Merry Ellen Austin and Rachael Ormiston are the dynamic privacy duo at Osano—a B Corp helping businesses build trust through ethical data practices and accessible privacy solutions.

In this episode of Empowered by AI, we get real about digital privacy in a conversation with two trailblazers from Osano. Merry Ellen and Rachael break down what it means to own your data, how to build ethical tech from the inside out, and why now is the moment for women to reshape the AI space. Expect a conversation that’s refreshingly candid, occasionally hilarious, and packed with insights you can act on today.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown:

• [00:01:00] Meet Merry Ellen and Rachael, plus Osano’s mission and their unusual career paths
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• [00:04:00] What empowerment in privacy and tech looks like—for women, by women
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• [00:06:30] Accessibility in privacy conversations and designing with inclusion in mind
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• [00:10:00] Gut checks, vulnerability, and how women can exercise data rights
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• [00:13:00] Practical first steps: submitting subject access requests and reading privacy policies
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• [00:17:00] Using AI without giving away your entire life story
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• [00:18:00] Why bringing your full, weird self into tech matters (and builds better policy)
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• [00:21:00] Global policy shifts that give us hope for more equitable data protections
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• [00:24:00] How being a B Corp shapes Osano’s approach to transparency and inclusion
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• [00:28:00] The AI arms race and what red flags women should watch for
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• [00:30:00] Upcoming Osano virtual events, partnerships, and how to join the movement
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• [00:31:00] The final challenge: pause before you click—and protect your future self

Launching a start-up? Or just wondering what that cookie pop-up really means? This episode is your nudge to reclaim your power and rethink how you engage with your data.

Resources mentioned -

• Podcast episode mentioned in this interview: The Privacy Insider with guest Carrie Goldberg
• Blog Post mentioned in this interview: What is a DSAR? A Complete Guide to Data Subject Access Requests  

• Rapid Fire questions, Rach:
• • ai dog breed: border collie-golden retriever mix
• • death row meal? A really good seafood pasta ideally with lots of parmesan
• • current playlist for work or pump up song - listening to "ibiza beach vibes meets tropical house" or "80's / 90's soundtracks".
• • personality as a color: Blue. I love being the sea, or by a lake, and love the rain.
• • currently reading or fave podcast: I have 3 books on the go right now - audiobook: Blink 182 lead Mark Hoppus, Physical book - Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg and an e-book for my book club "the one" by John Marr. And fun fact- I have a book with me everywhere I go! See, we love books and learning around here!

• Rapid Fire Questions, Merry:
• ai dog breed: border collie golden retriever mix, no wonder we get along!!!!
• Death row meal: smashburger & shoestring fries with a chocolate malt – Midwest girl at heart!!!
• Current playlist for work: I have a self-created playlist on spotify called “background hype” – it’s upbeat funky ambient music that gets me moving without distracting me!
• Personality as a color: also blue! But specifically sapphire blue, like the color of deep, open water in the sun.
• Currently reading or listening: This is so hard because I also always have multiple books in rotation! Currently reading “I didn’t do the thing today” by madeleine dore and it’s so reassuring, just finished The Dream Hotel (highly recommend for privacy-coded sci fi!!), and my favorite podcast for dog walks is Wild Card by Rachael Martin.

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