Meet Janet Guevara: Guiding the next generation of privacy professionals

A career in privacy management has never been more relevant and rewarding. Whether you’re looking to expand your skill set or explore new career opportunities, learning the fundamentals of privacy management will open doors for success.

Janet Guevara is an instructor in the Privacy Management program at McMaster Continuing Education. As a certified privacy professional with nearly 20 years of experience in access and privacy, she is a recognized expert in health privacy law, health research, digital technologies, risk management and data governance. Janet’s experience spans both the public and private sectors, providing strategic leadership and guidance on assessing and developing privacy programs. As a collaborative leader, she is passionate about providing both strategic and practical guidance to leaders on understanding privacy risks. Janet has also been a longstanding member of a research ethics board in healthcare with a specialized role of providing privacy guidance on best practice standards in health research. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Political Science.

What made you want to become an instructor with McMaster Continuing Education?

I wanted to become an instructor because I feel it is important to grow the privacy professional community.  I am passionate about educating others about how to develop and implement effective privacy programs. I believe that my unique background and expertise in Canadian privacy laws, spanning both the public and private sectors, can benefit learners in understanding the privacy requirements in various industries. I enjoy connecting with learners who are interested in expanding their knowledge and expertise in privacy and have a strong desire to continue leading the industry.

What are the courses you teach and what are they about?

I teach the Foundations of Privacy and the Privacy Program Development courses. I think Foundations of Privacy is a foundational course to take for understanding and learning about the regulatory requirements in Canadian privacy laws. In today’s increasingly digital world and the evolving use of AI technologies, developing privacy protective measures to support the flow of information is critical to the success of many organizations. This course will help to demonstrate an individual’s understanding of how to apply their theoretical knowledge in a real-life setting.

Who would benefit from taking this program?

Individuals from various roles would benefit from taking this program, including clinicians, administrators, government and policy advisors, healthcare risk managers, and information privacy and security officers. This program provides a foundational understanding that you will need to understand the challenging area of privacy law.

What will students learn from taking the Privacy Management program at McMaster Continuing Education?

Students will learn the foundations of confidentiality, privacy and security through an examination of privacy principles, information and data governance in Canada. This program provides a practical approach to operationalizing privacy practices in day-to-day operations.

Do you have any advice or tips for students?

It’s essential to continue learning and stay informed about the evolving regulatory landscape in privacy laws across Canada. It’s an exciting time to learn, as digital technologies continue to develop and the demand for privacy professionals grows.

­­­Learn more about the McMaster Continuing Education Privacy Management program and courses.