Meet Eija Warma, CIPP/E
Helsinki, Finland KnowledgeNet Chair
Volunteer Spotlight
Want to learn more? Here’s how you can get involved!
Why do you volunteer with the IAPP?
It is fun way to get to know people in the privacy community near and far.
Why did you choose this particular board/position?
I have been active with IAPP for several years. I have been a member of the Publication Advisory Board, the European Advisory Board and currently I am acting as a KnowledgeNet Chair in Helsinki.
Each position has been very interesting but at the same time very different from others. As a KnowledgeNet Chair the most rewarding thing is to make sure that local privacy community meet on a regular basis to discuss and share knowledge.
Describe the most rewarding part of your volunteer experience.
As a member of the European Advisory Board it has been amazing to see and be part of building a conference program together and see how everything eventually works well at the actual conference.
But I have to say that the most rewarding part is to see the local privacy community growing here in Helsinki!
What would you be doing if you didn’t work in the privacy field?
If I wasn’t a lawyer I would be a doctor.
What advice would you give to students or recent graduates considering a career in privacy?
Lots of different positions where privacy experts are needed. I think a combination of legal, technical and business understanding and skills is a perfect match – so despite of your major improve other areas as well!
If you’ve been to or participated in an IAPP Conference, what is your most memorable moment?
First time is always very memorable – for me it was a very first IAPP European Conference in Paris 2010. At the time privacy community seemed to be like a big family and you basically knew everyone. Today the number of participants is something totally different.
Another, more recent memory has to be mentioned here - it was this year 2014 in Brussels when “Team Finland” gathered together for a group picture at the privacy party – more than 30 delegates participated the conference which is a great number for a small country like Finland. It has been amazing to see the change from Paris to Brussels!
What was your favorite college class?
History and music classes were my absolutely favorites.
What is your favorite outdoor activity or sport?
Outdoors skiing in different formats in winter time and jogging when there is not too much snow.
If you could live in any city in the world, which one would you pick?
Well this is easy - it is of course the big love of my life – New York! I want to wake up in that city that never sleeps….