About TranscendTracing our roots in the evolution of data privacy
Follow our path from a bold founding idea to partnering with leading brands to revolutionize data privacy operations.
1888
The advent of Kodak's camera marked a pivotal moment in societal reflections on privacy. It initiated public discourse on the implications of capturing and sharing personal moments, laying early groundwork for today's privacy considerations.
1890
Just two years later, the Harvard Law Review published "The Right to Privacy", marking a cultural shift by advocating for privacy rights amidst rapid technological changes. The article emphasized the need for legal protections against the unauthorized publication of private information, highlighting the evolving necessity of personal privacy in modern society.
1991
On August 6, 1991, the first website was introduced to the world, setting off a 'Cambrian explosion' in digital information and data collection. The proliferation of sensors in phones, homes, and public spaces dramatically changed the landscape of personal data, setting the stage for modern privacy challenges.
2017
Our co-founders, Ben and Mike, were students at Harvard when they posed a simple question: Could they reclaim their personal data from the apps they used every day like Spotify, Uber, and Fitbit?
But this question opened a rabbit hole of customer service mazes and legal labyrinths, revealing a stark truth—our data was not ours to command.
In that moment of clarity, Transcend was born, a name embodying our mission to rise above the status quo and empower the individual to take control of their data.
2018
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) went into full force in May 2018. Laying the foundation for modern privacy regulation, the GDPR is one of the strictest privacy laws to date, and compliance is now table stakes for doing business in the EU.
2019
In the wake of GDPR's implementation, we onboarded our first customer, Patreon. Our novel approach to powering full automation of data subject requests (DSRs) not only fortified Patreon's compliance with GDPR but also elevated their customer service experience.
Maria João Medeiros
Customer Support
2020
Several new privacy laws went into effect in 2020 including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the first privacy law of its kind in the US, and LGPD in Brazil.
2022
We embarked on a journey to broaden the scope of our platform, evolving beyond DSR Automation and Consent Management to include a diverse range of solutions. This strategic expansion positions Transcend’s platform as the most comprehensive and versatile in the market.
2022
In a landmark move, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) imposed a substantial fine on Sephora, signaling a shift in the regulatory landscape. This enforcement action, the first of its magnitude, served as a clear message to the market: privacy compliance is no longer a mere formality. It underscored the seriousness with which regulators are now approaching privacy violations, setting a precedent for rigorous enforcement and accountability in the digital age.
2023
Transcend forged key partnerships with two Fortune 50 customers and expanded our team to 50 members, underscoring our growing influence in the industry. Building on this momentum, we introduced Pathfinder, a groundbreaking AI Governance tool, further cementing our commitment to evolving privacy challenges.
2023
Marked by the widespread embrace of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other LLM chat products, the year 2023 emerged as a new era in data privacy, bringing forth unprecedented considerations and challenges in managing and protecting personal information.
Steering into the future of privacy
Just like passengers trust a pilot in complex skies, leading brands trust Transcend across the dynamic privacy landscape. Through every privacy law and technological shift, we've been a reliable partner. Our vision extends beyond keeping pace; we're actively shaping a future where data compliance is effortlessly integrated, ensuring our clients are always at the forefront, compliant, and future-ready.
Our leadership team
Ben Brook
Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer
Mike Farrell
Co-founder, Chief Technology Officer
Kate Parker
President
Luke Arno
Chief Revenue Officer
Minh Nguyen
Vice President, Engineering
Krishna Bhat
Vice President, Product
Mike Orlick
Vice President, Sales
Szuyin Leow
Vice President, Customer Experience
Brandon Wiebe
General Counsel
Ron De Jesus
Field Chief Privacy Officer
Phyllis Fang
Head of Marketing
Andrew Moon
Head of Brand and Communications
Chris Shishido
Vice President, Finance
Nancy Fonseca
Head of People Ops
Our investors
Meet the investors behind Transcend. Their diverse expertise and guidance fuel our mission to create the most complete data privacy solution on the market.
Join the future of data governance
Trusted by Fortune 100 companies and category-leading brands alike, streamline your compliance strategy with Transcend.
Book a demoUnlike many competitors, Transcend understands the importance that regulators put on processing consent, and managing consent eliminates a chunk of risk. Automating and removing manual processes from consent management is a feather in Transcend’s cap.
Transcend has saved us from countless hours of manual datapoint labeling, missing systems in privacy requests, and downstream gaps in consent preference management. Privacy is no longer a cost center – with Transcend, we are driving value to the business.
Transcend continues to be on the forefront of compliance for emerging items such as AI and US laws. This allows us to meet our compliance requirements globally.