Before becoming a leader in global data privacy, Terrance Reeves ‘01 originated from Warren County, North Carolina, where he was raised in a single-parent household as the middle child. His mother, who had a career in education for more than 30 years, instilled in him the value of education and hard work.
“Warren County, at the time when I grew up, was considered the poorest county out of the 100 counties in North Carolina,” Reeves said. “However, I didn’t feel that way as a child.” He spent time outdoors, asking questions and figuring things out on his own, naturally developing a mindset rooted in discovery.
“I’ve always been a curious kid,” he said. A characteristic that continues to fuel his work today.
His curiosity led Reeves to North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where he pursued a degree in mathematics and computer Science.
“NCCU gave me the foundation to think critically and approach problems with confidence,” he said. Beyond the classroom, this institution played a critical role in building his confidence as a young professional. He was prepared to step into spaces where both technical expertise and self-assurance were essential.
A Career Built on Trust and Responsibility
With more than 15 years of experience, Reeves has built a career that spans both federal service and the private sector. He worked as chief privacy officer at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, an agency within the U.S. Department of Defense. This position placed him at the forefront of protecting sensitive information at a national level.
“Privacy is not just about compliance,” he stated. “It’s about building trust with the people whose data you are responsible for protecting”.
In that role, Reeves developed a deeper understanding of leadership, accountability and the weight of responsibility of managing data in high-stakes environments.
Today, Reeves serves as senior manager of data privacy at HP Inc., where he focuses on data privacy, governance and risk management. His work focuses on responsible artificial intelligence.
“Responsible AI means ensuring that the systems we build are fair, transparent, and accountable,” Reeves said. “It’s about embedding ethical considerations into the design process from the very beginning”.
Mentorship and Giving Back
In addition to his professional work, Reeves helps others navigate careers in data privacy, cybersecurity and AI governance.
“Mentorship is about opening doors and helping others see what’s possible,” he said.