Background – Sara Maklad serves as a distinguished Director at Myna Partners, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in privacy, security, and risk management to her role. Her career has been built on a foundation of both technical knowledge and regulatory insight, enabling her to deliver solutions that are precise, practical, and fully aligned with organizational needs. Sara has consistently demonstrated a commitment to helping organizations navigate complex regulatory landscapes while strengthening internal processes and data protection capabilities.
Over the years, Sara has worked with a diverse range of clients, spanning quick service restaurants (QSR), entertainment, retail, technology, and insurance sectors. Her extensive experience allows her to tailor solutions to the unique requirements of each client, ensuring strategies are both effective and adaptable across industries.
Sara brings an impressive skill set in designing and executing privacy and security assessments, along with leading remediation initiatives aligned with global frameworks such as:
Her expertise encompasses developing and operationalizing data subject request response programs, conducting comprehensive data mapping efforts, and ensuring organizations meet regulatory compliance while maintaining operational efficiency. These programs are designed to support transparency and accountability, allowing organizations to handle personal data responsibly and with confidence.
In addition, Sara has consistently demonstrated the ability to lead client remediation projects effectively. She provides tailored guidance, designs structured training modules, and oversees the implementation of privacy programs, ensuring that organizations maintain compliance across multiple jurisdictions, including POPIA, PDPA, CCPA, and GDPR. Her approach combines regulatory knowledge with practical application, ensuring that processes are both robust and actionable.
Experience – Sara’s career began with a focus on internal IT audit, where she developed expertise in SOX IT testing, covering both financial and IT general controls (ITGC). Her audit experience extended to operational sales audits and enterprise risk management initiatives, providing a strong foundation in risk identification, assessment, and mitigation. This early experience allowed Sara to build a comprehensive understanding of organizational control environments and operational workflows.
She also served at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on the Core Assurance team within the technology market, where she played a critical role in external audits for SEC filings, supporting IPO and carve‑out filings. These responsibilities required meticulous attention to detail, precise reporting, and a strong grasp of regulatory and financial requirements.
Building on this foundation, Sara transitioned fully into the privacy field, where she has continued to expand her expertise in third-party risk management, overseeing onboarding, monitoring, and offboarding processes for vendors and partners. She ensures complex third-party assessments are completed thoroughly, with remediation plans communicated clearly to senior management.
Sara’s expertise also includes conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), managing Records of Processing Activities (RoPA), and providing comprehensive guidance on GDPR Article 30 compliance. Her work ensures that organizations not only document data processing but proactively identify and mitigate privacy risks.
Certifications and Education –
Sara holds prestigious certifications, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), demonstrating her proficiency in both security frameworks and auditing. She earned her Master’s degree in Accounting from Binghamton University, providing additional expertise in financial and operational oversight.
OneTrust Certifications – In addition, Sara has earned specialized OneTrust certifications, including OneTrust Certified Privacy Management Professional (OTCP), Targeted Data Discovery, and advanced certifications in Governance, Risk & Compliance and Administration. These credentials underscore her ability to integrate privacy strategy with technology, ensuring that organizations implement effective, compliant, and sustainable privacy programs.
Vision & Impact – Throughout her career, Sara Maklad has maintained a strong commitment to advancing the practice of privacy and data protection. Her ability to blend audit-driven precision, regulatory insight, and practical implementation ensures organizations not only meet compliance obligations but also strengthen their overall privacy posture. By leading projects, developing tailored programs, and training client teams, Sara continues to shape the way organizations approach privacy resilience, risk management, and regulatory strategy.