Privacy has become more than a regulatory concern, it is a fundamental pillar of trust between businesses and their customers. Mason Clutter, privacy lead at Frost Brown Todd (FBT) and former Chief Privacy Officer to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, shares her journey, leadership insights and practical advice on operationalizing privacy to achieve business goals.  Her story offers valuable lessons for organizations looking to comply with the law, achieve their goals, protect  their data and foster lasting trust with clients.

Early Foundations: Where Leadership Begins

Mason’s leadership journey began in a small town in Southwest Florida, where independence and problem-solving were woven into her upbringing. Encouraged to think critically and find practical solutions, Mason developed a natural inclination toward leadership from an early age.

She always wanted to become a lawyer, but it was her experiences and strong role models that solidified her path into the emerging field of privacy law. It’s a field that has gained prominence over the past two decades.

Pivotal Moments That Shaped a Leader

Throughout her career, Mason has navigated critical roles that have sharpened her leadership philosophy and technical expertise.

One transformative experience was her leadership of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, a small federal agency dedicated to overseeing counterterrorism activities. Managing a team while reporting to a board of presidentially appointed Senate-confirmed members taught Mason the value of balancing accountability with collaboration.

Later, as Chief Privacy Officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Mason advised top officials on how to meet their missions while preserving individual privacy rights. Managing a team of about 70 people across a vast and complex organization, she honed her ability to listen, adapt and build consensus in high-stakes environments.

These experiences underscored a guiding truth for Mason: Collaboration is not optional in privacy work: It is essential.

Collaboration at the Core of Privacy Practices

At Frost Brown Todd, Mason continues to emphasize collaboration as the cornerstone of effective privacy practices. She partners with colleagues across practice areas to ensure that privacy and security considerations are seamlessly integrated into technology transactions, vendor agreements and business operations.

By aligning privacy principles with broader business goals, Mason helps clients navigate the complexities of compliance without losing sight of innovation and growth. Her approach reflects a modern understanding of privacy. Privacy isn’t an obstacle, but an enabler of trust and long-term success.

Timeless Principles for a Modern Age

Central to Mason’s philosophy are the Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPs), a set of guidelines that have stood the test of time for more than 40 years.

These principles advocate for the responsible collection, use and retention of data. Businesses are encouraged to collect only necessary information, use it transparently, store it securely and delete it once it is no longer needed. These practices align closely with state laws, international standards like GDPR and industry-specific regulations.

By anchoring their strategies in these timeless principles, organizations can not only meet compliance requirements but also build enduring trust with their stakeholders.

Bridging Privacy and Security

Privacy and security are two sides of the same coin, and Mason stresses the importance of building both into products and services from the ground up.

Proactive measures like privacy-by-design and security-by-design reduce risks and costs over time. Regular reviews and adjustments ensure that evolving threats are identified and addressed before they can cause harm. In Mason’s view, safeguarding data is not a one-time exercise but rather a living, evolving commitment.

Practical Wisdom for a Privacy-First World

Mason offers simple yet powerful advice for both individuals and businesses:

• For individuals: Stay informed about the data you share, understand your rights under state privacy laws and make conscious choices about your digital footprint.
• For businesses: Embed privacy considerations into every phase of operations, from product development to vendor management. Transparency and accountability are critical for maintaining customer trust in a rapidly changing landscape.

A Path Forward

Mason Clutter’s journey reminds us that privacy is more than compliance, it is a mindset rooted in respect, responsibility and collaboration. Her experiences illustrate how thoughtful leadership and adherence to enduring principles can help organizations thrive in an era defined by information.

To hear more of Mason’s story and gain deeper insights into the future of privacy and security, watch the full interview above.

If you’re looking for top IT and cybersecurity talent to help protect your organization’s data and drive business success, contact us today.

Mason  Clutter is a partner in Frost Brown Todd LLP’s Washington, D.C. office and the former Chief Privacy Office to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Neither the information in this blog post nor the accompanying interview constitute legal advice.  Individuals and organizations should seek out counsel of their choosing for legal advice on privacy issues.