Boston Summit 2026
Thank you, Boston!
The Boston edition of the Data Privacy for Health Summit took place at The Row Hotel at Assembly Row and brought together 120+ professionals from biotech, medtech, eHealth, CROs, and diagnostics to tackle key challenges around health data.
With 20+ expert speakers, the program explored evolving regulations, the rise of AI in healthcare, and practical approaches to managing sensitive data. Designed for actionable discussions and real-world use cases, this edition focused on Data Protection strategies in Life Sciences.
Venue & date
When
Thursday, 1 October 2026
Doors open 08:30 AM
Where
The Row Hotel at Assembly Row360 Foley StreetSomerville, MA 02145United StatesAssembly Row is in Somerville, just north of Boston - 15 minutes from downtown on the Orange Line (Assembly station).
Next event January 26, 2027, Brussels, Europe
Agenda 2026
MorningOctober 1, 2026
- 08:30 AM
Welcome Coffee
Ease in, reconnect, and set the tone for the day.
- 09:00 AM
Introduction
A short welcome to open the day and frame the conversations ahead.
- 09:10 AM
Duo Keynote - US Privacy Landscape for Clinical Research & Commercial Biotech
Navigating the fragmented US privacy framework across clinical research and commercial biotech activities. From state-level laws to contractual obligations, this session explores how organizations manage data across research, development, and commercialization phases. Speakers: Heather Carson, Michael Demo
- 09:45 AM
Fireside Chat - Consumer Health Data Laws: Enforcement, Litigation & the Post-HIPAA Reality
Decoding regulatory signals and enforcement priorities in the post-HIPAA era, from evolving cybersecurity requirements to stricter compliance expectations, and where Life Sciences companies are most exposed across studies, partnerships, and data use. Speakers: Trisha Singh, Caitlin Fennessy
- 10:20 AM
Break
Pause, recharge, and continue the conversation informally.
- 10:30 AM
Keynote - AI Governance: Setting the Rules before using the Tools
Governance cannot be an afterthought once the tools are already live. This keynote looks at how to define roles, guardrails, and accountability upfront, so AI adoption moves fast without outpacing oversight. Speakers: ShanShan Pa, Eden Brownell
- 11:00 AM
Duo Keynote - Unlocking Health Data's Potential: Real, Synthetic & Privacy in Between
Contrasting US and EU approaches to privacy-enhancing technologies, and what it means for global health innovation. Speakers: Jordan Collins, Nicholas Accomando
- 11:30 AM
Presentations - The Augmented DPO: Where AI Stops, Human Judgment Begins
AI is turning the DPO into a more strategic player. As tools automate routine tasks, the role shifts toward decision-making, oversight, and accountability. This session explores where automation delivers real value, and where human judgment remains irreplaceable. Speakers: Xavier Gobert, Hubert Stoop, Beatrice Botti
- 12:10 PM
Small Group Prep: Your Questions
A short guided moment to gather the questions and edge cases you want addressed in the afternoon working session.
- 12:30 PM
Lunch
Time to refuel and connect.
AfternoonOctober 1, 2026
- 01:30 PM
AI Governance & Privacy: Your Questions, Answered
An interactive working session built around the questions raised by the room: where does responsible AI use end, and where does unacceptable risk begin? Bring your questions, your edge cases, and your disagreements. Speakers: Eden Brownell, ShanShan Pa, Jordan Collins, Nicholas Accomando, Beatrice Botti, Maitreya Shah
- 02:30 PM
Panel Discussion - Cross-Border Data Transfers & Geopolitical Privacy Dynamics
Navigating international data flows in global trials, licensing, and research collaborations, amid growing geopolitical and regulatory tensions. Speakers: Edward Sheehan, Paula D. Buckley, Dondi West Sr., Shoshanna Clark
- 03:15 PM
Break
Pause, recharge, and continue the conversation informally.
- 03:30 PM
The Room Speaks First: What You Really Think About Trust & AI
A live pulse-check of the room before the closing panels: where the audience actually stands on trust, AI, and the use of health data.
- 03:45 PM
Panel Discussion - From Compliance to Trust: Privacy as a Competitive Advantage
How leading organizations are turning privacy into a business enabler, building trust with partners, regulators, and patients in a competitive market. Speakers: Kaouthar Lbiati, Daphna Patishi-Pryluk, KimberLee Heidmann, Jessica A. Vozella, Ron Zalkind
- 04:30 PM
Panel Discussion - AI in Healthcare: From Liability to Innovation
From training data to regulatory scrutiny, exploring how AI is transforming Life Sciences, and where responsibility lies when things go wrong. Speakers: Nechama Katan, Aaron K. Tantleff, Stephen O'Loughlin, Clarence J. Wang
- 05:30 PM
Networking Afterparty
Because the best conversations happen here.
Beatrice Botti
Chief Privacy Officer & Public Speaker
Nicholas Accomando
Global Head AI & Data Privacy Legal, Novartis
Daphna Patishi-Pryluk
Compliance Business Partner, Global Functions at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease
Kaouthar Lbiati, MD
Former CEO at Hepion Pharma & Board Director
Jordan Collins
General Manager, Privacy Analytics
Paula D. Buckley
VP, Clinical Operations, Trevi Therapeutics, Inc.
Aaron K. Tantleff
Partner, Foley
Michael Demo, MBA, PMP, PSM
Owner, Proctored
Jessica A. Vozella, Esq.
Executive Director, Head of Contracts & Corporate Counsel, Dyne Therapeutics
Dondi West, Sr.
Assistant General Counsel, Digital, Privacy & Cybersecurity, GSK
KimberLee Heidmann
Senior Vice President, Compliance, DPO, Scout
Trisha Singh, Esq., AIGP, CIPP/US
Co-Founder and Chief Legal Officer, Singh Advisory
Caitlin Fennessy
VP & Chief Knowledge Officer, IAPP
Heather Carson
Entity Director / Head of US, MyData-TRUST
Hubert Stoop
Chief Innovation Officer, MyData-TRUST
Edward Sheehan
UK Entity Director & DPO, MyData-TRUST
ShanShan Pa
Global Head of AI & Data Governance, GlobalLogic
Shoshanna Clark
VP, Ethics & Compliance, Kailera Therapeutics
Eden Brownell
Founder, EmpathAIze Labs
Nechama Katan
Founder, Wicked Problem Wizards
Stephen O’Loughlin
JD CCEP CHPC, Director, HealthEquity
Maitreya Shah
Technology Policy Director, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
Ron Zalkind
Founding General Partner, Lama Partners
Clarence J. Wang
VP Head of Data Sciences, Dyne Therapeutics
In collaboration with
What People Say?
Industry leaders share their insights on the future of health data privacy.
San Francisco Summit, 2025
As expectations around data privacy continue to evolve, gaining clarity on emerging requirements is more important than ever. The Data Privacy for Health Summit offered practical perspectives on upcoming trends and helped strengthen our approach to managing sensitive health and biotech data with confidence.
Kelly SmithFounder & CEO V2 ClinicalSan Francisco Summit, 2025
Through dynamic conversations and insightful panels, the Data Privacy for Health Summit brought together a wide range of perspectives from across the health and privacy landscape. The event offered a comprehensive view of the challenges ahead while creating meaningful space for exchange and collaboration.
Christine Von RaesfeldBoard Member, The Light CollectiveSan Francisco Summit, 2025
Health data plays a crucial role in advancing scientific discovery, personalized medicine, and public health. At the Data Privacy for Health Summit, discussions explored how legal frameworks and industry practices can achieve the right balance between safeguarding privacy and enabling responsible data use to support innovation.
Lothar DetermannPartner, Baker & McKenzie LLPSan Francisco Summit, 2025
Finding truly relevant discussions for the research sector can be challenging, which made the Data Privacy for Health Summit particularly valuable. Sessions such as the panel on real-world evidence provided forward-looking insights on how data can be responsibly leveraged to drive innovation and improve patient outcomes.
Rachel RalstonAssistant General Counsel (CA RIHC), Global Legal Pharma