International Regulators Forum 2025

Economist and Masters in Economics from Universidad de los Andes. She began her career as a project assistant at ANDI and later worked as an economist in the Competition Practices Group of the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC). For the past six years, she has been part of the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC), where she currently serves as Coordinator of Regulatory Policy and Competition. In this role, she leads initiatives to strengthen user protection, promote competition, foster infrastructure investment, and enhance service quality, applying regulatory improvement tools, a deep understanding of the ecosystem, and evidence-based analysis.

I am a lawyer with a Master’s degree in Law and New Technologies from the University of Chile (c), with 21 years of experience in the public sector, primarily at the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications. I specialize in regulatory matters, digital transformation, and technology, with additional training in cybersecurity, free competition, information technology law, and telecommunications law. My work has focused on the legal, regulatory, and oversight challenges posed by technological evolution, always with a strategic and public service perspective.

Dr Allyson Leacock, Chairman of the Barbados Broadcasting Authority and Director of National Transformation Initiative, Government of Barbados, is also an independent media and human development consultant. She led a coalition of 112 Media Houses in 24 Caribbean countries for 12 years and trained over 2000 Caribbean broadcasters. She served on the Executive Board of the Global Media AIDS Initiative (GMAI) and was elected for 2 terms as Chairman of the Global Steering Committee for the World AIDS Campaign. She was also Cultural Affairs Specialist at the US Embassy covering the Caribbean and Officer-In-Charge and Student Coordinator at the University of the West Indies Distance Education Centre (UWIDEC), now the Open Campus.

Dr Allyson Leacock was conferred with the Order of the Republic (OR) in Barbados National Honours on 30 November 2023. The award was given by the President of Barbados – In ‘recognition of sterling contribution to broadcasting, media relations, corporate communications, training, human resource development and educational technology, as well as distinguished service to Barbados as Head of National Transformation Initiative’.

Dr Leacock has a wide-ranging professional background including in executive management in corporate communications, media, needs assessment, training, human resource development and leadership, as well broadcast media including production and presentation as TV News Anchor, and as General Manager of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation.

She holds Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Educational Technology, Concordia University, Canada and BA (Double First Class Honours) in English and Education and the Diploma in Education (Dip.Ed with distinction) from Stirling University, UK. Her training also includes Diplomas in Human Resource Management, Facility Management, Arts Management and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

A former national athlete, gymnast, dancer and actress, Dr Leacock is trained in sign language, is a volunteer with Special Olympics and Barbados Council for the Disabled.

Andrea Muñoz Gómez graduate of the University of Cauca, Andrea holds a Master’s in Administrative Law from the University of Rosario and is specialized in Business Law and Telecommunications Law from Externado University of Colombia. She has completed programs in Senior Management in Negotiation at the University of Los Andes and in Comprehensive Regulatory Impact Analysis at the University of Florida.

With 28 years of experience, of which 25 have been in the ICT sector with a focus on regulation, Ms Muñoz Gómez has held various managerial positions and has consulted in the areas of television and public utility services, specializing in the application of efficient regulatory methodologies. She currently teaches in the Master’s program in State Law with an emphasis on Regulation and Management of Telecommunications and ICT, as well as in the Master’s program in Economic Law at Externado University of Colombia.

Barbara Cuber graduated from McGill University’s Faculty of Law in 2007. She clerked at the Court of Appeal of Quebec, and later worked in private practice, specializing in Indigenous law. She joined the public service of Canada in 2010, where she worked as legal counsel in various regulatory organizations, advising decision-makers in the fields of administrative, regulatory and constitutional law.  She has managed teams of lawyers at the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada and the Canadian Transportation Agency, where her work focused on railway and airline regulation. She has pled cases in the Federal Courts as well as the Supreme Court of Canada and has worked on various legislative and regulatory reform initiatives. As legal counsel at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), she has worked on a broad range of complex cases in broadcasting and telecommunications and she now occupies the position of General Counsel and Deputy Executive Director of the Legal Services Department, specializing in the Commission’s telecommunications and enforcement mandates.

Camilla Bustani is Director, international at Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, where she oversees Ofcom’s programme of international engagement and activities in Europe and beyond. She has been actively engaged in the work of European and regional regulatory networks (including BEREC, ERGA and EPRA), and was involved in several EU legislative negotiations in the sectors Ofcom regulates. Ms Bustani has participated in a number of regulatory debates in communications sectors over the last 15 years, most recently around online regulation and the interaction between the different regulatory regimes that might be implicated. She has written on regulatory reform in developing countries and on the impact of institutional design on forms of regulatory cooperation.

Prior to joining Ofcom in 2006, Ms Bustani worked as a lawyer at Clifford Chance LLP in London for 8 years.

She obtained her bachelors’ degree from Harvard University, a masters’ degree from SIPA at Columbia University, and a law degree from Oxford University.

Chris Woolford is Ofcom’s Director of International Spectrum Policy where his responsibilities cover the UK’s international spectrum interests, especially in relation to the ITU, CEPT and EU. He has closely engaged for the UK on a number of key European regulatory initiatives in the field of electronic communications and participates in many European spectrum groups. He leads UK engagement with the ITU and led the UK delegations to WRCs in 2019, 2015 and 2012. He is currently preparing to lead the UK delegation to WRC-23.

In 2019 Mr Woolford took on the role of Chairman of the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) of CEPT and was re-elected for a second term in 2022. He has also been a Director of the International Institute of Communications since 2018.

Mr Woolford has 25 years’ experience of working on spectrum and communications regulation, both at Ofcom and its predecessor (Oftel). He has a degree in mathematics and statistics from Manchester University.

Claudia Ximena Bustamante is an Electronic Engineer from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. She holds an Executive MBA from IE Business School and a Specialization in Commercial Management from Universidad de La Sabana. She has over 25 years of experience in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, with a focus on strategy, regulation, public policy, innovation, and research.

Over the course of her career, she has worked as a consultant in data and Internet networks. At the CRC, she has served as Coordinator of various areas, including Government and Advisory Relations, the Business Knowledge Center, and most recently, Regulatory Innovation and Foresight. She has led teams working on strategic topics such as infrastructure deployment, the Regulatory Sandbox, service quality, and studies on connectivity, net neutrality, OTT platforms, broadcasting, and audiovisual content.

Commissioner Bustamante has also represented the Government of Colombia in international forums such as CITEL – OAS and ICANN, and was part of the negotiation teams for trade agreements with Japan and the Pacific Alliance. Additionally, she has taught in ICT regulation specialization and master’s programs at Universidad Externado de Colombia, with a focus on regulatory innovation.

Daniel holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master’s degree in History from Universidad de los Andes (Colombia), as well as a Master’s in Development Studies from Erasmus University Rotterdam. He has been working at the intersection of law, society, and technology for over six years. Currently, he serves as advisor to the Deputy Superintendent for the Protection of Personal Data.

Bio coming soon…

Felipe is an economist from the University of Cartagena, with a Master’s degree and current PhD candidacy in Economic Sciences from the National University of Colombia. He also holds diplomas in International Financial Reporting Standards, Econometrics, Competition Policy, and Data Science.

He has extensive experience in the public sector, beginning in 2010. He has served as an economic advisor to institutions such as the National Directorate of Narcotics and the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce, particularly in the area of competition protection. Before joining the Commission, he served as Coordinator of the Business Mergers Group at the Superintendence.

Freddy Artavia Estrada is a legal professional with over two decades of experience in the public and international sectors, specializing in telecommunications, public policy, and economic development. His academic background includes a Master’s in Business Administration and Corporate Law, awarded Summa Cum Laude, from the Escuela Libre de Derecho in Costa Rica, where he is also pursuing a doctoral degree in Constitutional and Administrative Law. Additionally, he holds a Master’s in International Economic Policy from the University of Belgrano in Argentina, a Diploma in Public Management from the University of Chile, and certifications as a conflict conciliator and mediator from the Costa Rican Bar Association.

His professional career includes key roles in Costa Rican public institutions and international organizations. Currently, he serves as the Director of Concessions and Telecommunications Standards at the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT). In this role, he leads legal advisory efforts in telecommunications and oversees frequency concession management, aiming to ensure sustainable development and innovation in the sector.

Before assuming this position, he was the Head of the National Radio Control Unit at MICITT, where he led strategic projects such as the implementation of Digital Terrestrial Television and the recovery of the 700 MHz band for advanced mobile services. He also contributed to the development of Costa Rica’s National Telecommunications Development Plan 2022-2027, a critical framework for inclusive digital progress in the country.

During his tenure at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (SUTEL), Costa Rica’s telecommunications regulator, he played a significant role in implementing the FONATEL trust fund, designed to bridge the digital divide, and in creating the number portability system, providing users greater freedom in choosing their operators. His experience also includes leading conciliation processes to resolve user claims in the telecommunications sector.

Internationally, Freddy has had the opportunity to lead projects from a legal perspective in countries such as Bolivia, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica at both national and municipal levels. He worked with FUNDES International on administrative simplification initiatives funded by multilateral organizations such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). These experiences enabled him to successfully implement over 23 projects, promoting efficiency and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

His professional approach has always been to combine technical excellence with a deep commitment to the public interest, both nationally and internationally. He is convinced that the legal and regulatory framework should be a tool to facilitate economic development, promote equity, and ensure that technology is accessible to all sectors of society.

Versión en español:

Freddy Artavia Estrada es un profesional del derecho con más de dos décadas de experiencia en el ámbito público e internacional, especializado en telecomunicaciones, políticas públicas y desarrollo económico. La formación académica incluye un Máster en Administración de Empresas y Derecho Empresarial con honores Summa Cum Laude, por la Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho en Costa Rica, de donde también es doctorando en Derecho Constitucional y Administrativo. Además, cuenta con una Maestría en Política Económica Internacional de la Universidad de Belgrano en Argentina, un Diplomado en Gerencia Pública de la Universidad de Chile, y certificaciones como conciliador y mediador de conflictos otorgadas por el Colegio de Abogados de Costa Rica.

Su trayectoria profesional incluye roles clave en instituciones públicas costarricenses y organismos internacionales. Actualmente, se desempeña como Director de Concesiones y Normas en Telecomunicaciones en el Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones (MICITT). En este puesto, lidera la asesoría jurídica en telecomunicaciones, y gestiona concesiones de frecuencias con el objetivo de asegurar el desarrollo sostenible y la innovación en el sector.

Antes de asumir este cargo, fue Jefe de la Unidad de Control Nacional de Radio del MICITT, donde desde la perspectiva jurídica lideró proyectos estratégicos como la implementación de la Televisión Digital Terrestre y la recuperación de la banda de 700 MHz para servicios móviles avanzados. También participó en la elaboración del Plan Nacional de Desarrollo de las Telecomunicaciones 2022-2027, un instrumento clave para el progreso digital inclusivo de Costa Rica.

Durante su paso por la Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (SUTEL), regulador de las telecomunicaciones en Costa Rica, se desempeñó en roles para la implementación del fideicomiso FONATEL, destinado a cerrar la brecha digital en el país, y en el diseño del sistema de portabilidad numérica, garantizando a los usuarios una mayor libertad en la elección de sus operadores. Su experiencia también abarca el liderazgo de procesos de conciliación para resolver reclamaciones de usuarios en el sector telecomunicaciones.

A nivel internacional, tuvo la oportunidad de liderar proyectos desde la perspectiva jurídica en países como Bolivia, Guatemala, El Salvador y Costa Rica en un ámbito nacional y municipal, trabajando para FUNDES Internacional en iniciativas de simplificación de trámites administrativos financiadas por organismos multilaterales como el Banco Mundial y el BID. Estas experiencias le permitieron implementar más de 23 proyectos exitosos, promoviendo la eficiencia y el desarrollo de las pequeñas y medianas empresas.

El enfoque profesional siempre ha sido combinar la excelencia técnica con un profundo compromiso con el interés público, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, convencido de que el marco legal y regulatorio debe ser una herramienta para facilitar el desarrollo económico, promover la equidad y garantizar que las tecnologías sean accesibles para todos los sectores de la sociedad.

Gonzalo Balseiro Giglio is an Economist, graduated from the University of the Republic (UDELAR). Since 2020, he has served in the area of Legal and Economic Regulation at the Regulatory Unit of Communications Services (URSEC), where he currently holds the position of President.

Previously, from 2011 to 2020, he was an advisor at the Office of Planning and Budget (OPP), focusing on Public Investment, Decentralization, and Public Budgets. He represented Uruguay in the Network of National Public Investment Systems of Latin America and the Caribbean and served as a delegate to the Honorary Council of the State Procurement Agency, representing OPP in public sector negotiation forums.

He began his career at URSEC in 2009, where he was appointed General Manager through an open public competition. In addition, he has been a lecturer in Economics, Statistics, Econometrics, and Regulation at undergraduate and postgraduate levels at the Faculty of Economics, UDELAR.

Dr. Guido Gómez Mazara is a lawyer, politician, and university professor with a solid academic background and an extensive professional career. He holds a Doctorate in Law from Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE), a Master’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration from the New School for Social Research in New York, and has completed courses in public policy at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain.

While studying in New York City, Gómez Mazara served as director of the newspaper Listín USA and worked for the television network Telemundo. Upon his return to the Dominican Republic in 1994, he became actively involved in politics, holding various roles within his political organization, including Legal Counsel to the Executive Branch during the 2000–2004 administration.

Throughout his professional and political career, Gómez Mazara has demonstrated a firm commitment to modernizing the State, strengthening institutions, fighting corruption, and defending democratic values in the country. In addition to his political career, Guido is a well-known producer and host of television and radio programs. He has taught Law, published several books on politics, and is a columnist for the newspaper Hoy.

As president of the Board of Directors of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL), he leads significant reforms in this sector, with emphasis on advancing the National Broadband Plan and implementing the 5G network in the Dominican Republic.

Under his leadership, INDOTEL works tirelessly to reduce the digital divide and expand access to technology, promoting collective progress and equity across the country.

Héctor Huici over the last 32 years has achieved a vast experience in regulation and ICT public policy both in the public and private sector

He has served as former ICT Secretary of Argentina (2016-2019) and former Undersecretary of Connectivity and Communications (2024). During the times of the privatization of the telecommunications services in Argentina during the 90’s he was legal and regulatory manager of the regulatory agency.

He has also been independent consultant of the IDB, ITU and Access Partnership. He has also been partner in the law firms Bomchil, Pinedo, Huici & Asociados and Sanchez Elía, Pinedo & Huici.

He is teacher in both private and public universities in graduate and post graduate courses and author of more of 50 articles of his expertise (administrative law, public utilities, telecoms, energy) in local and foreign publications.

He currently serves as Undersecretary of Simplification and De-Regulation of the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation.

Isolde Goggin has over twenty years experience working at the highest level in telecommunications regulation, competition policy and consumer protection. She was chairperson of Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission from 2014 to 2021 and, prior to that, chaired one of its predecessor bodies, the Competition Authority, from 2011 to 2014. She was a commissioner of ComReg, the Irish Commission for Communications Regulation, from 2002 to 2006, and chairperson from 2004 to 2006. From 1996 to 2002 she was a member of the Competition Authority.

Isolde’s involvement in the telecommunications sector dates back to 1980 when, after qualifying with an engineering degree from Trinity College, Dublin, she joined the incumbent telecommunications operator. She completed a masters in business administration at University College, Dublin, in 1988, and subsequently moved to an advisory role in the European Commission, working on satellite policy. She also worked for the Swedish telecommunications manufacturer Ericsson for several years.

Isolde has represented Ireland in many international fora, including the European and International Competition Networks, the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications, the EU’s Radio Spectrum Policy Group, the European Consumer Protection Co-operation Network and the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network. She has provided advice to government on spectrum policy, next generation networks, data protection and online safety.

Isolde is an honorary life member and fellow of Engineers Ireland, a chartered engineer and member of the IET. She is also a member of the board of Trinity College, Dublin, and of the Central Bank of Ireland’s consumer advisory group. Reflecting a lifelong interest in the classics, she gained a BA in the subject from the Open University in 2021, and a masters from Trinity College Dublin in 2023. She is also a keen open water swimmer and last summer combined the two interests by participating in the 6.5 km Bosphorus Cross-Continental Race in Istanbul.

John Evans has over 20 years’ experience working in the area of competition, regulation and consumer protection.

Mr Evans joined Coimisiún na Meán in July 2023 as the Digital Services Commissioner. The Government decided that An Coimisiún will be designated as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator, implementing and enforcing the EU Regulation known as the Digital Services Act in Ireland. As Digital Services Commissioner, Mr Evans has responsibility, among other things, for:

• Leading, in close co-operation with the Online Safety Commissioner, on the enforcement and implementation of the Digital Services Coordinator’s functions within Coimisiún na Meán Developing the procedures necessary to implement the Digital Services Act, such as the certification procedures for awarding trusted flagger status and vetting researchers regarding access to data.
• Representing the Irish Digital Services Coordinator as member of the European Board of Digital Services.
• Developing effective relationships with Digital Services Coordinators in other Member States.
• Ensuring close cooperation with the European Commission in the enforcement and implementation of the regulation of the Digital Services Act for very large online platforms and search engines.

He holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and Sanitary Engineering from the National University of Engineering, with diplomas in Strategic Business Management from the University of the Pacific and in Business and Finance Management from the University of San Ignacio de Loyola. He also has specialized studies in public service regulation, public-private partnership projects, water treatment systems, quality management, environmental services, and evaluation of public agencies and programs.

He has over 24 years of experience in public administration and seven years in the private sector, with extensive knowledge of public management at the national and regional levels, focusing on housing, drinking water, sanitation, and the environment. He has held prominent positions such as Executive Director of COFOPRI, Executive President of OEFA and SANIPES, and General Director of Programs and Projects at the Ministry of Housing. He has also served as Audit Manager and President of the Claims Court at SUNASS, Head of Economic Studies at INACAL, and advisor to the ministerial office of the MEF, among other strategic roles.

Professor Konstantinos Masselos has been appointed as the President of the Hellenic Telecommunications & Post Commission (EETT) in February 2018 and his mandate has been renewed in February 2022.

Professor Masselos has been elected as Chair of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) for 2023 and also Vice-Chair for 2022 and 2024. Moreover, he served as Vice-Chair of BEREC in 2019.

He is a Professor in the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications of the University of Peloponnese where is also served as Rector during the period 2012-2017. From 2005 to 2008 he was a Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial College London. Also during the period 2010-2016 he was an Honorary Lecturer in the same Department. From 2001-2004 he worked in the telecommunications industry.
Since 2005 he has been collaborating as an expert with various units of the European Commission. Also, he was member of the Scientific Committee of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) from 2015 to 2017.

Latifa Akharbach was appointed President of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) on December 3, 2018.

Ms Akharbach formerly held numerous decision-making positions in Moroccan diplomacy : Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Tunisia and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Bulgaria and Macedonia.

Ms Akharbach has also served as Director of the Moroccan National Radio and Director of the High Institute of Information and Communication where she had previously been Professor and researcher for more than twenty years.

She is an experienced international consultant in the field of journalism, communication and journalists training. She has published several articles, studies and books on media, communication and women’s rights.

Ms Akharbach has a PhD in Information Sciences and Communication.

Lina María Duque del Vecchio is a lawyer from the Pontifical Xavierian University, specializing in Business Law, with a Master’s degree in Law from Externado de Colombia University.

Before assuming her current role, Ms Duque Del Vecchio held various positions at the CRC, including Coordinator of Legal Advisory and Dispute Resolution, Acting Executive Coordinator (General Secretary), Acting Commissioner of the Communications Commission Session, and legal advisor.

As the Coordinator of Dispute Resolution, she managed sensitive and high-impact industry issues that significantly contributed to the effective implementation of regulatory policies, as well as promoting competition and protecting user rights. Thanks to her impeccable management, the CRC was recognized by the National Agency for Legal Defense of the State (ANDJE) as one of the entities with the highest judicial defense success rate, achieving 95% effectiveness.

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.

Mr Mauricio Muñoz Gutiérrez is a Lawyer from the University of Chile with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. Mr Muñoz served as an advisor on public policy matters to former President Michelle Bachelet. He has worked in the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of the General Secretary of the Government, and the Ministry of Education in different governments. Between 2000 and 2005, he served as a legislative and content advisor in the Ministry of the General Secretary of the Presidency. From 2011 to 2014, he worked at the General Comptroller’s Office.

Mauricio Vera Sánchez is Commissioner of the Audiovisual Content Session. He is a Social Communicator and Journalist with a PhD in Social Studies from Universidad Externado de Colombia, and holds specializations in Television from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and in Aesthetics from Universidad Nacional de Colombia. With more than 26 years of experience in academia and the audiovisual sector, he has served as professor and researcher at several universities, including Universidad Externado, UNAD, Universidad del Quindío, and Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina. He has also worked as a director and producer of content at Universidad de Antioquia, Telecafé, and the Caro y Cuervo Institute, and was a member of the Research Group of the Audiovisual Content Observatory of the ANTV. His productions have received national and international recognition, including the India Catalina Awards, Prix Jeunesse International, Japan Prize, the National Culture Award, and the National Scientific Merit Award.

Electronic Engineer from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, with a Master’s in Business Administration and a specialization in Marketing Management from Universidad del Rosario. He has held senior positions at the Communications Regulation Commission of Colombia (CRC), including Commissioner (2020) and Executive Director (2023), and currently serves as Deputy Director of Spectrum Management at the National Spectrum Agency (ANE). He has represented Colombia before ITU, CITEL, and OECD, and lectures in postgraduate programs on Telecommunications Regulation and Emerging Technologies.

Dr. Paolo Lupi heads the Technical-Statistical Analyses Unit in the Technical Analyses and Research Department of AGCOM, the Italian communication regulator, where he has been working since 2001.

With 25 years of experience in regulation and competition analysis in ICT and media sectors, Paolo is currently responsible for the analysis of the Italian Communications System and for defining the Authority’s Better Regulation policies, as well as managing relationships with universities and major research centers.

Throughout his career at AGCOM, Paolo has held several management positions dealing with pluralism and competition in media services, consumer protection, regulation of access markets, and strategic planning. He has participated in the activities of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), having co-chaired several Working Groups over the years, and in OECD as a member of the Italian delegation to the Working Party on Connectivity Services and Infrastructures

Before joining AGCOM Paolo held research positions at the University of Naples (IT) and at the University of York (UK). He holds an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of York (UK) and a post-graduate Diploma in EC Competition Law from King’s College, London. He has published in academic and professional journals on topics related to industrial competition, behavioural economics, telecommunications economics and policy and artificial intelligence.

Philip Marnick is the General Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). He was appointed early January 2022 by the Members of the Board, to assume the position, paving the way for a more effective regulatory framework by continuing the evolution of the telecom sector liberalization.

Mr Marnick leads the TRA, including the development of consumer protection initiatives and resolving disputes. The TRA develops regulatory rules that promote competition, innovation, and investment in broadband services and facilities, as well as developing a more comprehensive and competitive framework that aligns with international best practices. Ensuring that Bahrain remains a center of innovation and that its telecommunications sector serves everyone while supporting Bahrain’s strategic objectives.

Before assuming his role at the TRA, Mr Marnick managed and directed at Ofcom in the UK, where he was the Group Director of Spectrum responsible for all aspects of UK national and international spectrum management – from strategy to delivery including awards, clearance and enforcement. Mr Marnick has worked in the telecommunications sector for over 30 years. He has served as a senior executive in technology, operations, and strategy. Mr Marnick has worked in both start-ups (from inception to sale) and major corporations, in firms such as UK Broadband, O2, Orange, BT, J-Phone in Japan (now Softbank Mobile), Extreme Mobile, and SpinVox (now Nuance).

From analogue to 5G, he has engaged across every mobile generation. Throughout his carrier he has been at the forefront of industry developments – in both fixed and mobile. He has collaborated on the first deployments of mobile networks utilizing new technologies and standards, this has also included innovative products such as the first camera phone and photo messaging service, as well as mobile internet and hosted voice services.

Priscila Lini has a Bachelor’s degree in law, master’s degree, doctorate, and post-doctorate in Economic and Socioenvironmental Law, with a doctorate in Anthropology in progress. She is currently working at the Brazilian National Data Protection Authority, in the Institutional and International Relations department.

Rimini Haraya Makama is the Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management) of the Nigerian Communications Commission. She was confirmed to her position by the Nigerian Senate on 21st May 2024 following her nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on 23rd February 2024.

Ms Makama is an internationally experienced senior executive known for her talent in building trusted advisor relationships with governments. Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation as a commercially minded and politically astute leader. Her significant contributions to transformational shifts in Africa were recognized in 2014 when she was named in the Forbes 20 Youngest Power Women Under 40 in Africa list.

Before assuming her current role in the Nigerian Communications Commission, Ms Makama played various roles at Microsoft from 2016 to 2023, notably as the Government Affairs Director for MEA Emerging Markets. In this capacity, she was instrumental in creating a policy landscape that facilitated the adoption of public cloud technology by the public sector in various markets across MEA. Her central role in defining a digital transformation framework for governments, placing Microsoft solutions at the forefront of public sector technology, stands out as a key achievement.

During her tenure at Microsoft, Ms Makama represented the company’s interests on the Digital Economy Task Force of the US Chamber of Commerce and the SMART Africa Alliance. She also became known for disseminating key messages on AI ethics, notably appearing as an AI policy expert speaker at the UNESCO Forum on Artificial Intelligence in 2018. Her efforts at Microsoft were acknowledged with the Be the Change Award, which celebrates extraordinary contributions.

Ms Makama’s career also includes a significant tenure with Africa Practice as Communications Director for West Africa. In this role, she successfully translated the strategic communication needs of major corporations such as Uber, PayPal, CNN, Google SSA, Bloomberg LP, Sage VIP, Actis West Africa, and The African Union into effective solutions, collaborating closely with high-level government stakeholders. Her work in positioning Blackberry in Nigeria is particularly noteworthy. Prior to africapractice she was Principal Legal Assistant, Office of Legal Affairs – International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) in Lyon, France.

Additionally, Ms Makama has authored numerous articles on technology and AI themes for prominent media outlets such as The Guardian, Financial Times, and Punch etc.

Ms Makama holds an LLM in International Law and World Order from the University of Reading, United Kingdom, an LLB from the University of Jos, Nigeria and has been called to the Nigerian Bar. Non professional interest: film production (Executive Producer: Green White Green (TIFF 2016, Netflix 2017-2019, Amazon currently) & The Lost Okoroshi (TIFF 2019, BFI 2019 – Netflix Worldwide 2020-2022).

Sadi Alfonso Contreras Fuset is Commissioner of the Audiovisual Content Session. He is a Social Communicator from Universidad Externado de Colombia, with advanced studies in Public Administration at the same institution. He holds a specialization in Marketing Management from Universidad de Santander and a Master’s in State Law with emphasis on ICT Regulation, where he also conducted research on audiovisual regulation. With more than 19 years of experience in public management, including 15 in the ICT, education, and cultural sectors, he has led projects in technology, transportation, logistics, and postal services, and has six years of experience in innovation and education. He has also served as a consultant and columnist on television, technology, culture, and public services, publishing in outlets such as Revista Semana and MediaTelecom.

Saul Kattan is a strategist and corporate turnaround specialist, board member and an expert in growth and transformation for a wide range of industries gained over more than 25 years’ experience. He is currently responsible for the digital transformation and cybersecurity of Colombia. He was Chairman of the board of directors of one of the 10 largest companies in Latin America, Ecopetrol, and he led the expansion in the USA of Colombia´s flagship brand, Café Juan Valdez. Mr Kattan also led the transformation of the capital´s telephone company in the deployment of fiber optics, becoming a triple play company (mobile, television ,Internet). He recently orchestrated the acquisition of DirectTV South America, one of the most important media companies in the region.

An electronics engineer with a solid academic background and extensive experience in the field of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). With over 31 years of professional experience, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to work in both the public and private sectors, as well as in his role as an independent consultant. His career has focused on advising on the formulation and execution of public policies and key projects in the telecommunications sector in Colombia.

At the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, he held the position of Technical Director , where he was responsible for radio spectrum management and supported the planning and implementation of policies that boosted telecommunications in the country. More recently, he served as Advisor to the ICT Minister , a position in which he provided strategic support in the design and development of projects, including key issues such as the spectrum auction for the introduction of 5G technology in Colombia, directly contributing to the modernization of the sector.

As a Telecommunications Consultant, he has advised various public and private entities, contributing his experience in the development of projects on radio spectrum management, as well as in the formulation of policies and regulation of the ICT sector.

Shafii Ndanusa is a finance professional with extensive experience in telecoms regulation, accounting, audit, funds management, financial analysis, and economic analysis. He is currently the Deputy Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis at the Nigerian Communications Commission. His current roles include; coordinating regular industry performance analyses, monitoring competition trends, and the planning/co-ordination of financial health checks on telecom operators and licensees in Nigeria. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA, U.K.), as well as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN, Nigeria).

In his current role, Mr. Carter leads the CRTC’s work on social and consumer policy; data collection and market intelligence; as well as strategic planning and domestic and international collaboration. He also plays a key leadership role in dealing with significant legislative change.

Over his 28 years at the CRTC, he has had the opportunity to lead or work on many of the most significant Broadcasting and Telecommunications decisions made by the CRTC. He has also authored or co-authored a number of CRTC reports and other publications, including its 2018 Harnessing Change report.

Mr. Carter holds degrees in mass media communications and English literature from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s degree in communications from Carleton University.

An engineer of the “Corps des Mines,” a graduate of the École Polytechnique and the Institut d’études politiques de Paris, Xavier Merlin had been the head of the Inter-ministerial task force on simplifying businesses’ administrative procedures and legal publicity since 2019.

Mr Merlin began his career in 1996 at the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry’s Department of Forecasting, where he was in charge of economic studies on the internet, audiovisual media, telecommunications and competition. In 1998, he joined that ministry’s Department of External Economic Relations, and tasked with multilateral e-commerce, audiovisual media, telecommunications and postal negotiations. Appointed technical advisor to Catherine Tasca, then France’s Minister of Culture and Communication, in 2000, he became Director of European and International Affairs at the French National Centre of Cinema (CNC) in 2002. In 2008, the joined the Directorate-General for Enterprise (DGE) as the Assistant Director of Institutional relations, in the areas of information technologies and the information society. Assistant Director of Regulation and European and multilateral affairs for the DGE starting in 2009, he was appointed head of the Territorial, European and International Action Department in 2014.