Washington DC Telecommunications and Media Forum 2022 (In-Person)

Donna Epps is Verizon’s Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Strategic Alliances. A proven leader and exceptional advocate, she is responsible for developing Verizon’s strategic public policy positions both domestically and abroad. She is responsible for the company’s public policy position on a wide-range of critical issues, including 5G, consumer privacy, broadband, competition, and consumer protection. Additionally, Donna leads Verizon’s Strategic Alliances team where she is responsible for managing the company’s relationships with national policy and advocacy organizations representing a myriad of diverse consumer interests. Donna also previously led Verizon’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Legal team, which included the Chief Privacy Officer and covered all privacy and cybersecurity policy and compliance-related matters She currently represents the company before the White House, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Congress.

Donna is a seasoned government relations executive with over 20 years of public policy, public affairs, and corporate social responsibility experience. She has extensive knowledge of federal government regulatory processes and specializes in technology policy issues. She is an innovative thought leader with an established track record for leading high-impact, strategic policy initiatives and campaigns. She excels in building diverse external coalitions to advance short and long-term business objectives.

Donna Epps is a dynamic communicator, who drives cohesive, cross-functional collaboration internally and externally with key stakeholders. She has skillfully leveraged consumer and community partnerships to drive policy advocacy and social impact.

Ms Epps also leads Verizon’s engagement on key societal policy issues impacting diverse communities. She advises C-Suite leaders on successfully navigating the increasingly complex and shifting policy landscape related to high-profile social issues. She has strengthened Verizon’s reputation with key influencers in the public and private sectors by leading programmatic initiatives to address the policy concerns of Verizon’s diverse set of stakeholders.

Ms Epps serves on the Board of Trustees for the National Urban League, the Corporate Advisory Board of UnidosUS, and she Co-Chairs the Advisory Board of the Center for Democracy and Technology, an international think tank that uses technology policy to shape democratic values. She previously served on the FCC’s Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment.

Before joining Verizon, Ms Epps was in private practice at Covington & Burling LLP, an international law firm. She was also a law clerk for Judge Audrey B. Collins of the U.S. District

Jessica Rosenworcel, Acting Chairwoman at Federal Communications Commission, believes that the future belongs to the connected. She works to promote greater opportunity, accessibility, and affordability in our communications services in order to ensure that all Americans get a fair shot at 21st century success. She believes strong communications markets can foster economic growth and security, enhance digital age opportunity, and enrich our civic life.

From fighting to protect net neutrality to ensuring access to the internet for students caught in the Homework Gap, Ms Rosenworcel has been a consistent champion for connecting all. She is a leader in spectrum policy, developing new ways to support wireless services from Wi-Fi to video and the internet of things. She also is responsible for developing policies to help expand the reach of broadband to schools, libraries, hospitals, and households across the country.

Named as one of POLITICO’s 50 Politicos to Watch and profiled by InStyle Magazine in a series celebrating “women who show up, speak up and get things done,” Ms Rosenworcel brings over two decades of communications policy experience and public service to the FCC. Prior to joining the agency, she served as Senior Communications Counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, under the leadership of Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and Senator Daniel Inouye. Before entering public service, Ms Rosenworcel practiced communications law in Washington, DC.

Ms Rosenworcel is a graduate of Wesleyan University and New York University School of Law.

Aidan McCartan is an External Affairs Specialist at Millicom (Tigo). For the past eight years, he has had a leading role in driving forward the company’s purpose of building digital highways that connect people, improve lives, and develop communities. Aidan’s primary focus is on government relations and regulatory matters, supporting the development and implementation of Millicom’s public policy agenda as it relates to key issues such as spectrum, taxation, freedom of expression, privacy, and security. He is the lead for Millicom’s interactions with US governmental agencies, the US Chamber of Commerce, the InterAmerican Development Bank, and US embassies in Latin America. Before joining Millicom, Mr McCartan worked at Deustche Bank in both Ireland and the UK.

Mr McCartan holds a Master of Arts in Modern European Languages (French and Spanish) & European Union Studies from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Aimee Meacham is BT’s Vice President Government Affairs, US and International. She leads BT’s policy engagement in Washington, focusing on technology, communications, innovation, and trade issues. Prior to joining BT, Aimee served as the Deputy Associate Administrator for International Affairs at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). In that role, she advised senior officials and led information and communications technology policy engagement on a variety of issues at multilateral and multistakeholder fora.

Previously, Ms Meacham worked in a variety of roles at NTIA to expand broadband connectivity and digital equity in the US. Before joining NTIA, she spent time in private legal practice working on regulatory and transactional matters.

Alicia Tambe is currently Head of International Organizations for Connectivity & Inclusion at Meta. In her role, she leads Meta’s connectivity efforts with international organizations across the globe to advance digital inclusion and affordable and reliable internet access initiatives. She works with policymakers, industry, and other stakeholders to develop strategies for ICTs as a tool for development.

Prior to joining Meta, Ms Tambe was Regulatory Counsel at SES, where she worked on global satellite and connectivity regulatory issues, and she has served as Counsel and Regional Specialist for Africa in the International Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Ms Tambe has also served as Law Clerk in the Office of the White House Counsel as well as Law Clerk to the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Ms Tambe is a licensed attorney who holds a Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University, a Master of Arts in Sustainable International Development from the Heller School of Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany.

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.

Amir Algibreen is Group Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer for Saudi Telecom company (STC) , with more than 25 years of experience in the ICT field , certified regulatory expert with wide experience in ICT strategic development, market and competition analysis, ICT laws and regulations and policies.

Mr Algibreen has more than 16 years of experience within CITC (Saudi ICT regulator) on several functions, posts, and leading positions. He also worked for AT&T and Lucent technologies in marketing and sales before joining CITC.

Angela Thi Bennett, a new addition to NTIA’s growing team, will direct the allocation of the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Program and help develop guidelines for states to strategically utilize these funds to have a transformative impact in their communities. Ms Bennett said of her new role, “As my ability to serve scales to the national level, I remain steadfastly committed to amplifying marginalized voices, empowering local communities to drive solutions, and creating shared standards of metrics to inform interventions and create accountability.”

Throughout her career, Ms Bennett has focused on community work and improving the quality of life in her Cleveland and greater Ohio communities. Her vast community and public sector experience include leading East Cleveland’s department of community and economic development, serving as Superintendent of a community school in Cleveland, and the Ohio State Board of Education. In her previous work at a community-based internet service provider, she was instrumental in growing the customer base and helping over 1,500 individuals benefit from affordable digital access during the height of the pandemic. Angela is an advocate and ambassador for equity and inclusion, using her network and voice to elicit social change.

Angie Kronenberg is chief advocate and general counsel at INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, based in Washington, D.C.  Ms Kronenberg manages the INCOMPAS policy team and its work before the federal government. FierceTelecom named Angie a “Rising Star in Wireline” in 2014 and one of the Top Women in Wireline in 2015 for her advocacy work on behalf of INCOMPAS members. Angie is a member of the Federal Communications Bar Association and has been involved in its leadership as a former Executive Committee and Nominations Committee member.

Before joining INCOMPAS, Ms Kronenberg was legal advisor to FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, where she was primarily responsible for the Commissioner’s wireline and broadband agenda, including the Commissioner’s work as chair of three federal-state joint boards. Prior to that, Angie was a special counsel in the Spectrum and Competition Policy Division of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. She also practiced telecommunications and media law in the Washington, D.C. office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP for more than a decade.

Ms Kronenberg earned a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America, where she also earned a certification from The Institute for Communications Law Studies, and she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Baylor University and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Ann LaFrance retired from Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP on 30 June 2022.  She was a senior partner in the New York office of Squire Patton Boggs and a founding member of the Firm’s global Data Practice. She was also an active participant in the Firm’s Communications Law Practice. Her experience covers a broad range of issues affecting the provision and regulation of advanced digital services and applications in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and the Caribbean.

Ms LaFrance began her legal career in 1980 with Squire in Washington, DC, where her practice focused on US and international telecommunications transactions, regulation and legislation. In 1996, she moved in-house to work as Chief International Counsel of MCI Communications Corp. (now Verizon), based in Washington, Brussels and London. Following her return to private practice in the Firm’s London office in 2004, she has advised a broad range of tech, telecom and multinational clients operating across a variety of sectors, as well as government and regulatory bodies, on data protection policy, GDPR compliance, international transfer agreements, AI ethical guidelines, blockchain, regulation of dominant operators, and the interplay between regulated “electronic communications” status and privacy laws in Europe, the U.S. and around the globe. Since her return to the U.S. in 2019, Ms LaFrance continues to advise on complex cross-border data protection, e-privacy and cybersecurity matters, including transfer risk assessments post Schrems II and integrated approaches to global data protection compliance. She is currently advising clients on the new wave of U.S. state privacy laws that will take effect in 2023.

Ms LaFrance served as the Firm’s first Data Protection Officer in the UK and the EU and on the Firm’s data governance board. She is a Member of the Board of the International Institute of Communications and currently serves as its Vice President.

She is admitted to practice in New York, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia and is a Registered Foreign Lawyer in England and Wales.

Professor Antonio García Zaballos is Lead Specialist on telecommunications in Institutions for Development and also leader of the broadband initiative. He has more than 15 years’ experience in the telecommunications sector where he has worked for various companies.

Additionally, Professor García Zaballos is member of the steering committee at the IEEE on connectivity and the Internet for All Initiative at the World Economic Forum. He has an extensive experience in the telecom sector where has been working in different positions of responsibility.

At Deloitte Spain he led the practice of regulation and strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean, and previously he was the Head of the Cabinet for Economic Studies of Regulation in Telefónica of Spain, and also was Deputy Director of Economic Analysis and Markets at the Spanish Telecom Regulator (CMT). Professor García Zaballos has provided advisory services to Regulators, Telecom Operators and Governments in countries such as Saudi Arabia, China, Ecuador, Argentina, Dominican Rep., Paraguay, Polonia, and the Czech Rep.

Professor García Zaballos holds a PhD in Economics from the University Carlos III of Madrid and is an associated professor of applied finance to Telecommunications at the Instituto de Empresa Business School. He is author of several publications on economic and regulatory aspects of telecommunications.

April McClain-Delaney joined National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”) in January 2022, and as Deputy Administer guides multiple communications and technology matters. These include expanding access to affordable, high-speed internet to all Americans, spectrum management, privacy and internet governance, NG-911 and public safety communications and international matters related to spectrum, orbital resources and the ITU.

Prior to NTIA, Ms McClain-Delaney served for 15 years as the Washington Director of the non-profit Common Sense Media focusing on policies related to expanding digital literacy education, bridging the digital divide for our nation’s children, and enhancing on-line privacy protections for youth. Previously she was Director of Regulatory Affairs for Orion Network Systems/Satellite supervising their regulatory and licensing efforts in 20 plus countries and was a founding member of the International Satellite Association. She started her legal career at Cohn & Marks specializing in cable and broadcast matters. In addition to her professional endeavors, she has served on numerous boards and councils including the International Center for Research on Women; Meridian International Center Women’s Leadership Council; Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security; Georgetown Law Center (past chair); Northwestern University Board of Trustees; Innocents at Risk; Children’s National Hospital Foundation Board; and the Congressional Club (Congressional Spouses).

Ms McClain-Delaney received her BS in Communications Studies from Northwestern University and her JD from Georgetown Law Center and is a member of DC Bar and the Federal Communications Bar Association.

Brian Adkins is Lumen’s Vice President of Federal Government Affairs, leading the company’s advocacy and political engagement with Congress and executive agencies, with a focus on broadband infrastructure, security and tax policies. Prior to joining Lumen, Mr Adkins served as Legislative Director for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), Counsel to Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA), and Director of Government Affairs for the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI).

Mr Adkins earned his JD from the University of Maryland School of Law.

Chad Breckinridge is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Cisco, based in Washington, DC. Mr Breckinridge leads the Cisco legal department’s Market Access Regulatory team, which covers export control, sanctions compliance, and several other core regulatory issues critical to Cisco’s access to markets around the world.

Prior to joining Cisco, Mr Breckinridge spent time in private practice and government in Washington, DC.

Bio coming soon …..

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.

Elham Tabassi is the Chief of Staff in the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). ITL, one of six research Laboratories within NIST, supports NIST’s mission, to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. ITL conducts fundamental and applied research in computer science and engineering, mathematics, and statistics that cultivates trust in information technology and metrology by developing and disseminating standards, measurements, and testing for interoperability, security, usability, and reliability of information systems.

As a scientist Ms Tabassi has been working on various computer vision research projects with applications in biometrics evaluation and standards since 1999. She is the principal architect of NIST Fingerprint Image Quality (NFIQ) which is now an international standard for measuring fingerprint image quality and has been deployed in many large scale biometric applications worldwide. She received the Department of Commerce Gold Medal in 2003, the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal in 2007, and 2010, ANSI’s 2012 Next Generation Award, and the Women in Biometrics Award in 2016 for her contributions to biometrics. Ms Tabassi is a member of OSAC Friction Ridge subcommittee and co-chairs FIDO Biometrics Certification working group.

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 Llansó is the Director of CDT’s Free Expression Project, where she works to promote law and policy that support Internet users’ free expression rights in the United States, Europe, and around the world. Emma’s work spans many subjects, including human trafficking, privacy and online harassment, online child safety, terrorist propaganda, and disinformation. In particular, she focuses on the capabilities and limitations of machine learning techniques and other forms of automation in content moderation and analysis of online speech.

Ms Llansó leads CDT’s work focused on protecting fundamental rights to freedom of expression and preserving strong intermediary liability protections as a core element of legal frameworks that support free expression online. This work includes legislative advocacy, amicus activity, and engagement in multistakeholder initiatives. Emma frequently shares her expertise on panels, roundtables, and other events, as well as through interviews in print, radio, television, and online.

Ms Llansó also works with user-generated content services and other stakeholders to develop content policy best practices, including meaningful transparency, appeals, and remedy procedures. Among other projects, Ms Llansó was deeply involved in the development of the Santa Clara Principles on Transparency and Accountability in Content Moderation.

Ms Llansó is a member of the Freedom Online Coalition Advisory Network, the Christchurch Call Advisory Network, and has served on the Board of the Global Network Initiative. Ms Llansó also represents CDT on the Twitch Safety Advisory Council and the Twitter Trust & Safety Council.

Ms Llansó earned a B.A. in anthropology from the University of Delaware and a J.D. from Yale Law School, and is a member of the New York State Bar. Emma joined CDT in 2009.

Evelyn Remaley is a recognized leader in the government and private sector and has spearheaded efforts throughout her career on broadband funding, cybersecurity, Internet policy and spectrum management. In her current role as Partner at Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer, Ms Remaley provides legal strategy and program management expertise to her clients across a range of communications and technology regulatory and policy matters. 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, Ms Remaley 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, cybersecurity, 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.

Bio coming soon …..

Guilherme Roschke is Counsel for International Consumer Protection at the Federal Trade Commission. His focus is on international privacy and enforcement cooperation, including EU-US data transfers, the Global Privacy Enforcement Network, and the Global Privacy Assembly. Mr Roschke is also the U.S. Delegate to the OECD’s Data Governance and Privacy working party. Previously, he was the Policy Counsel at Common Sense Media where he worked on children’s privacy, and digital literacy.

Prior to law school, Mr Roschke was a computer programmer with experience in corporate, non-profit, and scientific environments. He is a member of the District of Columbia and New York bars, and holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, a JD from The George Washington University Law School, and an LLM from Georgetown Law.

Ian Scott has over 25 years of policy and regulatory experience in broadcasting and telecommunications both in the public and private sectors.

Most recently, Mr. Scott served as the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Mr. Scott was appointed by the Governor-in-Council on July 14, 2017 and led the organization from September 2017 to January 2023.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Scott worked at the Competition Bureau in both the Regulated Industries Branch and the Mergers Branch. After working at the Competition Bureau, he joined the CRTC from 1990 to 1994, where he collaborated on the development of a framework for long-distance telephone service competition in Canada. Between 2007 and 2008, as part of the Executive Interchange Program, he was Senior Policy Advisor to the Chairman at the CRTC.

Before rejoining the CRTC in 2017, Mr. Scott held various executive positions in the communications industry, including at Telesat Canada, Telus and Call-Net Enterprises, one of the first companies to offer competition in the Canadian long-distance market. He also provided leadership on broadcasting policy and regulatory issues as an executive at the Canadian Cable Television Association.

Mr. Scott has served on various boards, including Women in Communications and Technology, the International Institute of Communications, Canadian Aerospace Association and Ski Quebec Alpin, and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from McGill University.

The Office of International Affairs is responsible for the Commission’s engagement of international regulatory authorities, including multilateral and regional organizations. As Deputy Chief, Mr Carlson coordinates the FCC’s participation and involvement in international standards-setting efforts.

Mr Carlson has recently returned to the FCC after having spent 19 years in industry – at a U.S. operator (NEXTEL, which was acquired by Sprint during Mr Carlson’s time there) and at Ericsson, heading regulatory policy in Ericsson’s Washington, D.C., office. He has been a board member of the United States Telecommunication Training Institute (USTTI) and in that capacity organized, and spoke at, multiple training sessions for officials from developing countries on the topics of spectrum policy, cybersecurity, net neutrality, and broadband buildout.

Mr Carlson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Virginia, and an Juris Doctor from the College of William and Mary School of Law.

Jay A. Schwarz is Vice President, Global Public Policy at Comcast NBCUniversal where he focuses on broadband policy at the federal, state, and local levels. Previously he held roles at the Federal Communications Commission in the Chairman’s office, the Wireline Competition Bureau, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and the Office of Strategic Planning.

Mr Schwarz holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh as well as degrees in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Bio coming soon …..

Kathryn Condello represents Lumen at the Federal level in all policy, planning and operational issues related to National Security, Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Response, Cybersecurity, Critical Infrastructure Protection, and Continuity of Operations.

Ms Condello is an operations-focused leader within Lumen and the Communications Sector, with extensive, executive-level experience in managing and directing broad corporate and industry initiatives in the areas of strategic planning, policy development, government relations, network deployment/operations, and business marketing functions. Ms Condello has more than 20 years experience in industry level initiatives associated with national security, network reliability, and emergency preparedness programs, planning and policy initiatives.

Ms Condello holds a BA from the University of Virginia, an MBA from Loyola College, served as a Principal Associate (Research Professor) with George Mason University’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Program, and is currently an Adjunct Professor with the University of New Hampshire M.S. program in Cybersecurity Policy and Risk Management. Ms Condello started her career in the public safety radio business, was one of the first commercial wireless pioneers, and gathered more than 20 years commercial wireless experience prior to joining Lumen.

Krysten Jenci is the Director of the Office of Digital Services Industries (ODSI) at the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA). As Director, Ms Jenci oversees three teams that provide expertise on a number of Internet trade policy issues. The Global Data Policy Team works to promote privacy policy frameworks to facilitate the free flow of data across borders to support trade, including through implementation and expansion of the Global Cross Border Privacy Rules system. The Privacy Shield Team leads and administers the European Union (EU)-U.S. and Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Frameworks. The Digital and Internet Services Team works on a wide range of evolving ICT services issues, including cloud computing, software and applications, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. ODSI also provides industry expertise on the negotiation of Internet-related issues in trade negotiations. Ms Jenci is a member of Commerce’s Privacy Policy Coordinating Committee, co-chair of the Digital Attaché Steering Committee, and has won several awards for her work on privacy policy issues, including an award for best supervisor/manager for her leadership in support of ITA’s mission.

Ms Jenci is a Certified Information Privacy Professional by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and was previously a member of IAPP’s Education Advisory Board. Ms Jenci is certified for the Senior Executive Service by the Office of Personnel Management, completed ITA’s Leadership Program in 2019, and completed Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation in October 2019. Ms Jenci is also a coach as part of ITA’s Coaching Cadre, is a member of the International Coaching Federation, and coaches ITA colleagues with a goal of improving employee wellness in the organization.

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.

An experienced Trustee / Non-Executive Director as Vice Chair at Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, a unique heritage site in the heart of Bristol (UK), Lynn is also a Trustee / Non-Executive Director at The Bristol and Bath (UK), Parks Foundation.

Reflecting on becoming Director General at the IIC at the outbreak of a pandemic, Lynn said, ‘these last two years have been like no other we have known, with many challenges coming our way. In 2020 we successfully pivoted the organisation through a digital transformation programme to maintain a full schedule of events and by increasing the outputs delivered. Transforming the programme enabled us to continue to deliver the professional service and increase our engagement with IIC members and stakeholder community to remain connected to them through such a difficult time.

As we move through 2022, I am delighted to return to a combined in-person and online programme and to continue to evolve the IIC in to the next phase, with the vision and strategic focus to deliver our objectives and to build on our growth, engagement and retention’.

Mark F. Dever is a partner in our Communications Practice. He was previously head of the Communications team at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. He works on major regulatory and transactional matters for the communications industry, calling on nearly 25 years of experience in the field.

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Melinda Claybaugh is a Director of Privacy Policy at Meta. Her team works to achieve Meta’s vision of globally-consistent privacy laws that protect people’s data while enabling innovation—by driving advocacy on specific legislative proposals, while also helping design policy solutions for complicated or novel issues. She previously spent 12 years at the Federal Trade Commission, where she worked in the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection on enforcement actions related to consumer privacy and data security. Ms Claybaugh later joined the Office of International Affairs, where she specialized in international privacy policy. She represented the United States in discussions at the OECD and in APEC, where she helped design global frameworks to enhance consumer privacy protections and strengthen enforcement cooperation among data protection authorities.

Nfaly Sylla is the current Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy of the Republic of Guinea.

Passionate about the development of his country, Mr Sylla actively promotes investments in the telecommunications industry and seeks to build partnerships nationally and internationally to bridge the digital divide in Guinea.

He has an extensive experience in public administration, public-private investments, and mining.

Mr Sylla previously served as Technical Assistant to the Minister of Mines and Geology with whom he worked closely to promote mining investments to Guinea from 2016 to 2021.

Mr Sylla holds a bachelor’s degree in international business management from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Florida International University.

Paula Boyd partners with colleagues to develop Microsoft’s communications policy positions and she advocates those positions before the Federal Communications Commission, Congress, and the Administration. She champions policy frameworks that advance network deployment, cloud and communications services involving issues such as broadband, 5G, subsea cables, spectrum, accessibility, mapping and robocalling.

Prior to joining Microsoft, Ms Boyd was Senior Counsel to the Senate Subcommittee on Communications. While there, she drafted legislation, developed legislative strategy, organized Subcommittee and Committee hearings and briefings, managed consideration of bills before the Committee and on the Senate floor, and advocated the Senate position in House and Senate conferences. She handled issues such as broadband deployment, spectrum management, digital television transition, and competition in the telecommunications marketplace.

Ms Boyd began her legal career at Verner, Liipfert, McPherson and Hand where she worked on a variety of issues including litigation, transportation, and communications policy. Thereafter, she joined the Office of the General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). She also worked in the International Bureau on satellite policy at the FCC.

Ms Boyd graduated from Harvard-Radcliffe College and Harvard Law School.

Peter B. Davidson has served as the VP of Global Government Relations and Policy at Intelsat since August of 2020. Prior to that he served as Deputy Dean for Strategic Initiatives at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce, SVP of Government Affairs at Verizon Communications, General Counsel of the U.S. Trade Representative, VP Government Affairs at USWEST and Qwest, General Counsel and Policy Director for the Majority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives, and Attorney-Advisor in the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice. He is a graduate of Carleton College and the University of Virginia School of Law.

Sam Grogan  is the Global Privacy Policy Analyst of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL), a preeminent global privacy and security policy think tank located in Washington, DC, London and Brussels. Sam graduated with a Bachelor of Law from University College Cork, Ireland in 2014. During law school, Mr Grogan worked with the Stanford Center for Internet & Society on global data access law and interned at Matheson, one of Ireland’s leading law firms.

After completing his degree, Mr Grogan qualified as an attorney in New York and following this completed his first LL.M. degree at Queen Mary, University of London where he concentrated in EU privacy. Afterwards, Mr Grogan worked in the privacy department of Shell Oil Company before enrolling in his second LL.M. degree at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, concentrating in US privacy. During this program, Mr Grogan conducted privacy research with Penn Law’s Center for Technology, Innovation and Competition. He is also an IAPP Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US, CIPP/E and CIPP/A).

Mr Grogan supports CIPL in preparing and editing project white papers, workshop and meeting reports, blogs, articles, public consultations, and other materials as well as monitoring global privacy developments. Additionally, his international experience in privacy helps to develop and generate new projects and ideas that further CIPL’s mission of policy impact.

Steve Lang has been the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Information and Communications Policy since November 2022. 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 as Director of both the Office of Multilateral Affairs (2017-2018) and the Office of Bilateral and Regional Affairs (2015-2017).

From 2013 to 2015, Mr Lang was the Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. Previously, 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). Prior tours include the U.S. Consulate-General in Guangzhou, China; the American Institute in Taiwan in Taipei; the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs; the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok; and the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba.

Before joining the State Department, Mr Lang worked as an economist for the Department of Labor and is a graduate of Georgetown University.