Dr. Karen Lively

AI governance and risk strategy leader with 20+ years defining how organizations scale AI, data, and cloud platforms in regulated environments. I establish governance frameworks, risk posture, and decision structures that enable responsible adoption at enterprise scale. I align engineering, legal, and executive leadership on how AI and data are used in practice, turning risk, technical constraints, and regulatory requirements into clear, actionable decisions.

My work focuses on building governance models that hold at scale and guide consistent decision-making across complex organizations.

Background spans cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy, supported by CISSP, CIPM, and PMP credentials.

Recently was a Privacy Operations Lead for a mixed-hybrid team of 15 within Microsoft Security, responsible for strategy, governance, and operational implementation of privacy and responsible AI compliance of 1400+ products and services. Well-versed in contract management and program management. Extensive cybersecurity experience while in the US Air Force and as a US Government contractor.

Previously held several roles in the intelligence community that heavily relied on the ability to analyze large data sets, asses threat and risk to high priority intelligence mission needs, while swiftly and accurately conveying analysis through formal/informal reporting and briefings.

Doctor in Business Administration (DrBA) – Capella University

M.S. in Information Technology, minor: Information Assurance and Security – Capella University

B.A. in Religion – American Military University