North America Digital Communications and Media Forum, Washington D.C.

Adam Cassady was appointed as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on March 16, 2025. In this capacity, he provides advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information in the formulation, development, and implementation of telecommunications and information policies of the Executive Branch.

Prior to his appointment at NTIA, Mr. Cassady served for over four years at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for Commissioner Nathan Simington. Most recently, Mr. Cassady served as Chief of Staff to Commissioner Simington, and prior to that as Commissioner Simington’s Senior Legal Advisor, managing a variety of telecommunications and technology portfolios.

Prior to joining the FCC, Cassady co-founded a technology firm focused on delivering enterprise machine learning solutions. He holds a law degree from the University of Chicago Law School and a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University.

Ajit Pai joined CTIA as its President and CEO in April 2025.  He joined CTIA from Searchlight Capital Partners, a leading global private investment firm, where he has been a partner since 2021. Prior to Searchlight, Mr. Pai had a distinguished public service career at the Federal Communications Commission. He was designated FCC Chairman by President Donald Trump, and during his tenure, he implemented major initiatives to help close the digital divide, promote U.S. leadership in 5G, encourage innovation, and safeguard consumers and national security. Mr. Pai was appointed to the FCC as Commissioner in 2012 by President Barack Obama. Mr. Pai graduated with honors from Harvard University and from the University of Chicago Law School.

Experienced regulatory expert and researcher. Currently serves as the Deputy Head of the International Affairs Office at the Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL). Holds a PhD and an MSc in Electrical Engineering from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), a graduate degree in Telecommunications Regulation from the National Institute of Telecommunications (INATEL), and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Brasília (UnB). Has served as a Delegate or Head of Delegation for Brazil in meetings of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (G20 DEWG), the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO), the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the BRICS Information and Communication Technologies Working Group (BRICS ICT WG). Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Member of the Brazilian Telecommunications Society (SBrT).

Mr Rosen has expertise across the full spectrum of regulatory, competition, telecommunications and compliance matters encountered by businesses operating in and around the digital, tech and media space. He has spent time in-house at one of the world’s most prominent tech companies and bring expertise, insight and a highly commercial understanding of client requirements and deliver business focused advice.

Earlier in Anthony’s career, he worked at a leading communications regulator which afforded him a valuable insight into the regulatory process as well as a solid foundation in UK and EU telco regulation. Anthony is well placed to advise on compliance, market studies, mergers, sector inquiries as well as the fast-changing regulatory landscape. Anthony also has extensive regulatory litigation experience having worked on appeals before the Competition Appeal Tribunal as well as disputes.

Mr Rosen has a keen interest in evolving international OTT and Platform regulation as regulators seek to keep pace with the constant innovation in the dynamic tech sector and the challenges of the Data economy.  Anthony enjoys the constant intellectual challenge this provides, advising clients on the application of current and future laws to emerging technologies and helping them to deliver their strategic priorities.

Arpan will serve as Senior Counsel to FCC Chairman Carr on matters before the Wireless Bureau, the Space Bureau, the Office of Engineering and Technology, and the Office of International Affairs. In this role, he will direct and oversee the agency’s domestic and international policy work in the areas of spectrum, space, and technology. Arpan will separately hold the position of Chief AI Officer, where he will lead strategic efforts to harness AI responsibly as the FCC seeks to serve the public more effectively through digital modernization. Before joining then-Commissioner Carr’s office in 2024, Arpan served as Senior Counsel to the Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Prior to public service, he represented telecom and tech companies in complex regulatory and litigation matters for more than a decade at Hogan Lovells, Sprint, and Arnold & Porter. Arpan graduated with distinction from William & Mary Law School and earned three undergraduate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, including a B.S. in Computer Science. He will report directly to Chairman C

Becky Tangren is Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, North America at Nokia, where she develops and advocates Nokia’s legal and policy positions. Prior to joining Nokia, Becky advocated on public policy issues of competitive importance to the cable industry, as Vice President & Associate General Counsel at NCTA – The Internet & Television Association and as Director, Technology Policy at CableLabs. Preceding her roles in the cable industry, Becky spent ten years in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), holding the positions of Senior Policy Advisor, and Legal Advisor to the Office of the Bureau Chief, and Attorney Advisor in the Mobility Division.  Becky also worked as Director of Regulatory and Government Affairs at the Telecommunications Industry Association.  After earning degrees in Public Relations and Political Science from the Pennsylvania State University, Becky attended the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America, where she received a J.D. and a certificate in Communications Law.

Bill Davenport is Senior Director, Connectivity and Technology Policy at Cisco Systems, Inc. In this role, Bill leads Cisco’s global strategy on communications policy issues and oversees the company’s public policy initiatives on the role of artificial intelligence in communications networks. He advises and represents Cisco on a broad range of U.S. and international telecommunications issues, including wireless spectrum management, universal service, and technology regulation.

Prior to joining Cisco in May 2022, Bill served at the Federal Communications Commission as Chief of Staff and Senior Legal Advisor to Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, where he managed the office’s operations and provided counsel on wireless and international policy matters. He has also held senior leadership positions within the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, including overseeing the agency’s spectrum enforcement investigations.

In addition to his government service, Bill has held senior executive roles at a satellite communications company and worked as an associate at two major law firms.

Bill Guidera serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Services performing the non-exclusive duties of the Assistant Secretary for Industry & Analysis in the International Trade Administration, where he and his team drive the policy conditions for U.S. digital, financial, supply chain, and other services industries to innovate at home and around the world.

Previously, Mr.Guidera led government and public affairs programs within companies like PrizePicks, Netflix, 21st Century Fox, and Microsoft in federal, state and international arenas. His experience includes specializations in law, public policy, communications, entertainment and internet law.

Originally from Minnesota, Guidera was educated at Bates College and the George Mason University School of Law (now the Scalia Law School).

Cheryl Miller is Vice President of Digital Policy. Miller is an accomplished technology executive and a strong advocate for a safe, secure, interoperable and open Internet. She joined USCIB in 2024 and brought with her a broad range of experience in the digital space across government agencies, the private sector and the nonprofit sector.

Ms Miller’s experience in government includes serving as Assistant Chief Counsel for Telecommunications and Technology and the US Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, and Deputy Staff Director for Technology and Innovation for the US Senate’s Small Business Committee. In both roles she worked closely with key agencies such as the FCC, FTC, DOJ, and US State Department on key regulatory and legislative issues in the digital space.

Her previous private sector roles include serving as the Director of International Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs for Verizon, an International Organizations Policy Manager for Meta, and a Manager for Regulatory Affairs at France Telecom. She has also served as a private sector member of the United Nations’ Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) for the Internet Governance Forum, a Vice Chair for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN’s) NomCom Committee which reviews and selects ICANN board members and has been a part of numerus international delegations on digital issues.

Ms Miller is also a former professor at The George Washington University, where she helped to launch their Intellectual Property Law Program as part of their Paralegal Studies Program. She is dedicated to helping disadvantaged students access advanced technology, and in her past role as Executive Director of the Kuma Foundation, helped to launch their first Kuma Lab in Pune, India.

Ms Miller is a graduate of Georgetown University and received her law degree from the Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law.

Chris Laughlin leads the FCC Wireline Bureau’s robocall-related work, including STIR/SHAKEN and other call authentication requirements and oversight of the Robocall Mitigation Database. Chris also works closely with his colleagues’ on issues that intersect with the FCC’s efforts to combat robocalls and other fraud, including numbering administration, interconnection, IP transition, service classification, and CPNI issues. Prior to joining the FCC, Chris worked in the private sector advising communications and technology sector clients on regulatory compliance, enforcement, policy advocacy, litigation, and transactional matters before the FCC, FTC, NTIA, federal courts, Congress, and state public utility commissions. His areas of focus included robocalls, broadband deployment, spectrum, universal service, and privacy. Chris also served as an attorney and teaching fellow in legal clinic at Georgetown University Law Center, where he advised non-profit organizations on legal, regulatory, and policy matters concerning telecommunications, media, and technology issues before the FCC, FTC, FEC, and federal appellate courts. Chris earned his B.A. from the University of Colorado Denver, his J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School, and an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Chris is responsible for cybersecurity and supply chain security policy at Verizon, as well as consumer protection issues relating to fraudulent robocalls and text messaging. Prior to Verizon, Chris was an antitrust litigator at Covington & Burling in Washington, DC, and his early career included stints at major law firms in Brussels and Mexico City. Before attending law school, he worked as an economic consultant, providing antitrust analysis to risk arbitrage hedge funds.

Chris received his law degree, magna cum laude, from Georgetown, where he also earned a Master of Science in Foreign Service. He studied undergraduate economics at the University of Massachusetts.

Ambassador David Gross co-chairs Wiley’s Telecom, Media & Technology Practice. He is widely recognised as one of the world’s foremost experts on international telecommunications and Internet policies, having addressed the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and led more U.S. delegations to major international telecommunication conferences than anyone else in modern history. Noted as bringing “innovation and vision to the rapidly changing TMT industry” by Who’s Who Legal and as one of the “Top 30 Telecommunications lawyers in the world” by Euromoney, Ambassador Gross draws on more than 30 years of experience as a lawyer, global policymaker, and corporate executive to assist US companies seeking to enter or expand international businesses. He also advises non-US companies, and industry organizations seeking to invest in, monitor, and understand the US and international markets, as well as national governments. Ambassador Gross advises companies and others on international and domestic telecoms, Internet, and high-tech strategy focusing on both specific markets and international organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), as well as many regional organisations.

David has spent 35 years of working in the telecom industry working in a variety of executive and technical leadership positions across the public and private sectors. Most recently as Group Director Spectrum at Ofcom, President of the Communications Research Centre (Canada), and Senior Director for Spectrum Engineering at Innovation Science and Economic Development (Canada).  Prior to that David held significant product leadership roles in BlackBerry’s handset business and Nortel’s Optical and Network Management business units.

Elizabeth Oluoch has extensive experience developing and driving strategies to promote a global interoperable Internet in intergovernmental fora. As the Government and IGO Engagement Director (UN/ITU) at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), she provides leadership in engagement with permanent delegations to the United Nations and ITU Member States.

Prior to joining ICANN in August 2022, Ms Oluoch worked at the Internet Society for more than a decade, where she served in various capacities in the Public Policy team, including leading the organization’s engagement at the UN and ITU, as well as liaising with Technical/Operational communities and Civil Society organizations on Internet related matters. She also oversaw the IETF Policymakers Program, an interactive training program, which brought governments to an IETF meeting to strengthen their knowledge of the Internet’s operations and the IETF standards development process.

Ms Oluoch holds a Master’s degree in public policy from American University in Washington DC.

Emma Sävenborg works as Director of Government and Policy Advocacy for the Americas at Ericsson, and is the global policy lead on trade and supply chain issues. Before joining Ericsson, she served as Senior Adviser for 5 years at the National Board of Trade Sweden and held roles whitin public policy in Brussels. Emma has an MSc in Political Economy from the London School of Economics.

Evelyn Remaley has been a recognized leader in the government and private sector – spearheading efforts on broadband funding, cybersecurity and spectrum management.  Evelyn provides strategy, program management, and the ability to communicate complex subjects to her clients.  She has a unique perspective that can help communications and technology companies meet evolving legal and regulatory challenges.

Evelyn most recently 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.  Ms. Remaley 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.

Evelyn, her husband and three children love travel, nature and adventure. During her downtime (if not at a baseball, lacrosse or crew meet!) you are likely to find her hiking, biking, or planning their next national park or world adventure.

Fiona is a former government executive with extensive experience and globally diverse contacts in international Internet, telecommunications, and emerging technology policy.

Fiona served for close to 20 years at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce where she was Associate Administrator for International Affairs.  She also managed the U.S. government’s relationship with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and is NTIA’s sole Presidential Rank Award winner for her leadership in the privatization of the Internet’s domain name system.

Fiona also serves as Distinguished Policy Strategist in Residence in the School of International Service and Distinguished Fellow at the Internet Governance Lab at American University.

Giulia McHenry currently serves as Senior Vice President for Public Policy at AT&T where she is responsible for developing AT&T’s positions on federal and state legislation and regulations affecting the company.

Giulia previously served as Chief of the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). She led an interdisciplinary team of professionals responsible for enhancing the use of economic analysis in Commission policy-making, developing and implementing FCC auctions, and ensuring consistent and effective agency-wide data practices and policies. In 2018, Giulia was appointed by former Chair Ajit Pai to stand up and lead the OEA and remained Chief under Chair Jessica Rosenworcel.

Prior to that she served as Chief Economist of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration under U.S. Department of Commerce Secretaries Penny Pritzker and Wilbur Ross.

Giulia received her Ph.D. in economics from the University of Maryland in 2009. She specialized in microeconomics, both applied and empirical methods, focusing on network theory and industrial organization.

She resides in Washington, DC with her husband former U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry and their three children.

Ms. Koh comes to Ciena with significant experience in government. She held the title of U.S. Ambassador, while serving as the U.S. Representative and Head of Delegation to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC -19). In this role, she negotiated for favorable outcomes for the United States on spectrum policy and allocation. She has also served as Special Assistant to the President for Technology, Telecom, and Cybersecurity Policy at the National Economic Council, coordinating policy and advising the White House on these matters.  Ms. Koh previously served as Deputy Chief Counsel to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology in the U.S. House of Representatives.  In this role, she advised the chair and committee members on policy and legal issues arising in the telecommunications and technology sectors.

Ms. Koh has also worked in various positions in the private sector, including as a partner in DLA Piper LLP, an associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. She also worked for Cox Enterprises as Policy Counsel, advising the company and its subsidiaries on telecom and technology policy developments in Washington, D.C. Before joining Ciena, she led the U.S. office for government relations at Nokia.

Ms. Koh received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from Yale University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Heather Hendrickson joined Somos in April to lead the company’s strategy and operations for number administration. In this role, she ensures regulatory compliance and drives policy initiatives that promote industry advancement at both the federal and state levels. Prior to joining Somos, Heather served nearly two decades at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where she helped shape national broadband and numbering policy. Her tenure included oversight of major regulatory programs and leadership of numerous high-impact rulemakings. Before her public service, Heather practiced communications law in the private sector, advising clients on a broad range of issues before the FCC and state public utility commissions. Her work spanned rulemaking proceedings, enforcement actions, and intercarrier arbitrations.

Heba Shams is a law and public policy executive with over 20 years of leadership experience across the public and private sectors. She currently serves as Vice President for Multilateral and International Affairs at Mastercard, where she leads multilateral engagement, shaping global conversations on payments, digital development, and financial inclusion.

Prior to joining Mastercard, Heba spent over 15 years at the World Bank, where she held senior roles driving financial sector development, investment policy, and regulatory reform across East & North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Pacific. Her expertise in diplomacy, public affairs, and risk management has positioned her as a key player in navigating complex policy environments and fostering collaboration between governments, international organizations, and the private sector. Heba holds a PhD in Law from the University of London.

Jennifer Chung is the Vice President, Policy for DotAsia Organisation. She represents .Asia Registry at ICANN and is the GNSO Vice Chair. Previously, she headed the ICG Secretariat that oversaw the IANA stewardship transfer from the US to the global multistakeholder community.

Ms. Chung is currently serving as the co-convenor of the Informal Multistakeholder Sounding Board for the WSIS+20 review. She is appointed to the IGF MAG (2025, 2018-2020), and the 2022 Expert Working Group that developed recommendations on strengthening the IGF. She heads the IGFSA Secretariat which provides support to the IGF and grants to National, Regional and Youth Initiatives. She serves in the APrIGF Secretariat and amplifies APAC contributions on Internet governance.

Ms. Chung is on the ISIF.asia Committee that awards grants supporting Internet development in APAC.  She is in the core Secretariat of TCCM, a group of critical Internet infrastructure operators dedicated to strengthening the multistakeholder approach to Internet governance. She works on IDN policies and supports Universal Acceptance, a foundation for a multilingual Internet.

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.

John Perrino is the U.S. policy lead for the Internet Society, collaborating with partners and policymakers worldwide to promote an open, secure, and trustworthy Internet for everyone.

Previously, Perrino served as policy lead at the Stanford Internet Observatory, focusing on grounding online safety policy in research and technical reality. Before joining Stanford, he managed cybersecurity public affairs at the Glen Echo Group. He began his career as an Internet Education Foundation fellow, organizing Capitol Hill briefings and the State of the Net conference.

Perrino earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from George Washington University in political communication and public administration. His commentary and analysis have been cited in government reports and featured by numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Wired, The Hill, and Tech Policy Press.

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.

Ms. Leslie Beavers is a distinguished senior executive, strategic leader, and U.S. Air Force Brigadier General (Ret.) with over three decades of experience at the nexus of technology governance, national security, and digital transformation. She is a renowned expert in cybersecurity, large-scale systems integration, and process accountability. As the former Acting Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Ms. Beavers directed policy and oversight for a $60 billion annual IT portfolio, commanding one of the world’s largest and most complex information enterprises.

While at the Department of Defense, she provided executive leadership for the DoD’s digital modernization, cybersecurity, and cloud adoption strategies, including the Fulcrum IT Advancement Strategy and the Defense Intelligence Digital Transformation Campaign Plan (Project Herald).

A certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, her expertise lies in converting abstract, high-level policy into durable, measurable capability—a crucial skill for regulators. She draws on extensive experience in international operations (Joint Staff J2) and complex, high-stakes transformation, including the media sector, where she led the massive digital preservation of 80 years of film and television library content for NBC/Universal Pictures. Ms. Beavers also holds an MBA in Finance and serves on the Academy Securities Investment Bank Advisory Board.

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.

Matt Pearl is the director of the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He joined CSIS in January 2025 after more than 14 years of federal government service. Until August 2024, he was director for emerging technologies and special advisor to the deputy national security advisor at the National Security Council, where he focused on technology and telecommunications issues. Prior to that, Matt was an associate bureau chief at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where he was responsible for managing wireless policy, including overseeing many of the largest spectrum transitions and auctions in history. Before joining the FCC, he worked as a law clerk for Judge Harris Hartz of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Prior to that, he was a law clerk for Judge Lawrence Kahn of the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. From 2014 to 2020, Matt was a research affiliate at the Berkman-Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, where he was part of an effort to advance networking technologies. Matt earned his JD at Yale Law School, where he served as a submissions editor for the Yale Journal on Regulation.

Ms. Russell joined NTIA’s Office of Policy Analysis and Development in November 2020. Known for her expertise in countering transnational organized crime and strengthening supply chain security, Maureen leads NTIA’s policy development in cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, foreign investment risk, wireless technology standards development, data centers, and geopolitical risks. Prior to NTIA, Ms. Russell spent over a decade as a national security consultant, supporting senior leaders within the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and State. Maureen facilitated foreign and domestic policy implementation regarding countering transnational organized crime, developed global strategies to promote information sharing between the US government and members of the US private sector, and organized multi-nation delegations to meet with security partners in Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the Caribbean. Maureen graduated from Saint Mary’s College and went on to receive a Master’s in International Relations from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.

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.

Olivia Trusty was nominated to serve as a Commissioner of the FCC by President Donald J. Trump. She was confirmed by the United States Senate in June 2025.

Prior to joining the Commission, Commissioner Trusty served as a Professional Staff Member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services under the leadership of U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker. She previously served as a Policy Director on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a Legislative Assistant in the Office of U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker. Before her tenure as a Senate aide, Commissioner Trusty served as a Professional Staff Member on the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Bob Latta. Commissioner Trusty began her career in the private sector.

Commissioner Trusty received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her M.A. from Georgetown University.

Pau Puig Gabarró  holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Telecommunications Engineering, as well as a Postgraduate Degree in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in International Business Administration. Since 2016 he has worked at the Inter-American Development Bank as a Telecommunications Specialist, supporting governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to reform public policies in digital technologies and to plan and execute investments in telecommunications infrastructure.

Ambassador Steve Lang is a veteran diplomat and international tech policy leader.  He is currently a senior advisor with Crest Hill Advisors and a non-resident senior associate with the Center for Strategic International Studies.  He was confirmed by the Senate as U.S. Coordinator of International Communications and Information Policy with the rank of Ambassador on May 14, 2024, and served in that role until July 25, 2025.  He concurrently served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Information and Communications Policy from November 2022.  As Coordinator, Ambassador Lang spearheaded U.S. engagement on digital policy issues and promoting trusted ICT infrastructure.  He also led the U.S. delegation to numerous international negotiations, including the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference.

Previously, he served as the Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs at U.S. Embassy Tokyo (2020-2022) and in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs’ Office of International Communication and Information Policy (2015-2018).  From 2013 to 2015, Steve was the Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.  He served as Deputy Director of the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs at the Department of State (2011-2013) and as a Senior Analyst in the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office of Japan, Korea, and APEC Affairs (2010-2011).  Other tours include the Guangzhou, China; Taipei, Taiwan; Bangkok, Thailand; and Havana, Cuba.

For the past 30 years, Stephen Balkam has had a wide range of leadership roles in the nonprofit sector in both the US and UK. He is currently the Founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), an international, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, DC. FOSI’s mission is to make the online world safer for kids and their families. FOSI convenes the top thinkers and practitioners in government, industry and the nonprofit sectors to collaborate and innovate and to create a “culture of responsibility” in the online world.

Prior to FOSI, Stephen was the Founder and CEO of the Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA) and led a team which developed the world’s leading content labeling system on the web. While with ICRA, Stephen served on the US Child Online Protection Commission (COPA) in 2000 and was named one of the Top 50 UK Movers and Shakers, Internet Magazine, 2001.

Wes Platt currently serves as the Chief of the FCC’s Consumer Policy Division.  Prior to this role, he held several leadership positions in the Wireless Bureau and served on detail as FCC Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.  Before returning to public service, Wes was a Senior Associate in Hogan Lovells’ Communications, Internet, and Media practice.  He began his legal career as an attorney in the FCC’s Wireline Bureau following a federal clerkship.  Wes received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and his B.A  from the University of Florida.

Will Johnson leads Verizon’s federal regulatory and international public policy teams and has responsibility for representing Verizon on a wide range of regulatory and policy issues, including spectrum policy, broadband regulation, and network transformation. Before joining Verizon in 2004, Will was a litigator at Hogan & Hartson in Washington, DC, and before that at Long, Aldridge & Norman in Atlanta, GA. He also clerked for Chief Judge R. Lanier Anderson and for Judge Ed Carnes, each on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Will currently serves on several boards, including the Emory College Alumni Board, the International Institute of Communications, the Media Institute, and the National Exchange Carriers Association. He previously served as Chairman of the Board for Miriam’s Kitchen, a nonprofit aimed at ending chronic homelessness in Washington, D.C

Will Maxson is an Assistant Director of the FTC’s Division of Marketing Practices, where he previously served as Staff Attorney and Program Manager for Do Not Call Enforcement. Before joining the FTC, Mr. Maxson was a litigation associate at Jones Day and at Wiley Rein. He also served as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Danny Reeves. Mr. Maxson received a BA from Vanderbilt University and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School.

Zaid A. Zaid is Director, Head of U.S. Public Policy at Cloudflare, where he leads the company’s public advocacy efforts with the U.S. government, think tanks, and industry groups. He has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. In 2023, Zaid launched Cloudflare’s Project Cybersafe Schools at the White House, a program that provides free cybersecurity services to small public school districts across the United States. Before joining Cloudflare, Zaid was the Head of Strategic Response Policy for North America at Meta, where he managed crisis responses to high profile issues involving U.S. politics, elections, and other sensitive incident responses. During his time in the Obama Administration, Zaid served as Special Assistant to the President and Associate White House Counsel where he advised senior officials on policy, risk management, and congressional investigations, and represented a witness before the Congressional Select Committee on Benghazi. He also worked as Senior Attorney Advisor at USAID, where he addressed sensitive issues like an alleged covert action program in Cuba, counter-terrorism vetting policies, and LGBTI inclusion. In private practice at WilmerHale, Zaid handled internal investigations for clients across the United States, Europe, and Asia, and maintained an active pro bono practice. Zaid’s diplomatic career includes serving as a political officer during the U.S. invasion of Iraq, where he worked as a liaison between the Coalition Provisional Authority and the Iraqi Governing Council. He also served at U.S. Embassy Baghdad, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, U.S. Embassy Cairo, and he studied Arabic at the Foreign Service Institute in Tunis. Zaid is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a Truman National Security Project fellow, and a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. He also chairs the Advisory Committee for the Council of Global Equality and serves on the board of the HALO Trust USA. Zaid earned degrees from Columbia Law School, the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where he currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board. Zaid lives in Washington, D.C. with his husband and their three children.