Welcome!
Meet Alyson.
Digital Responsibility Advocate
Public Policy Analyst
Small Business Strategist
Alyson Shade is a Certified Information Privacy Professional with substantial experience as a cleared government contractor. She has a strong background in privacy compliance, information governance, and strategic change management across federal, nonprofit, and private sectors.
I specialize in…
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AI Governance + Information Privacy Policy, Compliance, and Risk Assessment.
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Classified Document Redaction
Privacy Impact Assessments
System of Records Notices
Privacy Act Statements / Privacy Advisories
Breach Reporting
Training Curriculum Design / Delivery
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Executive Coaching
Goal Mapping / Strategic Planning
Standard Operating Procedures
Training Curriculum Design / Delivery
Experience
Privacy Act Coordinator, US Navy
2022 - 2024
Contracted by the Department of the Navy, Alyson ensured comprehensive data privacy compliance. Her responsibilities included conducting privacy impact assessments, submitting incident reports, and reviewing Systems of Records Notices and Privacy Act Statements/Advisories. She collaborated with the Chief Information Officer to design and deliver quarterly training modules for approximately 75 subcomponent offices. Additionally, she successfully completed annual cybersecurity and information assurance training.
Strategy Consultant, ADHD Resource Center of Northern Virginia
2020 - 2021
Alyson led the Board of Directors through key strategic decision-making processes that facilitated effective change management. She was instrumental in positioning the nonprofit organization for increased visibility as both an online resource center and a professional networking group. Her contributions included producing a strategic operations manual, developing standard operating procedures, and delivering continuity training.
Small Business Owner, Realignment Studio
2012 - 2020
As the founder and operator of a yoga studio located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, Alyson developed and executed a comprehensive 200-hour training certification curriculum. She was responsible for both short-term and long-term strategic planning, as well as the creation of standard operating procedures and a continuity plan. Her duties also encompassed marketing, communications, and drafting third-party contract agreements. She holds certifications as E-RYT 200, E-RYT 500, and YACEP.
Associate, Toffler Associates
2011 - 2012
In her role as an associate, Alyson facilitated strategic change management to support various federal contracts. She updated organizational charts and standard operating procedures, conducted stakeholder interviews, trained staff, and coached senior leadership. She completed annual cybersecurity and information assurance training and was recognized as Consultant of the Month, July 2012. She also received company sponsorship to attend the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, 2011.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Senior Analyst + Team Lead, Office of the Secretary of Defense (Washington Headquarters Services)
2010 - 2011
Alyson served as a senior analyst supporting a federal contract with the Department of Defense. She processed FOIA appeals, analyzed and redacted sensitive material and classified documents, and collaborated with the Department of Justice legal team to provide recommendations for release determinations based on applicable exemptions. She completed annual cybersecurity and information assurance training and was awarded company sponsorship to attend the American Society for Access Professionals conference, 2011.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Analyst, US Navy
2009 - 2010
As a policy analyst supporting a federal contract with the Department of the Navy, Alyson managed the public-facing FOIA request inbox and responded directly to requesters, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. She maintained and updated the internal tracking database for managing requests and completed annual cybersecurity and information awareness training.
Education
International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Certification Training
Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP / US Private Sector) - August 2025
AI Governance Professional (AIGP) - April 2025
Foundations of Privacy and Data Protection - October 2024
Elizabethtown College, PA
Political Science / Public Policy (BA)
More about Alyson.
Alyson (she/her) grew up in Central PA and earned her Political Science degree at Elizabethtown College. In 2008 she moved to Washington, DC and supported FOIA programs under the Department of Defense. She left federal contracting to become a certified yoga instructor and owned a studio on Capitol Hill until 2020. After finishing a contract with a local nonprofit, Alyson returned to working with the US Navy as a Privacy Act Coordinator. Since February 2024, Alyson has been completing AI governance and data privacy certification programs through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) in order to expand her expertise into the US private sector. She continues to teach yoga and workplace wellness classes.
Outside of the office, Alyson enjoys teaching yoga, running up mountains and spoiling her beloved pup Malala. She lives in Pensacola, FL with her family, who often tell her that she has too many houseplants.