Geography: Africa

  • Helen Sithole

    Helen Sithole, the Legal and ICT Policy Officer for MISA Zimbabwe, is a dedicated legal professional with extensive experience in policy research, tech law, and information rights. Having recently completed a Master’s degree in Intellectual Property & Technology Law, she brings solidified expertise in emerging areas such as AI governance, data privacy, and digital ethics. Her background positions her as a crucial voice in shaping the future of responsible technological advancement, particularly concerning digital human rights and the intersection of technology with societal well-being. She is particularly passionate about translating complex legal concepts into accessible policy recommendations that foster innovation while safeguarding individual liberties in the digital realm.

  • Hannah Swirsky

    Hannah is the Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which works to make the internet a safer place and prevent the spread online child sexual abuse imagery globally. Hannah and her team work to positively influence policy makers, both nationally and internationally, to create and implement legislation and policy that effectively prevents and combats child sexual abuse online.

    Hannah previously worked as Public Affairs Manager for Samaritans and was named one of the 30 To Watch: Politics Awards 2023 by MHP Group. She has worked on several advocacy campaigns and began her career working in the UK Parliament as a Researcher to an MP. She holds an MSc in Human Rights from LSE.

  • Gaia Marcus

    Gaia Marcus is Director of the Ada Lovelace Institute. Prior to joining Ada, Gaia was Deputy Director (Advanced Analytics and Local Capabilities) at the Spatial Data Unit within the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). In this role, she led on ensuring that data and data-driven analysis were used to support policymaking and service delivery.

    Gaia has extensive experience of leadership roles across the civil service and the non-profit sector. In government she has held roles as Deputy Director (Strategy for the Integrated Data Service) at the Office for National Statistics, Head of Engagement for Civil Service Reform at the Cabinet Office, and Head of National Data Strategy at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

    In the non-profit sector, Gaia specialised in data strategy and participatory approaches to research, innovation and policy. This included roles at Parkinson’s UK, Centrepoint and the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. She also serves on the Samaritans’ Board of Trustees.

  • Elise Soucie Watts

    Elise is the Executive Director of Global Digital Finance (GDF), board member, and also board advisor to several firms on policy & regulatory issues. She is also the co-host of the podcast The Outside Context which considers how technology is impacting the future of civilisation.

    Previously, she was at the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME), leading Digital Assets and Data Strategy work, and prior to that she worked at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), across both their Technology, Resilience and Cyber Division. and International Division.

    Named ‘Next Generation Leader of the Year’ at the 2022 Women in Finance Awards UK, and part of the Innovate Finance Standout 45 on the Women in Fintech Powerlist 2024 as a Regulatory and Policy Expert, Elise’s dual public and private sector experience positions her to lead both regulatory advocacy and contribute technical knowledge to support the growth of the digital finance ecosystem.

  • Felicia Anthonio

    Felicia Anthonio is GlobalCampaign Manager – #KeepItOn at Access Now, an organisation which campaigns to promote digital rights and freedom of expression. The #KeepItOn Campaign is global campaign of over 345 organizations that fights against internet shutdowns. Felicia leads the coalition strategic advocacy and campaigns to mobilize and engage various stakeholders to end internet censorship around the globe. Felicia has authored and co-authored several publications on internet shutdowns and hosted the Kill Switch Podcast. Felicia is also an Advisory Council member of the US-based Open Technology Fund (OTF) and a board member of the World Expression Forum (WEXFO), in Norway.

  • Elena Sinel

  • Eleanor Hevey

    Eleanor joined the leadership team of the Centre for Long-Term Resilience in spring 2025, where she leads external relations, communications and organisational culture. She brings more than 18 years of experience as a senior policy leader, spokesperson and strategist for world-leading humanitarian organisations, research institutes and in impact philanthropy.
    Eleanor most recently served as part of the leadership team for the UK government’s flagship climate resilience and disaster risk finance initiative. She brings deep experience of public policy influencing and leading innovative cross-sector partnerships. She is accomplished in international diplomacy, negotiating intergovernmental agreements including the Sustainable Development Goals. She has led major G20, G7, COP and UN General Assembly initiatives.
    Eleanor recently completed her MBA with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, awarded the Oxford Women’s Scholarship and Best and Brightest Top 100 Global Executive MBAs 2023.

  • Dr Erin Young

    Dr. Erin Young is Head of Innovation and Technology Policy at the Institute of Directors where she leads the IoD’s policy, strategy and thought leadership work on technology, science and innovation. Before joining the IoD, Erin was Project Co-Lead and Research Fellow in Public Policy at The Alan Turing Institute, where her work influenced the UK’s National AI Strategy and AI Opportunities Action Plan. Previously, Erin held positions at the UN in Paris, WPP in London, MediaX at Stanford University, and Thomson Reuters in New York City. She sits on the Strategy Steering Board for the City of London Corporation’s Women Pivoting to Digital Taskforce and advises the Hg Foundation on AI, inequalities and skills. Erin holds a BA from the University of Cambridge, an MSc in Education (Learning and Technology) from the University of Oxford, a PGC in International Business Practice, Finance and Organisational Behaviour, and a DPhil in Science and Technology Studies from the University of Oxford.

  • Doris Li

    Doris is a technology policy leader with experience shaping regulatory approaches to emerging technologies and designing frameworks that center safety and accessibility. She is currently a Tech Policy Manager at Ofcom, where she leads projects and programs for regulating generative AI under the Online Safety Act. Prior to Ofcom, she spent several years at Meta as a Senior Product & Regulatory Operations Specialist, where she managed a global safety program to combat the abuse of content moderation systems. As Meta’s Inclusive Product Council Member, she evaluated company priority products against safety and accessibility standards to provide guidance for research, engineering, and product teams innovating in AI and the Metaverse.

    In addition to her day-to-day work, Doris is an Inclusion Advisor to Open Data Institute’s Solid Initiative, an open-source project which reimagines data use and sharing, and regularly volunteers with organisations promoting diversity in tech spaces, including Women in Data. She is passionate about bridging policy, product, and community engagement to amplify historically underrepresented voices in the development and governance of data-driven technologies.

  • Devika Malik

    Devika brings a decade and a half of experience across tech, policy and journalism to her work as an international consultant and researcher on platform governance. Previously she led Meta’s work hate speech, misinformation and violent extremism in South Asia. Based in New Delhi, Devika is working with the Council on Tech and Social Cohesion as well as the Integrity Institite on catalytic prosocial tech regulation in the Global South.