IAPP announces new board of directors and executive committee members for 2026

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – FEBRUARY 03, 2026 – The IAPP, the world's largest and most comprehensive association of privacy, AI governance, and digital responsibility professionals, today announced the addition of three new directors to its board for 2026: including Stephan Geering, Compliance, Trustworthy AI and Privacy Officer at Anthology; Brian Hengesbaugh, Global Chair of Baker McKenzie’s Data & Cyber Practice; and Jessica Lee, Associate General Counsel and Head of Privacy Legal at OpenAI. Workday’s Vice President and Chief Privacy and Digital Trust Officer Barbara Cosgrove has been elected chair.

"The 2026 Board of Directors brings together a remarkable range of perspectives and deep expertise across privacy, AI governance, cybersecurity law and digital responsibility," said IAPP President and CEO J. Trevor Hughes, CIPP. "As our field continues to evolve alongside the broader digital landscape, their collective insight will be instrumental in shaping the professions we represent and supporting the IAPP’s continued growth."

Stephan Geering is Anthology's Compliance, Trustworthy AI and Privacy Officer. Stephan is responsible for data privacy compliance globally and leads Anthology's Data Privacy and Trustworthy AI Programs. He previously worked as Citigroup's EMEA & APAC Chief Privacy Officer and as Deputy Data Protection Commissioner of one of the Swiss regional data protection authorities.

Brian Hengesbaugh is Global Chair of Baker McKenzie's Data & Cyber Practice, where he advises on global data privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, ad tech/social media, and other data-related legal and regulatory issues. He previously worked as special counsel to the general counsel of the US Department of Commerce, where he played a key role in the development and implementation of the US Government's domestic and international policy in privacy and electronic commerce.

Jessica Lee is Associate General Counsel and Head of Privacy Legal at OpenAI, where she leads the global privacy legal team and advises the company on privacy and data protection as it advances its mission of building safe and beneficial AGI for everyone. Prior to joining OpenAI, she spent nearly 10 years at Google, including as a leader on Google's privacy legal team, managing a team of privacy lawyers, counseling the company on global data protection compliance and product development, and presenting to regulatory authorities.

Additionally, the IAPP welcomes its newly elected executive committee for 2026, including:

• Chair: Barbara Cosgrove, Vice President, Chief Privacy and Digital Trust Officer; Workday
• Vice Chair: Christina Montgomery, Chief Privacy and Trust Officer, Assistant General Counsel; General Motors
• Past Chair: Caroline Louveaux, Chief Privacy, AI and Data Responsibility Officer; Mastercard
• Treasurer: Lara Liss, Chief Privacy and Data Trust Officer; GE HealthCare
• Secretary: Monika Tomczak-Gorlikowska, Global Head of Privacy, Digital & AI Governance; Prosus Group

"As technology and regulation continue to reshape the digital environment, the need for skilled digital responsibility professionals has never been greater. I’m honored to contribute my experience alongside such respected colleagues to help guide the IAPP’s continued leadership in this evolving field," Cosgrove said.

The IAPP would like to thank outgoing board members Faith Myers and Julie Brill for their years of dedication to supporting the IAPP and its members.

About the IAPP  

The IAPP is the professional home for privacy, AI governance and digital responsibility globally. We are a resource and gathering place for professionals who work at the intersections of data, technology, and humanity. We provide members with the tools, resources, training, credentials and networking needed to thrive in today's digital economy.