IIC USA Chapter – Submarine Cables: Security, Resiliency, Investment and Innovation to Support Global Connectivity

Bryce R. Schoenborn serves as the Director, Economic Security Policy, Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In these roles, he leads the Department’s work safeguarding U.S. national and economic security against foreign threats arising in the context of foreign investment and involvement in critical supply chains. His team manages all aspects of DHS participation in both the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and Team Telecom. In addition, Bryce leads DHS efforts to ensure the security and resilience of subsea fiber-optic communications networks, protect advanced U.S. technology from foreign adversary exploitation, and address emerging threats against critical ICT supply chains.

Prior to his federal service, Bryce worked in the private sector as a national security risk analyst supporting both DHS and the Department of Defense on CFIUS and Team Telecom. Bryce received his bachelor’s degree in international studies from Dickinson College and holds a master’s degree in international politics from American University.

Daizo Kosa is General Manager and Chief Corporate Representative of NTT Washington D.C. Representative Office.

Since he joined NTT East Corporation in Japan in 2000, he has been in diverse organizations such as system engineering, corporate strategy, service development, and procurement in NTT by utilizing his in-depth knowledge of, and expertise in cutting-edge technology of global digital infrastructure, solutions in IT, business management and development methods, and  corporate liaison methods.

In NTT Holdings from 2016 to 2020, he contributed to build a global procurement strategy across international NTT operation companies such as NTT Data, Inc. in the US, NTT Europe in UK, and NTT Singapore. In addition, he led the reforming global procurement system project by making standardization and digital transformation across NTT group.

He completed of a bachelor’s degree, Industrial and Systems Engineering at Keio University of Japan (2000). He also obtained an MBA at the College of William and Mary, Mason school of Business (2011)

Denise Coca serves as Chief of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Office of International Affairs, Telecommunications and Analysis Division.  The Division develops international telecommunications policy, including issuing submarine cable landing licenses under the Cable Landing License Act of 1921 and Executive Order No. 10530, authorizing international telecommunications facilities and services under section 214 of the Communications Act, and providing expertise on foreign ownership issues pursuant to section 310 of the Act.  As Chief, Ms. Coca leads the Division’s efforts in facilitating the deployment of submarine cable and telecommunications infrastructure, and she oversees the FCC’s coordination of international applications and petitions involving foreign ownership with the relevant Executive Branch agencies for any national security, law enforcement, foreign policy, or trade policy concerns.  Previously, Ms. Coca held various positions within the FCC, including the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Wireline Competition Bureau.

Evelyn Remaley is a recognized leader in the government and private sectors, leading efforts focused on the intersection of technology and national security policy, broadband expansion, cybersecurity, and spectrum management.  Evelyn advises her clients on strategy, program management, and advocacy, transforming complex technical and regulatory matters into actionable solutions.  Her decades of experience provide unique insight to communications and technology companies attempting to navigate today’s evolving legal and regulatory environment.

Evelyn is a Partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP.  Prior to joining WBK, Evelyn served as Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and Acting Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.  At NTIA, Evelyn led a team of experts providing senior policy guidance to the Secretary of Commerce and the White House on government priorities, including broadband funding to close the digital divide, supply chain risk management, privacy, the free flow of information, encryption, spectrum, and the Internet of things.  As a leader in government, she helped to advance access to innovative communications services and enhance trust and safety in the digital economy.

Prior to her work within the federal government, she led a Cybersecurity and Internet Policy Team at Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, VA.  Evelyn also worked for a leading Internet service provider in its Internet Privacy and Security Federal Practice and spent time deploying the Internet across communities through her work with public libraries. She has a B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University and a J.D. from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Bio coming soon …..

Ian Dillner is an Associate General Counsel at Verizon with over 25 years of experience on telecommunications regulations. In his various roles at both Verizon and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), his professional work has included substantial focus on consumer issues, broadband, and FCC international licensing matters.

Johannes Bahrke is Counselor for Digital Policy at the EU Delegation to the United States in Washington DC. Prior to his posting, he was European Commission Coordinating Spokesperson for digital policy, research and innovation in Brussels. He accompanied notably the proposal, negotiation, and implementation of the Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, the Artificial Intelligence Act, and the EU Chips Act. Before joining the EU Institutions end-2014, Johannes worked as a managing editor for German national TV ZDF. Johannes studied media and communications in Siegen, Germany, and London, UK, and holds an MA in European political studies from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.

Ms. Donohue is an experienced attorney with 20+ years of tech-related legal and policy expertise and a proven track record of creating and executing complex strategies to drive positive regulatory change across multiple industries. As Global Head of Network Infrastructure Policy at Meta, Ms. Donohue leads network infra policy efforts for one of the biggest developers and users of subsea cables in the world.  Ms. Donohue is a passionate advocate for regulatory subsea best practices,  engaging globally with policymakers, trade associations, think tanks, NGOs, and development banks on subsea cable policy, to educate and advocate for meaningful positive change. She is a leading member of the newly established International Connectivity Coalition, whose mission is to advocate for regulatory reform that will attract and enable subsea cable investments in the United States.  Most recently, Ms. Donohue was appointed to the ITU’s International Advisory body for Submarine Cable Resilience.

Prior to joining Meta, Kelly was a partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP.  Before that, she worked for several years at the Federal Communications Commission. Ms. Donohue earned her law degree at Duke University School of Law.

Kent Bressie is Partner and Head of International Practice with the law firm HWG LLP in Washington DC and the Legal Adviser to the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), the world’s leading nongovernmental organization dedicated to submarine cable protection and resilience.  Kent has worked in extensively in the submarine cable sector for more than 30 years, focusing on regulatory, commercial, disputes, and international law matters for a wide range of clients.  He currently co-leads the International Advisory Body on Submarine Cable Resilience, a joint initiative of the ICPC and the International Telecommunication Union, the U.N. agency for digital technologies.  He previously served as a consultant to the World Bank for telecommunications development and trade.  He is a graduate of Stanford University, the University of Chicago Law School, and the Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy.

Lynn Robinson became Director General of the International Institute of Communications (IIC), in March 2020.

Lynn is an experienced senior director and trustee / non exec-director, having held key senior leadership positions in the technology, built environment, regulation, accreditation and dental industries. She has extensive experience of professional membership bodies working within the full spectrum including, Regulatory bodies, Industry associations and Chambers of Commerce. Lynn is a well-known and established ambassador in these areas having led on many strategic programmes to aid engagement, growth, retention, change management, stakeholder and political engagement.

Savannah P. Schaefer is a Partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP in Washington, D.C., where she advises clients on complex issues at the intersection of telecommunications, cybersecurity, and digital policy. With a deep understanding of emerging technologies and regulatory frameworks, she helps organizations navigate evolving legal landscapes related to supply chain risk management, data governance, and critical infrastructure security.

Prior to joining the firm, Savannah served as Senior Director for Advocacy at a prominent technology trade association, leading national policy initiatives on cybersecurity and supply chain security. She has also played a key role in government-industry collaboration, serving as Secretary of the Information Technology Sector Coordinating Council, a member of the Communications Sector Coordinating Council, and co-chairing a working group within the Department of Homeland Security’s ICT Supply Chain Risk Management Task Force.

Savannah earned both her J.D. and B.A. from the University of Colorado. She brings a strategic, forward-thinking approach to her work, helping clients stay ahead in a rapidly changing digital environment.