Blair Ward

Senior Counsel @Press Ganey Forsta

Chicago, IL, US

Lead team of contracts specialists and legal assistants supporting enterprise-wide commercial operations and privacy compliance • Developed AI compliance framework for proprietary machine learning models conducting sentiment analysis, adapting legacy practices to evolving regulatory landscape; drafted contractual provisions addressing AI-specific risks including model training, data usage rights, and algorithmic transparency • Provide privacy counsel supporting international operations across HIPAA, HITECH, GDPR, and CCPA; review and negotiate Data Processing Agreements and Business Associate Agreements ensuring regulatory compliance for cross-border data flows • Conducted privacy due diligence for multiple acquisitions, identifying data security gaps, negotiating remediation terms, and leading post-merger integration of privacy controls and vendor compliance • Conduct Data Privacy Impact Assessments, Records of Processing Activities, and Legitimate Interest Assessments with stakeholders to document data flows, assess risks, and establish compliance controls • Negotiate high-value SaaS agreements and technology vendor contracts, balancing business objectives with privacy, security, and IP protection • Manage outside counsel on M&A due diligence, coordinating work streams and reviewing findings to support integration decisions • Draft and negotiate sales and procurement agreements for B2B services, including data processing terms, licensing provisions, and liability allocations • Drive compliance with communication regulations (TCPA, TSR, CAN-SPAM) across marketing and customer engagement • Lead RFP responses requiring detailed privacy and security documentation • Manage subcontractor compliance programs ensuring vendor adherence to obligations • Oversee international brand licensing protecting company IP

Salmon P. Chase College of Law @ Northern Kentucky University

Juris Doctor (J.D.), Law

St. Xavier High School

High School

Bucknell University

Bachelor’s Degree, Economics, Legal Studies