Derek M. Schmieder
Director & Senior Counsel | Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Regulatory Compliance | Trusted Legal Advisor, Incident Response & Risk Governance Leader
- Role
- Director & Senior Counsel - Cybersecurity, Data Protection, & Technology at Discover
- Location
- Highland Park, IL, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Derek M. Schmieder
I thrive at the intersection of law, technology, and risk, where clarity, collaboration, and calm decision-making matter most. I’ve built my career helping organizations navigate complex cybersecurity, data protection, and regulatory challenges with strategic foresight and practical execution. • Cybersecurity & Incident Response: I lead legal strategy for Discover’s enterprise-wide incident response program, guiding executives and senior leadership through high-pressure security events, investigations, and regulatory disclosures. • M&A Integration Legal Leadership: During the Capital One–Discover merger, I served as Legal Integration Lead for all technology workstreams, aligning data, regulatory, and antitrust objectives across both companies. • Regulatory Compliance & Strategy: I’ve designed and executed enterprise-wide regulatory engagement frameworks, strengthened governance processes, and maintained trusted relationships with prudential regulators. • Data Privacy & Governance: I help teams translate complex privacy and security laws into actionable frameworks that balance innovation with compliance and protect enterprise integrity. • Cross-Functional Leadership: I’m often brought into initiatives beyond my core remit because I bring clarity to ambiguity, positive energy to collaboration, and a steady mindset to high-stakes decision-making. I’m passionate about advancing secure innovation and building resilient organizations that treat compliance not as a checkbox, but as a strategic advantage. I enjoy connecting with others who share an interest in data protection, AI governance, and the evolving role of cybersecurity law in shaping the future of business.
Experience
Director & Senior Counsel - Cybersecurity, Data Protection, & Technology
May 2021 — Present
Education
Saint Louis University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing / Finance
1998 — 2002
University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
Doctor of Law (J.D.)
2006 — 2009
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