Jessica Mills is a digital policy specialist with expertise in data governance, cross-border data flows, and regulatory engagement. She has led global advocacy initiatives with governments and regulators, contributed to flagship policy reports, and coordinated multistakeholder forums on digital rights, child online protection, and telecom fraud prevention. Jessica has a strong track record of translating complex policy issues into actionable strategies and is passionate about building inclusive, rights-respecting digital ecosystems.
Geography: EU
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Jennifer Reed
As Head of the Policy Impact Unit at UCL, based within the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP) Jen oversees a broad portfolio of tech policy projects from neuromorphic computing to AI.
Her primary area however is technology-facilitated abuse (tech abuse) in relation to domestic abuse, and gender-based violence. Jen is the policy adviser for the UCL Gender and Tech Research Lab.
She has 15 years experience working in public policy, including roles within the UK Civil Service and Parliament.
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Imogen Parker
Imogen Parker is Associate Director of Social and Economic Policy at the Ada Lovelace Institute, an independent research and ethics body with a mission to ensure data and AI work for people and society. She led the scoping and development for the Institute, creating the founding partnership of the Nuffield Foundation, the Alan Turing Institute, the British Academy, Luminate, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the Royal Society, the Royal Statistical Society, techUK and Wellcome.
She was a Policy Fellow at Cambridge University’s Centre for Science and Policy and has first-class degrees from both the University of Oxford (BA, MAOxon) and the London Consortium (MRes).
She has over 15 years experience working on the intersections of social justice, policy research and technology. She worked with Baroness Kidron to create 5Rights, the children’s digital rights charity. Other roles include Head of the Nuffield Foundation’s programmes on Justice, Rights and Digital Society, acting Head of Policy Research for Citizens and Democracy at Citizens Advice head office, and Research Fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
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Hyeona Kim
I’m a mission-driven Policy & Program Manager with a global track record across tech, public affairs, and regulatory compliance. At TikTok, I’ve led governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) efforts in monetization, streamlining policy operations while navigating complex global regulations.
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Heather Xiao
I’m the Founder & CEO of Horizon Zero, a research and advisory partner helping UK and international policymakers, businesses, and entrepreneurs strategise and connect across the Open Banking, Open Finance, and Smart Data ecosystems. We support the creation of customer outcome – focused products, partnerships, and infrastructure.
Previously, I served as Product & Operations Director at Open Banking Limited (OBL) and was a member of its Executive Committee. I led OBL’s product management, trust framework, participant support, and business development. I also represented OBL in the UK Open Banking Future Entity Working Group in 2023, contributing to the next phase of the UK’s open banking strategy, contributed to Smart Data Council, and chaired the UK Open Banking Participants Forum.
I’m passionate about enabling secure, scalable, cross-sector data sharing to transform personal and business lives. Over the past decade, I’ve led open data initiatives in financial services, aviation, and consulting, building ecosystems across jurisdictions and regulatory environments. Earlier in my career, I helped global organisations define digital strategy, architect data ecosystems, and design operating models to drive transformation at scale.
At Horizon Zero, we’re currently developing a Smart Data Research Framework to help ecosystem stakeholders shape infrastructure and services that create value for customers and unlock new business models. Our recent work GlowTrack, a cross-sector prototype identifying heating vulnerability, was named a finalist in the DBT Smart Data Challenge Prize 2025.
Alongside my executive work, I advise policymakers and boards on translating open data sharing ethics, trust and inclusion into real-world infrastructure. I’m also an Honorary Research Fellow at Warwick Business School and a proud member of the Cranfield 100 Women to Watch, well positioned for non-executive roles and board appointments, including FTSE 350 companies.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.