Managing Partner, Ceiba Law.

Vanessa Henri specializes in data governance and cybersecurity. She supports organizations in the deployment of AI systems, conducts cross-functional impact assessments, and negotiates transactions within the tech sector. With several years of in-house experience, Vanessa is a skilled negotiator who collaborates with technologists to deliver comprehensive legal services. She has significant expertise in creating data models for contractual relationships and implementing IP protection at the data level.

Vanessa also advises critical infrastructure clients and provides coaching to CISOs and other executives, helping them safeguard their personal liability and effectively engage with boards of directors. She is certified as a Senior Lead Implementor under ISO 27701:2019 and as a Data Protection Officer, with a proven track record of implementing compliance systems in organizations of all sizes.


Education.
  • McGill University School of Continuing Studies
    Understanding Patents - Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, Intellectual Property Law, 2020
  • HEDAC Haute Ecole des Avocats Conseils des Barreaux du ressort de la Cour d'appel de Versailles
    Déontologie - Droit français, Law, 2019
  • McGill University
    Master of Laws (LL.M.), Law, 2013 - 2014
  • UQAM | Université du Québec à Montréal
    Bachelor's degree, Law, 2010 - 2013
Certifications & Licences.
  • Introduction to Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR)
    LinkedIn, Issued: April 2024
  • CCSP Cert Prep: 1 Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design
    LinkedIn, Issued: February 2024
  • AI Governance Training
    IAPP - International Association of Privacy Professionals, Issued: April 2023
  • Introduction to Responsible AI Algorithm Design
    LinkedIn, Issued: August 2021
  • Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity
    LinkedIn, Issued: May 2021
  • ISO 27701 Senior Lead Implementer
    PECB, Issued: May 2020
  • Certified Data Protection Officer
    PECB, Issued: January 2019


Professional Associations.
Quebec Bar Association, Member · January 2018 - Present


Areas of Expertise.
  • Cybersecurity Law
  • Data Privacy
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Data Governance
  • Information Security Management
  • Privacy Protection


Skill-Sets.
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Legal Opinions
  • Corporate Governance
  • Public Speaking
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Information Security Awareness


Awards and Recognition.

  • Top 40 under 40
    Top Cyber News Magazine
    Issued: March 2024
  • Ones to Watch - Security
    IFSEC Global Influencer - Security & Fire 2022
    Issued: June 2022
  • Woman in Leadership Award
    SiberX
    Issued: June 2022
  • Ones to Watch - Intellectual Property Law
    Best Lawyers Canada
    Issued: August 2021
  • Canada Top Cybersecurity Women - Nomination
    IT World Canada
    Issued: May 2020
  • Young Leader of Tomorrow - Nominee
    Jeune Barreau de Montréal
    Issued: November 2019
  • Award for implication in the Project Innocence
    Montreal Bar Association
    Issued: January 2013
  • Brian Dickson Medal for outstanding Oral Advocacy
    Lenczner Slaght CBA Gale Cup
    Issued: February 2012

Public Relations.

Publications & Research.

  • A very fake 2020 - Regulating deepfakes in Canada - Onetrust Data Guidance · 1 janv. 2020
  • The Dark Web: Some Thoughts for an Educated Debate - Canadian Journal of Law and Technology · 1 juin 2017
  • Recension: Handbook of International Law and Cyberspace - Société Québecoise de Droit International · 10 déc. 2016
  • How to prepare your company for cybersecurity threats - HelpNet Security · 11 nov. 2016
  • Blog articles - Above Security · 1 janv. 2016
  • Duty of Allegiance - Lambert Academic Publishing · 1 janv. 2015

Probono & Public Services.

  • Business Mentor
    Next AI
    March 2021 - Present
    Mentoring and supporting aspiring entrepreneurs in technology and AI through education, mentorship, and funding.
  • Advisory Board - CISO Forum - SecTor
    BlackHat
    March 2023 - Present
    Helping to organize the next CISO Forum at SecTor, recently acquired by BlackHat.
  • Judge - Top 20 Canadian Women in Cybersecurity 2021
    IT World Canada (ITWC)
    January 2021 - July 2021
    Judging and recognizing top women in the Canadian cybersecurity industry.
  • Advisory Board
    DATAFRANCA
    June 2021 - Present
    Providing guidance and expertise on data governance and cybersecurity.
  • Gouverneur de la relève
    Barreau du Québec
    January 2020 - Present
    Supporting the development of young legal professionals.
  • Canadian Women in Cybersecurity Conference - Advisory Board Member
    siberX
    January 2021 - April 2021
    Advising on the organization and content of the conference focused on women in cybersecurity.
  • Coach - UCLA Law 2020 Moot Court Cyber Crimes Competition
    McGill University
    December 2019 - January 2021
    Coaching law students for the Cyber Crimes Moot Court Competition.
  • Legal Researcher
    Innocence Project
    January 2013 - January 2015
    Conducting legal research to support the exoneration of wrongfully convicted individuals.
  • Legal Researcher - Judicial Clinic
    Université du Québec à Montréal
    January 2012
    Providing legal research support in human rights cases.

Languages.

  • French
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Greek