Faces Behind the Grid: Kelly Peterson

Some people say there’s no overlap between teaching high school English and safeguarding user privacy, but Kelly Peterson's career proves otherwise. After nearly a decade in the classroom—teaching advanced placement English, serving as department chair, and juggling basketball and tennis coaching—she stepped out of education and right into the world of privacy and compliance.

We caught up with Kelly, Grindr's Chief Privacy Officer, to talk about how she went from wrangling high schoolers to collaborating with engineers, product managers, marketers, and everyone in between, all to ensure your data is protected while you connect.

How did your journey to Grindr begin?

"I actually started my career as a high school English teacher and taught for nine years. Teaching is, hands down, the hardest job I’ve ever had. You have to take dense material, break it down, and make it engaging—especially for students who might not have any inherent interest in the topic.

Eventually, I got burned out. Like many educators, I wanted a change but still cared deeply about using my skills in a meaningful way. That role led me straight into privacy work. It felt like the perfect fit—I love the ethics and user advocacy side of it.

When the chance to join Grindr first came along, I was intrigued—especially as a bisexual woman from the Midwest. Once you’ve experienced a place where you can be your full authentic self, it’s hard to find that elsewhere. So here I am!"

How does being a former teacher shape your approach to privacy?

"Teaching is all about empathy and what we now call “user-centric” thinking. In education, you have to consider every student’s background, learning style, or even whether they’ve had breakfast that day.

It’s the same with privacy. If I’m drafting a privacy policy or designing consent flows, I’m asking: “How will our users interpret this? Does it speak to different levels of tech-savviness? Are we meeting them where they are?” Regulatory language can be dense—just like Shakespeare to a reluctant high schooler. My job is to take that dryness and make it click for our users, stakeholders, and the rest of the company."

Walk us through a “typical” day in your role.

"Honestly, there’s no true typical day at Grindr, which is one of the reasons I love it. I could be working with engineers to build privacy-by-design into a new feature, collaborating with outside counsel on changing regulations, or planning employee trainings so everyone at Grindr stays up to speed.

The constant is cross-functional collaboration. Privacy touches almost every department—product, engineering, marketing, ads, IT, you name it. I joke that we’re like a neural network for the organization. Privacy can’t be this stuffy, backroom function; it has to be embedded in how we build features and engage users. That’s the goal every day."

What’s a recent project or accomplishment you’re especially proud of?

"Our AI consents rollout stands out. Rather than only meeting the bare-minimum legal requirements (like applying certain consent flows only in specific regions), we went global with it. Wherever you are, we made sure you have clear choices around how your data is used for AI-powered features. Sensitive data, for instance, requires an explicit opt-in. We tried to be super transparent, user-friendly, and thoughtful. As a result, our engineering and product teams can now build AI-driven experiences that truly enhance the app—while giving users real control over their data."

How do you handle user feedback—especially when it’s not so positive?

"I think anecdotes are powerful. Sure, you see the loudest complaints on Reddit or X (Twitter), but there’s always some truth in that frustration. The key is to weigh the overall sentiment. If we roll out something new, I’ll dig through the threads to see what’s confusing people, how they interpret it, and whether we can improve communication or design next time.

It’s similar to teaching—if one student is checked out, why didn’t that lesson resonate? How can I adjust? Negative feedback can feel harsh, but it’s a chance to refine what we’re doing. At the same time, I don’t lose sight of the bigger picture: some people do appreciate the updates; they’re just less vocal about it."

You’ve mentioned you actively use Grindr yourself. Can you tell us more?

"Yes, I have a Grindr account for both work and pleasure. That can raise eyebrows, but it’s all about transparency. My profile clearly says I work at Grindr—I’m not here to snoop or do anything shady. It’s actually been a great way to connect with users directly. People DM me about privacy questions or concerns, and I can share blog posts, resources, or just chat about what we’re doing behind the scenes. And because I’m also a user, the privacy policy we create applies to me, too. I’m fully invested in making sure it’s robust and truly respectful of people’s data."

What’s your favorite part of working at Grindr?

"Two main things: the mission and the people. Grindr serves a broad spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, and I love that we’re not just a “hookup app”—we’re a connection platform. My work actively supports the safety and well-being of that community.

Secondly, the culture here is incredible. I’ve developed some of my closest friendships at Grindr. Being able to be 100% myself—a bisexual woman from the Midwest, an absolute cookie-baking fiend, and a passionate privacy person—is a kind of freedom I can’t take for granted."

What do you want people to know most about the work you do?

"I want people to know there are real humans behind our privacy features—humans who care deeply about data protection, safety, and user empowerment. All the best elements of Grindr happen because we prioritize privacy, not in spite of it."

Lightning Round

What song are you currently obsessed with?

I know it's not new, but... "Backing It Up by Pardison Fontaine featuring Cardi B. It’s my anthem right now."

If you had to pick a drag name, what would it be?

"Rita Book (homage to my teacher days)."

Office must-have?

"Sticky notes. I’m forever scribbling reminders and ideas."

Hidden talent?

"I’m basically “Suzy Homemaker” with a love for crafts and baking—especially Italian cookies. Over the holidays, my mom and I go into baking overdrive and make 18 to 20 different kinds."

What’s one Grindr feature you love?

"I’m a huge fan of Private Albums. They let you share more selectively and keep things on your own terms."

Most memorable Grindr moment?

"My first day on the job—it was literally the morning after the company Pride pool party. I showed up “fashionably late” and was still the first one there. Nothing beats day-one nerves like go-go dancers and mermaid floats."

Give us a meme describes working here Grindr.

Roast yourself in one sentence.

"I’m completely incapable of talking without using my hands. If you pinned them down, I’d probably lose my ability to speak altogether. It’s the Italian in me—I can’t help it!"

Who’s your “work spouse”?

"I’m in a polycule! My go-tos are Bill Shafton from Legal, Lauren Bade on my team, Matt Shancer, Head of Data Engineering. They’re the first ones I run to with questions and ideas."

Want to learn more about how Grindr keeps your data safe? Stay tuned for dedicated blog posts that go behind the scenes of our privacy-by-design approach. And if you spot Kelly in the app, don’t be shy—she’s there as a user, too, always happy to say hi or chat about how we’re keeping your data secure.

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