Careers
Building Trust from the Ground Up
To Shannon – global director & associate general counsel for data protection & privacy, ethics & compliance – data protection for our clients, people and partners in more than one hundred countries is paramount.
September 15, 2023 3 Minute Read
Being recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the past 10 years signals that CBRE is a responsible and trusted leader in our industry.
CBRE handles data for our clients, partners and employees in more than one hundred countries—so protecting it is paramount.
In 2017, Shannon began building CBRE’s Global Data Privacy Office (GDPO) from the ground up—a year before Europe’s new data privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation, took effect. Since then, international data privacy laws continue to change alongside rapidly evolving technologies. Under Shannon’s leadership, the GDPO deftly adapts to that landscape.
In just five years, Shannon’s team of privacy experts and operation specialists has developed a best-in-class data protection and privacy program within CBRE’s Ethics & Compliance department. Creating a data protection methodology and framework that allows the company to comply with privacy obligations around the world was just the beginning. Building a company culture that prioritizes data privacy has been the GDPO’s true measure of success. Shannon explains, “By putting data privacy into daily practice, our people strengthen our brand by demonstrating CBRE’s commitment to being a trusted data steward.”
In 2022, CBRE received ISO/IEC 27701 certification, the leading internationally recognized assurance standard for global privacy compliance. The GDPO submitted over 500 pieces of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of our data privacy and protection framework and complied with all controls with zero non-conformities. “This certification helps us to remain globally competitive and assures our stakeholders of our compliance with stringent international standards.” CBRE is the first commercial real estate company to achieve this certification.
Whether maintaining client relationships or guiding effective teams, Shannon says it’s about trust. “Being recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the past 10 years signals to our people, communities, business partners and clients that CBRE is a responsible and trusted leader in our industry.”
Her own leadership philosophy hinges on that same understanding. “Empathy and active listening are the building blocks of team trust. When there’s space for everyone, regardless of their role, to share their unique perspective, the most creative and effective solutions emerge to benefit all.”
To learn more about how we’re realizing a sustainable future, download our Corporate Responsibility Report here.
In 2017, Shannon began building CBRE’s Global Data Privacy Office (GDPO) from the ground up—a year before Europe’s new data privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation, took effect. Since then, international data privacy laws continue to change alongside rapidly evolving technologies. Under Shannon’s leadership, the GDPO deftly adapts to that landscape.
In just five years, Shannon’s team of privacy experts and operation specialists has developed a best-in-class data protection and privacy program within CBRE’s Ethics & Compliance department. Creating a data protection methodology and framework that allows the company to comply with privacy obligations around the world was just the beginning. Building a company culture that prioritizes data privacy has been the GDPO’s true measure of success. Shannon explains, “By putting data privacy into daily practice, our people strengthen our brand by demonstrating CBRE’s commitment to being a trusted data steward.”
In 2022, CBRE received ISO/IEC 27701 certification, the leading internationally recognized assurance standard for global privacy compliance. The GDPO submitted over 500 pieces of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of our data privacy and protection framework and complied with all controls with zero non-conformities. “This certification helps us to remain globally competitive and assures our stakeholders of our compliance with stringent international standards.” CBRE is the first commercial real estate company to achieve this certification.
Whether maintaining client relationships or guiding effective teams, Shannon says it’s about trust. “Being recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the past 10 years signals to our people, communities, business partners and clients that CBRE is a responsible and trusted leader in our industry.”
Her own leadership philosophy hinges on that same understanding. “Empathy and active listening are the building blocks of team trust. When there’s space for everyone, regardless of their role, to share their unique perspective, the most creative and effective solutions emerge to benefit all.”
To learn more about how we’re realizing a sustainable future, download our Corporate Responsibility Report here.
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