Our Leadership

A Unique Blend of Expertise

The Aetos leadership team brings together decades of experience from the world's top law firms, largest tech companies, and federal government agencies. We founded Aetos to make this elite level of expertise accessible, providing pragmatic and strategic guidance that helps ambitious companies thrive in a complex regulatory world.

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Michael Adler

Co-Founder & Chief Privacy Officer

Michael brings a unique blend of high-stakes legal experience and deep insight into technology and national security to the compliance arena. A highly educated professional, Mike holds a BA in International Relations from Michigan State University, an MPA in National Security Studies from George Washington University, a JD from Vanderbilt University, and an M.St. in Entrepreneurship from Cambridge University (King's College). This diverse academic background underpins his ability to dissect multifaceted regulatory challenges from every angle.

He has been on the front lines with tech startups, grappling with real-world compliance issues in the fast-moving tech sector. His prior roles as a federal defender, a federal judicial clerk, and at prestigious firms like Dechert and Kirkland & Ellis showcase his formidable legal analytical skills. Significantly, Mike's time as a civilian intelligence officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency, focusing on Islamic extremism in East Africa, provided him with unparalleled insights into critical information security and risk management – invaluable experience for advising on areas like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 readiness.

For Aetos Clients: Mike applies his legal background to provide the strategic perspective crucial for mitigating regulatory risk and building resilient compliance frameworks. His experience, particularly in the tech sector, means he understands the nuances of cutting-edge challenges like AI governance and data privacy. Mike guides clients through intricate regulatory landscapes, ensuring their compliance strategies are not only logically sound but also practically effective and forward-thinking.

Key Expertise

Education & Publications

  • University of Cambridge (King’s College), Judge Business School - M.St. in Entrepreneurship

    • Juris Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Law - A Pathway for Competitive Advantage Through GDPR Compliance (Cambridge University dissertation, 2023) - white paper publication forthcoming

  • Vanderbilt University - J.D. with a certificate in Law & Business

  • George Washington University - M.P.A. with a concentration in National Security Studies

  • James Madison Honors College (Michigan State University) - B.A. in International Relations

“By leveraging a Privacy-Principles-by-Design approach... B2B entrepreneurs can structure their data processing activities in alignment with the principles of GDPR, which is a far more achievable goal than the practical impossibility of complying with the entirety of the GDPR’s requirements.”
— Michael Adler, published 2023
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Shayne Adler

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Shayne is the operational and strategic powerhouse behind Aetos, bringing a keen eye for efficiency and governance to the intricate world of compliance. With a BA in Art History from Columbia University and a JD, Shayne honed her understanding of complex systems and meticulous detail. While admitted to the New York bar, her path veered towards non-profit operations, where she mastered the art of managing intricate systems and diverse stakeholders.

Her entrepreneurial spirit truly took flight with her MBA from the University of Michigan, equipping her with the incisive business acumen necessary to tackle the operational complexities of compliance for Aetos's clients. Shayne's extensive experience serving on non-profit boards since 1999 further underscores her deep understanding of governance, ethical frameworks, and the practical implementation of robust systems.

For Aetos Clients: Shayne translates complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable operational strategies. She excels at designing bespoke compliance frameworks that integrate seamlessly into your business, ensuring efficiency without compromising on rigor. Her approach helps growing companies not just meet obligations, but build a sustainable culture of compliance that drives value.

Key Expertise

Education

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Robby Pinnamaneni

Of Counsel

Robby offers a wealth of in-house and top-tier law firm experience, excelling at translating complex legal requirements into pragmatic business strategy.

Robby’s career has given him a deep understanding of the intersection between a business’s legal and operational needs. After beginning his career at elite law firms, he transitioned to senior in-house roles where he sat on the client's side of the table. This experience allows him to move beyond purely legal analysis to provide practical, actionable solutions that align with core business objectives, making him an invaluable counselor for both technology startups and established enterprises.

Key Expertise:

  • Corporate & Commercial Law

  • Technology Startups

  • Strategic Legal Counsel

  • Financial Engineering

Education

  • Vanderbilt University - J.D. with a certificate in Law & Business

  • University of Michigan - M.S. in Financial Engineering

  • University of Chicago - B.A. in Economics with Honors

Member of the California Bar.