on the Florida Supreme Court.
What/who inspired you to pursue the career you have today?
My mom. She loved to travel and traipsed us around the world when we were growing up on trips that were not simply vacations, but educational opportunities. As a history teacher, she required us to keep journals about everything we learned, so when these subjects came up in our classrooms, we not only knew them already, but we could also recount our own experiences engaging with places of cultural and historical significance. As a result, I sought to work on projects with an international dimension, which has been an integral part of all my professional roles.
What attracted you to work at BSA?
I previously worked on privacy and international data transfer issues, including the enforcement of the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework, the negotiation of the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, and the implementation of the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules. When I saw the BSA position, focused on international privacy and data-driven technologies, I thought it was a perfect fit. It provided an opportunity for me to leverage my expertise in privacy, cross-border data transfers, and international experience, and deepen my understanding of these issues, as well as others, from the perspective of leading companies powering data-driven software-enabled innovation.
What’s the most helpful thing you’ve learned working at BSA?
Adapting communication styles for the target audience. We interact with a wide range of stakeholders, from technical experts fluent in advanced computing and AI training to stakeholders at the initial stages of understanding the impact of emerging technologies. We sit in the middle of this spectrum. We have to understand the technology and the legal requirements and be able to both translate complex concepts into high-level, plain English explanations and dive into the technical details. A key part of our effectiveness is mastering both ends of the spectrum and understanding where we should land on it for each interaction.
Tell us one fun fact about you (that might surprise your colleagues).
I was selected to go on a world tour as a background dancer with a popular music group. It was a bit of a stretch, even for me, so I turned down the opportunity and resumed everyday life on a college campus, trading in dress rehearsals before an upcoming performance in Japan for deposition prep.
What’s the most meaningful piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Well, the advice wasn’t shared with me directly, but the incomparable “Godmother of Soul” Patti LaBelle wrote in her book, “Don’t dim your own light.” In life, you will experience setbacks from external sources that put stumbling blocks in your way, but you shouldn’t get in your own way. When you see an open door, walk through it. As the country singer Lee Ann Womack sang, if you have the choice to sit it out or dance, dance.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Dulce de leche. Hands down.
What’s one thing on your bucket list?
I’d like to attend a few major sporting events – the Super Bowl (inspired by my nephews), the French Open (inspired by my dad, Serena, and Venus), and the Olympics (inspired by Simone Biles), go to the Oscars, and visit Egypt and the South Pacific (Bali or French Polynesia).
Although I’ve met several of my favorite people (Judith Jamison, Debbie Allen, Michelle Obama, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Patti LaBelle, and Denzel), I think my #1 bucket list item would be to meet more of my sheroes: Shonda Rhimes, Issa Rae, Oprah, Angela Bassett, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, and gospel legend CeCe Winans.
Favorite book?
I’m not sure I have one favorite book, but I liked literary classics (e.g., “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou) when I was growing up.
Recently, I read Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime,” which was notable for two reasons. First, it was hilarious because of the colorful account of incredulous but nevertheless true childhood stories. Second, and more importantly, it was fascinating because of the way South Africa’s socio-cultural influences were interwoven throughout all of his experiences, and how his multi-ethnic, multilingual background helped him cross historic divides in unconventional ways.
When was the last time you completely unplugged?
Hawaii in 2019 – a truly sacred place. My heart goes out to the communities there trying to rebuild.
My all-time favorite unplugged moment was the 72 hours I spent in Greece about ten years ago, where I literally stared at the Aegean Sea, feasting on fresh Greek salads for 10 hours each day and doing… absolutely nothing.
How do you unwind after work?
I don’t. I am always ticking. That’s the problem! If you have any wind-down tips, please send them my way.