Kirsten Van der Zwan

Chief Privacy Officer and Global Head of Privacy, AI & Digital Compliance Signify

Kirsten is Chief Privacy Officer and Global Head of Privacy, AI and Digital Compliance at Signify, where she leads the design and implementation of the global AI compliance framework while ensuring AI governance is in place. She is a qualified lawyer and member of the Dutch Bar since 2000, she brings over two decades of legal and regulatory expertise into the practical execution of AI, data and digital risk frameworks at scale. Kirsten’s work focuses on translating regulatory requirements into operational, auditable, and business-aligned governance models. She drives the integration of AI oversight with enterprise risk, enabling accountable ownership, measurable outcomes, and sustainable adoption of AI across global businesses. Prior to joining Signify, Kirsten held the role of Global AI Governance Legal Lead at Shell, as part of its enterprise-wide AI Governance, Risk and Compliance program. At Shell, she also served as General Counsel and local deputy Data Protection Officer for the European e-mobility business between 2008 and 2022. In this role she gained hands-on experience in implementing compliance frameworks in fast-scaling, technology-driven environments in an evolving regulatory ecosystem. Since 2016, Kirsten has been a member of the editorial staff for a Dutch jurisprudence journal focused on data protection. Kirsten serves as AIPP advisory board member for the Training Advisory Board on AI Governance. In addition, she actively contributes to various European knowledge-sharing, policy and advocacy groups in the fields of data, digital regulations and privacy.